Action move makes sense for all

Editorial, Gloucester Daily Times, March 11, 2004

The impending move by Action Inc. from its headquarters on Elm Street to the former Woolworth's building at the corner of Main and Pleasant streets adds a major piece toward completing the puzzle of revitalizing Gloucester's downtown.

It is good for everybody involved.

It is good for the agency, which will consolidate its operations from two sites -- the city-owned house at 24 Elm St. and Brown's Mall next door -- into one building. The move allows it to raise most of the money it needs to pay the mortgage on the $1 million acquisition by saving $31,000 a year it was paying for rent at Brown's Mall and by collecting about $58,000 in rent for retail space it is leasing in its new building.

It is good for the city in several ways: It gives the cash-strapped local government an opportunity to narrow its budget gap by selling off 24 Elm St. for $250,000 or more. It preserves retail space at the street level, since Action Inc. will occupy the second level. The current tenants of the street-level spaces are Fun Among Us and Sports Zone.

And it is expected to bring significant added foot traffic to the area, since Action has 34 employees and about 90 home service workers.

Finally, the project should be good for Action clients, since the move is very short -- just about a block from the agency's current location, keeping it centrally located.

At least one question about the move remains unanswered. Action Executive Director William Rochford notes the agency is still looking for a way to make up a $10,000 annual shortfall to cover its loan for the building.

Such details aside, the project is an example of good communication and good will. Action has consulted the city along the way and has also offered the city the use of its main conference room. Mayor John Bell, who has been eager to put 24 Elm St. on the market, is willing to delay offering the property for sale until May to give Action time to complete its move.

With that kind of cooperation, everybody wins.

Gloucester Daily Times. This editorial appeared on page B6 of the March 11, 2004 GDT.