Monday, February 9, 2009

Redevelopment Authority, FROED, and Councilor Casey Play Hooky

The City Council Subcommittee for Economic Development and Tourism Committee chaired by Councilor Steve Camara met tonight to discuss ....economic development, of course, but with a particular emphasis on the future of 64 Durfee Street.

It is nice, and encouraging, to have so many like minded, enthusiastic, people anxious to revitalize the city in many ways, including the development of a 'creative economy.' It is, however, highly discouraging, yet not surprising, that the Fall River Office of Economic Development didn't bother to show up at the economic development meeting. As far as I am concerned, FROED needs all the help they can get and should be going to these meetings. No one from the Redevelopment Authority was there nor was committee member Casey....apparently the hierarchy isn't serious about Fall River's revitalization.

25 comments:

Tom Paine said...

I just scanned the HN about this meeting and found nothing on it. Was it advertised? I would like to have gone to it.

Not surprised that RDA or FROED was not there. These agencies have never really looked at the big picture at all.

I do see a problem developing once again in the city. To look at 64 Durfee street alone is like trying to put together a puzzle with only one piece.

Once again, and I know I am sounding like a broken record, we must create a "Vision Plan" for the downtown area.

What do we want to do in the city with our downtown? How will we connect it to the waterfront? Does the Quequechan River fit into this?

Without looking at the forest we will not be able to turn things around.

Anonymous said...

The mayor has already met with newport architects on a waterfront plan anyone able to elaborate??

Anonymous said...

casey is probably waiting for spring to make a "move:.

Anonymous said...

http://www.ncarchitects.com

Anonymous said...

How do we know they Mayor has talked to Newport architects?

Anonymous said...

because one of the architects was heard saying so and they seem to thing they are hopeful they are getting a job .

Anonymous said...

and they said they met with him

Anonymous said...

A female named Chris was overheard
talking about it.

Anonymous said...

she also said she may do some work with new bedford.

Anonymous said...

Overheard talking where? when? to whom?

Anonymous said...

why???? It was overheard, why do you want to know who what and where? check into it.

Anonymous said...

The point is this architect and company met with the mayor on the waterfront. Why? Is there a waterfront plan ?

Anonymous said...

How can someone "check into it" without some more specifics that can aid in the "checking into it."

Indicate a time and place of the meeting, and that would assist all of us in trying to obtain information about this meeting.

Anonymous said...

this was overheard call her http://www.ncarchitects.com

it sounded like the meeting was within the past few weeks and she was very hopeful.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, and who should I ask for...

a female named Chris that may have had a conversation overheard by others at an undisclosed place at an undisclosed time?

Anonymous said...

did you even look at the architects names she is listed
or you can provide your email address and I will send you more info.

Anonymous said...

again the point will be in hindsight when Newport Collaborative Architects show up in the news.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I looked at the contact list...

Chris Feisthamel

Kristie Gardiner

Kristine C. Royal

Anonymous said...

Royal

Anonymous said...

Where did you overhear her? In the Riva? Was she with anybody?

Anonymous said...

I keep asking is Fiola going to be part of the 24% decrease in pay all city workers are being asked to take. He seems untouchable.

Anonymous said...

No one is untouchable.

What about the architects? What's going on with that?

Anonymous said...

Are these architects looking to be hired by the city to come up with a plan for the waterfront or are they working for a developer that is going to make a proposal to the city?

Anonymous said...

It is a very small world folks,
when you hear your hometown name your ears perk up then when you hear about a meeting with the mayor
your ears really perk up then when you hear it's about a waterfront project you wonder is there some type of plan in the works that is not public knowledge yet. You are hearing this from someone just innocently talking about their work.

Anonymous said...

No other names were overheard but it is possible they were meeting on behalf of a developer.