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Coming out of recessions, there are leaders and there are followers.~ While there is no denying that the global economic slump has had an impact on local economic development activity, Chelsea is poised to do something no other community around is seemingly talking about, that is break ground on several major economic development projects this construction season.~
“The underlying fundamentals here in Chelsea are still very strong,” described City Manager Jay Ash, the City’s chief economic development official.~ “Yes, it is possible that we are poised to help jumpstart the region’s economy by continuing to capitalize on our solid planning and great positioning to get a couple of significant projects out of the ground during the balance of this year.”
Among those projects Ash points to is the construction of a second major hotel in the City’s urban renewal district.~ A 100-room Hilton Homeward Suites, complete with a restaurant, bar and 200-seat function hall is currently undergoing permitting review by the City’s land use reviewers.~ According the lead developer, Christine Thomas, the Chelsea hotel is the only new start that is scheduled to take place in the area this year.
“There is something special about Chelsea, not the least of which is the manner in which Jay and his development team approach us developers.~ I’d agree that the underlying fundamentals are strong here, and I’d put at the top of those fundamentals the way Jay and the Economic Development, Zoning and Planning Boards are figuring out how to continue to attract investment in what is otherwise a difficult time to make capital flow to new starts,” advised Thomas.
“We market our ‘pro-development’ approach, and have a unified team, from the City Council and our land use boards to our various agents in our Planning, Inspectional Services, Public Works, Law and Fire Departments, all helping to advance our coordinated development activities.~ That, along with figuring out how to promote our locational advantage and our understanding of the various marketplaces in which we compete does, I believe, give us a fair shot at getting projects like the Hilton going, even in these tough economic times,” added Ash.
In addition to the Hilton, Ash says the City continues to be very impressed and supportive of the work of the Mystic Mall developers as the two cooperatively advance plans for the build-out of the old Market Basket and Walgreens space.~ Ash believes that a new retail and restaurant complex with as many as 10 outlets will be up and operational by Christmas, enhancing the economic vitality of the Everett Avenue commercial corridor and adding more than 100 jobs to the 1,000 already being offered at the new Market Basket.
“One of the keys in promoting development in tougher times is finding, encouraging and eventually partnering with quality developers.~ The Market Basket people are certainly renowned for their retailing expertise, and our new store is a great testament to that.~ However, behind the scenes, their development group is among the best I’ve ever seen.~ So, when you have visionaries like them at the table with you, it becomes a bit easier to find your way over the hurdles that leave others needing to spend more time trying to negotiate,” rationalized Ash.
A diverse portfolio is often preached by market professionals.~ Ash subscribes to that belief and has included housing development in the mix of activities about which the City has become smarter and more aggressive.~ The product of that work may result in a new development on Webster and Eastern Avenues starting this summer, while four others, three in the Box District and and a fourth on Spencer Avenue, progress through different stages, including two project openings, by the end of the year.
“There’s no doubt that Jay and his team understand what needs to happen in order to make development happen.~ The work they’re promoting in residential development, in the Box District and around the city, continues to amaze some and come as no surprise to others,” commented Ann Houston, Executive Director of Chelsea Neighborhood Developers (CND).~~ “We’re all lucky to have Jay and his team doing what they’re doing and being so very good at it.”
Ash, reflecting back on his comments about quality developers, said that working with the Ann Houston’s of the world make everyone on the development team that much smarter and successful.
“Development is a lot like chess,” compared Ash, who joked that he never thought his days as Chess Club President at Chelsea High School would turn him into an accomplished developer.~ “Pieces need to be utilized in unison and with some strategic thought about two or three or more moves in advance.~ Ann Houston gets that, Chris Thomas gets that, the Mystic Mall development team gets that and our City Council and land use boards gets that.~ As a result, our team is winning some important contests for Chelsea.”
Those wins are producing jobs, providing for a range of housing options, adding to the local tax base, cleaning up what are or could become problem properties and generally adding to Chelsea’s further rejuvenation.
“And,” hinted Ash, “there’s even bigger things on our development board.~ So, with a lot of hard work, some out-of-the-box thinking, continued cooperation and support among our development partners, an appropriate emphasis on short- and long-term development potential as the economy hopefully improves and with some good luck along the way, I do believe our development agenda will continue to deliver the types of projects that will further establish Chelsea as a regional development leader and desirable place for even greater investment.”
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