At Least the Lady Catherine Was Launched

For one good reason or another, there was little forward progress on most topics at the Economic Development Committee meeting Monday.

The discussion about proposing an ordinance to forestall the development of "sexually oriented businesses" was tabled after committee member David Bauer asked for more time to pore over the two inch thick document the planning department distributed on the matter.

There's a lot to be gleaned from what other communities have done to discourage these businesses.

"You can't prohibit them," explained city planner Bill Warner. "But you can zone them. We can find ways to regulate these businesses without violating the Supreme Court ruling."

Warner noted, for example, that strip clubs can be required to be brightly lit inside.

"You can't have a dark strip club anymore," he said.

While there is no immediate indication that a sexually oriented business wants to move into town, Warner noted the inevitability.

"We've had dozens of inquiries, but we've been able to discourage them all," he said. "We're a city of 50,000, and every other city of 50,000 has a business like this."

There was little discussion about the ongoing battle with the current lessee of Harbor Park, Frank Marratta, who insists he is eligible for a 25 year extension to the lease, which expired months ago. The city has been negotiating with Marratta for months, and while mediation is being considered, the case goes to trial in November with Marratta seeking a judgment in his favor, and damages.

Harbor Park was also part of the discussion as the owners of the Lady Catherine cruises was granted a five-year extension of their current lease by the EDC, who sent the lease to the Common Council for a vote. The new lease increases the liability of the cruise company from $1 million to $3 million, and specifies that city seniors will continue to enjoy their cruises on the river as part of the package. In addition a water meter will be added to the site so that the city is not providing water for free.

As regards Hubbard Park and Lady Catherine, and the ongoing parking problems the two parties are having, a map was produced which demonstrates that Harbor Park controls fifty parking spaces immediately North of the restaurant, and that the far North lot, and the South lot, are public parking.

In other matters, resident Trevor Davis suggested that a group like INFORM (Industry for Middletown) be engaged to create a solution for the Remington Rand building's lack of a buyer. Several committee members suggested that a long term lease, along with state and federal money for new windows, and remediation, might create a development which would attract tenants. Davis was asked to explore the issue further.

Little progress has been made with the Midfield Corporation about a parcel on the corner of Broad and College streets. According to Warner, the owners have "unilaterally exempted themselves from restrictions on the property," hampering negotiations with the city.

The public meeting ended as the committee voted to invoke executive session, and Mayor Sebastian Giuliano joined the committee to discuss an offer the Army has made for Cucia Park. The EDC is the sole authority to negotiate with the Army in the matter.