Browsing Archive: May, 2016

Brunswick listens to a new way of thinking about redevelopment

Posted by Angel White on Tuesday, May 24, 2016,

BRUNSWICK — A meeting to help shape Brunswick’s future took place Monday inside the brick shell of the four-story former Kaplon department store. About 20 business people, elected leaders and nonprofit redevelopers considered options to fill space in the city with a combination of arts venues, small stores and places to live on any income.

Chris Velasco and Elizabeth Bowling, principals with Projects Linking Art, Community & Environment, or PLACE, shared the group’s experience around the...

Brunswick council determined to fund Maple Avenue sidewalks

Posted by Angel White on Friday, May 20, 2016,

BRUNSWICK — The Brunswick City Council and mayor agreed in budget talks on Wednesday that they want sidewalks completely along Maple Avenue sooner rather than later, and they are willing to help owners finance their responsibility to get the work done.

Mayor Karin Tome tentatively budgeted $50,000 for a loan program to help property owners fix their sidewalks as part of her proposed $4.5 million fiscal 2017 general fund budget. Councilmen Harry Lashley and Angel White were prepared to put ...

Brunswick going ahead with purchase of Potomac Street buildings

Posted by Angel White on Wednesday, May 11, 2016,

BRUNSWICK — The Brunswick City Council voted Tuesday in favor of spending $535,000 to buy two buildings on Potomac Street and considered a $4.5 million budget for next year.

Last month, the council discussed buying both 811 W. Potomac St., which is vacant, and 40-42 W. Potomac St., which houses the Brunswick Heritage Museum and Visitor Center.

The property at 811 W. Potomac belongs to the estate of Walter L. Engle and was slated for public auction before the council let the owners know of...

Economic development up, taxes down in draft Brunswick budget

Posted by Angel White on Wednesday, May 11, 2016,

BRUNSWICK — On Tuesday, the Brunswick City Council will consider Mayor Karin Tome’s proposed $4.5 million budget, which includes double the spending for economic development and no tax-rate increase.

In the proposed fiscal 2017 general fund budget, Tome included, in the economic development department budget, $75,000 for a business loan program and $18,000 for Brunswick Main Street. The proposed $252,500 for economic development is more than double this year’s $121,200.

The rest of th...