What's Next for Downtown Lynn?

Team of Advisors

The project's Team of Advisors met three times: on November 21, 2012, February 12, 2013, and April 10, 2013. The City of Lynn Department of Community Development, Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development, and MAPC identified community leaders that could provide diverse, informed perspectives on Downtown Lynn quality of life, land use planning, and real estate development issues. Meetings were held on weekday mornings. Membership on the "Team of Advisors" was loosely defined; outreach was primarily by invitation, but participation was open to anyone with interest. Not all who were interested were able to attend meetings; we incorporated their input through one-on-one or small group interviews. Participants who attended one or more of these meetings are listed below, along with links to meeting notes, presentations, and other materials.

Team of Advisors Co-Chairs:

• City of Lynn Department of Community Development: Director of Project Operations Don Walker (Team of Advisors Co-Chair)
• Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development: Planning and Development Specialist Jeff Weeden

Team of Advisors Meeting Participants:

• Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, City of Lynn Mayor’s Office
• Jamie Cerulli, Chief of Staff, City of Lynn Mayor’s Office
• James Cowdell, Executive Director, Lynn Economic Development and Industrial Corporation
• William Bochnak, Project Coordinator, Lynn Economic Development and Industrial Corporation
• Michael Donovan, Inspectional Services Chief and Building Commissioner, City of Lynn Inspectional Services
• Ralph Sevinor, Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce Immediate Past Chairman, Founder and President of Wayne Alarm Systems
• Taso Nikolakopoulos, Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce Vice Chairman and Government Affairs Committee Chair, Owner and President of John’s Roast Beef and Seafood
• Lou Markakis, real estate consultant and Producer/Host, North Shore 100, BostonNorth.tv
• Christopher Bibby, Bibby Real Estate Corp.
• Gordon Hall, President and CEO, The Hall Company, Inc. Real Estate Owners, Managers and Developers
• John Olson, President, Columbia Insurance Agency, Inc.
• Kit Jenkins, Executive Director, RAW Art Works
• Catherine Anderson, Special Assistant to the President, President's Office, North Shore Community College
• Daniel Cahill, Councilor At Large (2012-2013), Lynn City Council
• Brendan Crighton, Ward 5 Councilor (2012-2013), Lynn City Council
• Carly McClain, New Lynn Organizer, New Lynn Coalition
• Jeffrey Crosby, President of the North Shore Labor Council, New Lynn Coalition
• Steven Godfrey, Executive Director, Community Minority Cultural Center Community Development Corporation
• Corey Jackson, President, Managing Director, and Producing Arts Director, Arts After Hours and DowntownLynn.com blog founder
• Julie Menendez, Senior Member Services Representative, Community Credit Union
• Steven Smalley, Legislative Aide, Office of Senator Thomas M. McGee

Team of Advisors Kickoff Meeting, November 21, 2012: The first Team of Advisors meeting included an overview of the project and initial analysis of Downtown Lynn, including MAPC's review of previous plans and tax assessment data. For more information, please review the invitation, agenda, and notes and click through the slideshow and presentation shown on the right.

Team of Advisors Meeting 2, February 12, 2013: The second Team of Advisors meeting included a discussion of the city's zoning and development needs, as well as discussion about community engagement strategies for the project. For more information, please review the agenda, discussion materials, and notes and the presentation shown on the right.

Team of Advisors Meeting 3, April 10, 2013: The third Team of Advisors meeting included an update on who MAPC had met with to date and shared highlights about what we heard from those we interviewed regarding community leadership and coordination, development successes and challenges, Downtown assets and challenges. We also discussed the upcoming Downtown Lynn Data Walk. For more information, please review the meeting agenda and notes and the presentation shown on the right.