LDNA met at LTC on a snowy 28th of January at 7PM to discuss current events.
First up was Assistant City Manager Adam Baacke.
Adam pointed out that the last of the cobra-head traffic lights downtown were being replaced with Victorian models over the next few months. He requests that people that frequent the downtown pay special attention to the lights on Palmer Street: the city has put up a few different types of LED lamps in these fixtures and is looking for input on which ones give the best lights.
The city has also enlisted two traffic-engineering firms to work out the details regarding the plans to continue the conversion of the downtown street system into a two-way system. One of the two firms is nationally known, and the other is based out of Lawrence – they were responsible for the conversion of Essex Street back to two-way a few years back.
Residents had a few questions: if it was necessary to convert the streets to one-way in the past, do the reasons for this conversion still exist? Adam explained that the prevailing mid-century philosophy was to move as many cars through a downtown as quickly as possible. The end-result was a less bike-and-pedestrian-friendly atmosphere, fewer people actually stopping to do business, and people travelling the wrong way at the wrong time of day for businesses on that street. A common example cited is a coffee shop that ends up being on many people’s return trip only. Case-in-point: The Dunkin’ Donuts on Central and Church Streets is on the way home for many downtown residents – and four traffic lights away in the AM. Also asked was if Market Street in particular would be able to handle the queueing for the Roy Garage during the AM without the second lane for through-traffic. Adam said they’d be examining that sort of thing before anything final occurred. Also, exactly how much of Merrimack Street will become two-way is still up in the air.
Next Adam discussed some downtown developments:
- 110 Canal in the Hamilton Canal District (the old Pellon/Freudenburg plant) is nearly complete and a few firms have been interested in occupying it. It is 5500 square feet
- Winn Development is finishing up work in the last section of the Boott Mill – this will include 77 units of housing with 80% of them being market rate. There will also be 43,000 square feet of commercial space.
- ALL (Arts League of Lowell) is progressing nicely with their renovations of the historic Gates Block on Market Street, across from Haffner’s.
- Many of the former Louis Saab properties have been bought up and are being redeveloped.
- New businesses include Sweet Lydia’s, a new bakery, and a new African Market all on Merrimack Street. This fills up the space Giovanni’s Trends contracted out of recently.
- Tremonte Pizzaria, an extension of Tremonte’s out of Woburn, is moving into the former Fortunato’s space at Palmer and Middle.
- Lowell Community Health Center (LCHC) is nearly ready with their 100,000 square foot new facility on Jackson Street. They also own the other 100,000 square feet of that property and are examining who will develop it.
- A nearby building on Jackson Street is being redeveloped by Winn into 80,000 square feet of housing – 52 units.
- A few years out, the final section of the Massachusetts Mills will be developed. After a partial demolition for fire-safety reasons, there will be 125 housing units put in.
Questions:
Will the River Walk be extended as part of the Mass Mills work? How about the Concord River Greenway section up by Davison Street? Yes and yes…eventually. The River Walk may be extended to Bridge Street sooner rather than later however.
Will these projects be mixed-use? Some of them, but usually requires a subsidy of some kind.
Construction quality? The city, and the new Development Services division, has worked to make sure that more construction reviews are happening so that it can be more easily assured that work is up to quality and code.
It was asked how ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) regulations affect the re-use of the upper floors of many of the old, small, elevatorless buildings downtown. A survey was proposed.
Finally, it was asked what the status was of the “Asset Buildings” by Canal Place / Market Mills. The repairs needed are currently in court with the trustee of the company who owns the buildings.
Police Report
LPD reminds everyone to use caution when using ATMs and not to be flashing wallets or cash coming into or leaving the facilities. Also, please always lock your cars. There have been a few break-ins recently, but most really weren’t broken into as the cars were simply unlocked. Also, do not leave valuables in view – they are tempting and easy targets for smash-and-grabs. There have also been a few break-ins at office buildings lately. Keep your eye out for anybody who looks out-of-place.
George Russell, Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG)
Mr Russell came to talk to us about a two-year stormwater grant aimed at improving the quality of Lowell’s water source – the Merrimack River. Many other communities downstream drink this water as well. NMCOG is talking to various neighborhood groups about what can be done.
It is important to remember that anything on a building, a road, etc that washes into a sewer drain most likely ends up at Duck Island where it must be treated. Other water, polluted with various wastes, enters the river directly or through other waterways.
What can we do downtown? Having very little control over our immediate properties, things like more permeable surfaces and fewer lawn chemicals are not on our radar. However, cleaning up after your pets, not feeding the pigeons, and helping keep rodents away by throwing away trash can all positively affect our water quality.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:25.
Greed
Stretching the Dollar
Money Burns A Whole In Your Pocket
Money Laundering
Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees
Money Talks
Possibilities