And On Wednesday, Business Leaders Liked What They Heard

On Tuesday the downtown business community pleaded its case against a split tax rate in an emotional night before the Reading Select Board. On Wednesday at the Reading Public Library many of the same business leaders attended the town's Downtown Economic Development Community Meeting.

While Tuesday's events produced a disappointing result for the business community - the Select Board approved a split tax rate - Wednesday in the community room the 60 in attendance heard the town's efforts to bring more people to downtown.

"Downtown is a living, breathing place," said Julie Mercier, Reading's Community Development Director. "It's the heartbeat of the community."

Select Board member Barry Berman, who voted in support of the split tax rate Tuesday, welcomed those in attendance, saying the "meeting was designed for you to talk to us."

He then turned the mic over to Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, who began with news. LeLacheur said the Peabody engineering firm of Weston & Sampson was moving its 250 employees into the space previously occupied by Keurig on Walkers Brook Drive. According to LeLacheur the company is making the move because of the area's restaurants, the proximity to Lake Quannapowitt and the Reading Commuter Rail.

State Senator Jason Lewis then spoke, praising Reading's efforts in housing along with its efforts to promote its downtown. "At the state level we are very aware of the challenges our downtowns face," said Lewis.

Next up was Matt Smith, a parking consultant with Nelson Nygaard. So, before you read the answer, how many parking spaces does Reading have in the downtown area? If you guessed 3,400 you'd be right. But here's a guess you didn't.

Smith spoke on the most recent parking study his firm did, the first coming in 2008. Like 2008, he found Reading's greatest use came between 10:30 and noon. His report included numerous short and long term suggestions including enhanced parking signage, an adjustment to the time limits, and even smart meters. An improved biking network, a look at the one-way streets around Haven Street, and Uber/Lyft/Taxi drop zones were also discussed.

Economic Development Liaison Jessie Wyman then discussed wayfinding and branding efforts. Bottom line, you'll soon be seeing more orange and blue signs around the downtown area, welcoming visitors to town and directing them where to park.

Mercier then updated the group on development projects in town and initiatives in the pipeline. In total, projects in the downtown area will create more than 200 residential units, bring more people to the downtown businesses.