TO:                  Mayor William F. Martin, Jr.

                                    And

                        Members of the Lowell City Council

FROM:            Bernard F. Lynch, City Manager

DATE:             May 3, 2007

SUBJECT:       COUNCIL MOTION OF 4/24/2007 BY COUNCILLOR ARMAND MERCIER

“REQUEST THE CITY MANAGER TO REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THE JAM AREA GARAGE”.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Please be advised that I have been in contact with Matt Coggins, DPD Director, regarding the above mentioned motion.  Matt informed me that the construction of the JAM Parking Structure is proceeding with no significant impacts to cost or schedule.  The erection of the precast concrete structure began in late February.  To date, approximately 70% of the precast pieces have been erected, resulting in visually dramatic changes at the construction site.  Precast erection is expected to be completed by early June.  Electricians and plumbers have begun work inside the structure and the remaining tradespeople will be mobilizing as the precast work nears completion.   Based on current schedule projections, the facility should open no later than December 2007.  

DPD staff has fielded several inquiries from parties who are potentially interested in leasing portions of the ground floor commercial space in the building.  DPD will be working with local brokers to establish fair market rents for this space and begin a marketing effort to promote it during the month of May. 

Due to the availability of vacant land in the Hamilton Canal District for temporary parking and construction staging, the impacts of construction activity in the neighborhood have been substantially mitigated.  DPD and Parking Department staff have also been in regular communication with members of the JAM Business and Residents Association and other neighbors throughout construction to satisfactorily address minor issues as they arise.

Progress photographs of the construction site taken on Tuesday April 24, 2007 are attached.  Should you have any questions about the progress of this project, please do not hesitate to contact Deputy Director Adam Baacke at 978-446-7200.

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