Dennis MA Economic Development

645 Main Street Dennisport

Daniel Fortier — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:55:48 +0000

Many of you are probably wondering about what is going on at the former Karl’s Landmark property. There is a new owner. the owner is trying to attract an outdoor artisan market to the property. The concept, as described in the application and to staff, is to place a tent to the rear of the parking lot. under this tent will be up to fifty merchant kiosks. These kiosks could range from art dealers to push carts for local merchants.

At the last discussion held with Planning, Engineering, Police and Fire, there would be a single tent in the nature of a wedding tent. While the tent sides can be lowered, the parking lot side and the side directly opposite the parking lot would allow for police visibility even when the sides are lowered.

Fencing on the site remains a contentious issue. The approved site plan for the restaurant from the mid-1990′s did not include a fence. While security fencing may be necessary for the perimeter of the outdoor artisan market area, the current enclosure of the entire site is not conducive to village cohesiveness. The nature of the fencing also precludes Police access to the rear parking area and the proposed market area. Staff has recommended changes to a portion of site fencing, these include:

Chain link or stockade fencing restricted to around the artisan market area and along the southerly residential boundaries;
Shorter, more inviting, split rail fencing along the property line withe the Library;
A gate to allow pedestrian access between the Library and site will be recommended;
The South Street driveway shall not be gated to allow Police access to the rear of the site;
The Route 28 driveway will be allowed to be gated after closure of the site; and
We are still open to suggestions regarding fencing along the Pastiche property boundary.

As there have been late night issues regarding use of the parking lot by nearby clubs, staff will recommend posting the site as being reserved for customers/employees of the property.

As we are dealing with issues related to the previously approved site plan for this property along with the proposed outdoor artisan market, many of these recommendations apply to correcting the existing site issues regardless of what might happen with the market proposal.

The most recent site plan can be found below.

Grand Cove on Route 28 West Dennis

Daniel Fortier — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:50:57 +0000

Two weeks ago I gave you the teaser, below are photos illustrating the progress to date on the redevelopment of the former Christine’s Nightclub. The site is soon to become a mixed use commercial plaza containing retail and restaurant space. With the new Hummingbird Garden Center next door, this stretch of Route 28 is beginning to look better and better to those travelling along Route 28 as well as to the local businesses who have had to deal with vacant commercial properties in this location for so long.

What the future holds:

Hummingbird Garden Center – A Huge Boost For West Dennis

Daniel Fortier — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 03:04:24 +0000

Last summer Hummingbird Garden Center opened in West Dennis. The new owners have brought some big dreams to the village, and hopes to introduce many new opportunities for village residents. Along with reopening the Garden Center, the owner hopes to host Farmers Markets and Craft Shows on the property. Also, the owner has permission to convert the residence on the site into a coffee and ice cream shop. Finally, the greenhouses on the site are soon to be used for sea salt farming. Two entrepreneurs have permission to use these structures to evaporate sea water to harvest sea salt. Bringing a modern “salt works” back to Dennis. Stop by Hummingbird Garden Center and welcome the new investors to West Dennis!

AAA Reader Review Rates Dennisport

Daniel Fortier — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 16:49:53 +0000

From the March 2013 issue of AAA Southern New England:

Thanks for the support!

Article: All Placemaking is Creative: How a Shared Focus on Place Builds Vibrant Destinations

Daniel Fortier — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 21:42:59 +0000

The article linked below got me to thinking about our revitalization efforts in Dennisport and all the amazing people I have had the pleasure to work with on getting the village back to where it is today. The original seeds for the success we are beginning to experience dates back to efforts by the earliest Dennisport Revitalization Committee members including Joe Lebel and Cliff Metcalf, whose efforts predate my arrival to more recent Committee Members Don Robitaille, Tom Huettner and Carlyn Carey. The DRC and the Planning Department have worked hard making Dennisport a place where everyone feels ownership of the “place” and feel welcome. We still have lots of ideas, and hope to continue attracting everyone back to Dennisport. —————————————————- All Placemaking is Creative: How a Shared Focus on Place Builds Vibrant Destinations http://www.pps.org/blog/placemaking-as-community-creativity-how-a-shared-focus-on-place-builds-vibrant-destinations/

Flood Map Update

Daniel Fortier — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 23:10:44 +0000

On Monday February 25th town staff will meet with state and federal officials to discuss the status of the newest flood maps for Dennis. I expect we will get our first glimpse at these maps at that time and learn about the process for public review. As soon as I can digest the information I will post an update.

I anticipate we are working towards a May 2014 Town Meeting adoption of these maps as part of the Dennis Flood Plain Zoning.

Article: Rent Out Your Empty Desks With This Airbnb For Office Space

Daniel Fortier — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 05:28:20 +0000

Could empty storefronts be affordably equipped for incubator co-work sites? Something to think about. Rent Out Your Empty Desks With This Airbnb For Office Space http://www.fastcoexist.com/1681390/rent-out-your-empty-desks-with-this-airbnb-for-office-space

Article: Real Estate Trends: Buyers Seeking Walkable Communities; Vibrant Downtowns

Daniel Fortier — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 21:33:53 +0000

Real Estate Trends: Buyers Seeking Walkable Communities; Vibrant Downtowns http://glenellyn.patch.com/articles/real-estate-trends-buyers-seeking-walkable-communities-vibrant-downtowns The reinvestment that has occurred in Dennisport, between the Library and the efforts of Summit Realty Partnership, has made Dennisport a vibrant downtown. Now all we need is a village oriented food store to complete the offerings.

Article: Why Libraries Should Be the Next Great Start-Up Incubators

Daniel Fortier — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 04:09:35 +0000

The Dennis Public Library has long served as an anchor for Dennisport Village Center, could it also serve as the next step in the economic future of the village? Why Libraries Should Be the Next Great Start-Up Incubators http://www.theatlanticcities.com/jobs-and-economy/2013/02/why-libraries-should-be-next-great-startup-incubators/4733/

Article: Housing holds key to full job growth rebound

Daniel Fortier — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:38:50 +0000

Housing holds key to full job growth rebound http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/02/15/housing-jobs-recovery/1922247/ During the Selectmen’s Meeting on February 7th, Rob Brennan highlighted the extended economic benefits of the Heritage Sands project. He noted that, beyond property tax benefits, each new cottage will involve local construction jobs and furnishing of the units. The linked USA Today article highlights this on a national scale.