TO:              Mayor William F. Martin, Jr.

                             And

                   Members of the Lowell City Council

FROM:        Bernard F. Lynch, City Manager

DATE:         March 22, 2007

RE:                        Council Motion of 3/13/07 by Councillor Donoghue

“Request the City Manager report on the status of the business located at 43 Market Street.”

Please be advised that I have been in contact with Matt Coggins, DPD Director, regarding the above mentioned motion.  Matt stated that the staff from the Division of Planning and Development (DPD) has maintained regular contact with Mr. Thomas McElhinney, the property owner of 43 Market Street.  43 Market Street was formerly the site of Moe’s Furniture, which closed approximately two years ago when the owner of the business passed away, leaving the store filled with a mixture of used items and trash.  Mr. McElhinney has been selling and disposing of the material left in the store by the former owners of Moe’s.  He has informed us that he has removed six dumpsters full of trash in the past four months alone.

Mr. McElhinney has also been actively marketing the property.  It is our understanding that established North Shore business owners is in advanced negotiations to lease or purchase the building and open a new business.  DPD staff have met with the business owner and provided information on various financial incentives that are available to support the proposed venture.

I hope you find this information helpful and if you have any questions, please let me know.  Thank you.