Revere counts successes, looks to future development

REVERE – Bumps in the city’s business expansion left by a July tornado and Suffolk Downs’ uncertain future could get smoothed, city leaders hope, with help from two economic development proposals by Mayor Daniel Rizzo.Rizzo wants to help potential local developers go online to streamline their Revere projects, and he is bringing government officials and business leaders to the city on Nov. 21 to talk about economic development.The morning meeting in the Showcase Cinema on Squire Road will highlight city successes, including a Nov. 1 Market Basket store opening and new construction on Ocean Avenue, and the city’s favorable location for development.”Our proximity to Logan International Airport and Boston is an asset,” said Revere Chamber of Commerce President Robert Upton.Upton said the state gambling commission’s decision to not approve a Suffolk casino license is a “disappointment – but we have to move on,” he said.Mayoral top aide Miles Lang-Kennedy said Rizzo is focused on helping Suffolk workers facing unemployment even as he looks at long-term development ideas. Lang-Kennedy said Rizzo has spoken to Arthur T. Demoulas about opportunities for Suffolk employees to work in a new Market Basket store scheduled to open in Revere on Nov. 1.”There’s about 100 families who work at Suffolk and, starting next month, won’t have jobs,” Lang-Kennedy said.Rizzo in a statement announcing the Nov. 21 summit listed “recent success stories” defining Revere’s economic development progress, including the local Market Basket as well as a proposed local Harley Davidson store and downtown improvement work.”Revere’s long-term plan and path forward towards future growth and prosperity may not be a simple one, but it is one that in the end makes our city better and stronger for residents, businesses and visitors,” Rizzo stated.City officials are joining Chelsea, Saugus and Winthrop officials in seeking a state grant to give people interested in starting or expanding local businesses an online “development portal.” Grant winners will be announced at the end of the month.Using the portal, business people could go online to browse vacant land in the city potentially favorable for development and get a quick look at the steps required to initially submit development plans for review by local planning officials.”It streamlines the process,” Lang-Kennedy said.Upton said the Nov. 21 summit and the opportunity for developers to view potential project sites in the city helps set the stage for “open” discussions on future uses for Suffolk Downs and Wonderland Greyhound Park.