TO:              Mayor William F. Martin, Jr.

                   And

                   Members of the Lowell City Council

FROM:        Bernard F. Lynch, City Manager

DATE:         February 23, 2007

RE:                       Council Motion of 2/6/07 by Councillor Rita Mercier

“Request the City Manager and Division of Planning and Development report on the efforts to fill the vacant Ames Store on Bridge Street and the Hannaford Store on Plain Street.”

Please be advised that the Division of Planning and Development (DPD) has been working to support efforts by the property owners and brokers to lease these two properties.  Both properties have been listed on the DPD’s site finder database.  Copies of the listing information for each are attached.  Economic Development staff from DPD has also directed several potential tenants to each of these sites. 

It is our understanding from the owner of the Plain Street Plaza site that they are currently in advanced negotiations with a potential tenant and expect to reach an agreement soon.  They would not share any details with us at this time because they did not want to jeopardize the ongoing negotiations with a public announcement.

The Sunrise Plaza owners are seeking a national retailer as a tenant.  The broker for that property indicated that the owners are considering renovating the space to increase its appeal to potential tenants.

If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact me.  Thank you.