Author Archives: ldna

Message from the Mayor’s Office, August 24, 2012

This past week marked an important artistic, cultural and economic designation for the City of Lowell – on Tuesday the Massachusetts Cultural Council, during a meeting at the Lowell National Historical Park, approved the state’s newest Cultural District.

The Canalway Cultural District encompasses most of the city’s downtown, stretching from the Boott Mills and Boarding House Park to Worthern Street.

As defined by the MCC, a cultural district is a specific geographical area in a city or town that has a concentration of cultural facilities, activities, and assets.

Passed by the Massachusetts Legislature in 2010, the statute that created cultural districts has specific goals. They are to attract artists and cultural enterprises; encourage business and job development; establish the district as a tourist destination; preserve and reuse historic buildings; enhance property values; and foster local cultural development.

The state now has nine Cultural Districts. In addition to Lowell, other districts are located in: Natick, Concord, Shelburne Falls, Lynn, Rockport, Pittsfield, Gloucester, Hyannis, and Boston’s Fenway neighborhood.

You can read more in SUN article.

On the Lowell Connector North Bound at exit 3 (Industrial Ave.) the ramp is closed. There is a broken 12 inch drainage pipe that caused a void under the payment. We have our crews and contractor (Newport Construction) on-site beginning repairs. Vehicles can use exit 4 Plain Street and either take the Lowell Connector SB to exit 3 or use Route 110 SB (Chelmsford Street) as a detour route. We will forward updates as the repairs are completed.
Mark S. Kratman
MassDOT District 4
Asst. Operations Engineer
(781) 641-8469

Planning Board Agenda

Monday, August 20, 2012 6:30 P.M.
City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor City Hall
Public Hearing   –  Zoning Amendment: Family Daycare Use

The Lowell Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing to hear all interested persons relative to an ordinance to amend “The Code of Ordinances City of Lowell, Massachusetts,” with respect to Chapter
290, Zoning, by amending Article 13: “Table …of Accessory Uses” by changing “Family Day Care, Small” (Sec. 13j) within the DMU zoning district from “N” to “Y” and “Family Day Care, Large” (Sec. 13k) within the DMU zoning district from “N” to “SP”, adding/ clarifying definitions of “Family Day Care (Small and Large)” and “Child Care Facility”, and adding language to Sec. 4.3.3, “Home Occupation – As of Right” and Sec. 4.3.4 “Home Occupation – By Special Permit”.

The city council has scheduled a public hearing for 7 PM on August 28th.

If you live in a condominium you will need to review your condo documents regarding language specific to home business use.

SUN story…
Lynch demands two License Commission members resign

Did you know to vote in the state primary on Thursday, September 6, 2012 you MUST be registered to vote by Friday, August 17, 2012?


You can register to vote at the City of Lowell’s Election Commission at City Hall and at the Registry of Motor Vehicles or call 1-800-462-VOTE (8683) to request a mail-in form.

Story in today’s SUN – city council discussion about downtown and License Commission.

Councilors approved Mercier and Mayor Patrick Murphy’s motion requesting the City Council refer new license rules and regulations to the Public Safety subcommittee and invite a license commissioner to attend the meeting scheduled for Aug. 16, at 6:30 p.m.

The council also passed Councilor Marty Lorrey’s motion requesting Lynch work with Lavallee on expanding the police presence downtown.

I’ll add that in my opinion the city council had a very productive discussion about this issue.  You can watch the meeting on-line at  ww.ltc.og it is at the end of the meeting.

PAWTUCKETVILLE/ACRE
University Avenue Bridge
1. Pawtucket Street (days) – Water line installation requiring full road closure
Detour Salem to Merrimack (Monday and Tuesday)
2. Intersection of VFW Highway and University Avenue (days) – Water line installation requiring single lane shifts on both roads (Wednesday – Friday)
3. Pawtucket Street (nights) – National Grid Gas relocation of existing gas line to new bridge (all week)

University Crossing
Preparations for the demolition of the former St. Joseph Hospital have begun.

•Monday through Friday–7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.•Starting on Wednesday July 18th Shawmut will closing Salem Street from the Pawtucket Street intersection to the south edge of parking lot A (just North of 282 Salem Street) for the demolition of the west wing of the former St Joseph’s Hospital for a duration of 5± weeks.•A traffic management plan detouring traffic around the Salem/Pawtucket Street intersection via Bowers Street has been created and all signage will be installed and reviewed the City Traffic Engineer prior to the road closing on July 18.•Twenty-two parking spaces for Bowers Street residents as well as the residents at 282 Salem Street will be provided in UML’s parking lot B for the duration of the Salem Street closure.•Demolition of the north end of the west wing (corner of Salem & Pawtucket) will take place during weekends of July 21 and August 4 and will require shutting down the south lane of traffic on Pawtucket Street between Merrimack Street and Salem Street. A traffic management plan that has 2 police details alternating the east & west bound traffic through the one open lane is being developed.•Shawmut has flagged the Folk Festival weekend, July 28, as non-working days for this project.

VOTE 17 Ignites National Media Coverage 
UTEC’s bill to lower the voting age to 17 for Lowell municipal elections has gained traction since Secretary of State Galvin reported that changes made to the bill language have successfully addressed prior concerns around the bill’s constitutionality. 

Homefront & Battlefield: Quilts & Context in the Civil War
June 30, 2012 – November 25, 2012
FREE Super Saturday

Free Admission and special activities on Saturday, July 21, 2012
American Textile History Museum 491 Dutton Street Lowell, MA 01854

Eleni’s MCC Fashion Camp Annual Fashion Show

Thusday, July 12, 3 PM at LaBoniche