Lynn views DNC as opportunity

By Phoebe Sweet -- The Daily Item
Wednesday, July 14, 2004

LYNN -- The Greater Lynn Chamber of Commerce and city officials are planning to roll out the red carpet for commuters stopping in Lynn during the Democratic National Convention.

Lynn will be the last stop on the commuter rail for thousands of commuters during the July 26-29 convention and travelers will have to transfer from the train to buses in the city.

The chamber and city officials are planning an event tent for city departments like Community Development and the Economic Development Industrial Corporation, kiosks for local businesses and beverage and food sales during both morning and evening commute times.

The Mayo Group's Pevear Building will also bear a sign welcoming commuters to Lynn, according to chamber Executive Director Kevin Donahue.

"It's a good opportunity to put Lynn's best face forward," said Donahue. "(Commuters) will be coming into a nicely cleaned up station. The place is going to be spic and span."

The plans are still awaiting approval from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and a working group of local businesses and city leaders.

Plans should be finalized by Friday, according to Mayor Edward J. Clancy's Deputy Chief of Staff William Bochnak, who is scheduled to meet with T officials today.

He said the city is still working out details of coordinating security with the T and ensuring commuters will not experience any additional delays.

"Everyone's been pulling in the same direction," said Bochnak. He said thousands of commuters passing through Lynn's new transportation hub and across the lush lawn of North Shore Community College will give the city a "venue to talk about the positive aspects" of the city.

About 8,700 commuters pass through Lynn's station - although most remain on their trains - during a typical summer weekday. Those numbers are expected to be down to between 2,000 and 4,000 commuters during convention week, according to Bochnak.

Many Boston businesses have urged employees to take vacation or work from home during the convention to avoid the inconvenience of closed roads, diverted public transportation and traffic snarls.