Category Archives: Downtown Lowell

June 23 – Meeting Minutes

Date: June 23, 2025

Location: LTC

Meeting Called to Order: 7:04 PM by President Laura Lamarre Anderson

1. Approval of Minutes

– Motion to approve the April meeting minutes was made, seconded, and unanimously approved.

2. Treasurer’s Report – Presented by Treasurer Greene

– Current balance: $2,302.29

– No deposits or withdrawals this month.

– Due to Enterprise Bank’s acquisition by Rockland Trust, the DTCA account will be moved. No structural changes are expected.

3. Public Safety Update – Lt. Dawn Beauchense, Lowell Police Department

– Reminder to use the 311 app for non-emergency reports.

– Tips regarding illegal off-road vehicles should be sent to bikertips@lowellma.gov.

– Aggravated assaults have decreased; overall crime numbers are down.

– 201 Canal Street burglary: Warrant obtained.

– Favor Street: 3 repeat offenders arrested for breaking into a vacant home.

– 3 vehicle break-ins reported; details shared at the meeting.

– Mental health crisis at Mass Mills Drive addressed.

– Vehicle crackdown resulted in the confiscation of 21 dirt bikes, 3 scooters, and other illegal vehicles. 5 arrests made.

– Officers have completed a bicycle enforcement training course.

4. Lowell National Historical Park / Folk Festival Updates – Park Ranger Marcos

– Volunteer applications for the Folk Festival are open online.

– Festival will feature 4 stages with food vendors at JFK Plaza and Boarding House Park.

– Market Street will host food vendors on Saturday.

– Two smaller stages will remain open until 7:30 PM and 8:30 PM.

– On Sunday, three stages will close around 5 PM; Boarding House Park closes at 6:45 PM.

– New: Family programming will move to Merrimack Street.

– Visitor Center remains closed; expected to reopen mid-July.

– Canal tours: Thurs–Sun; River boat tour: Fri–Sun at 4 PM.

– Walking tours: Mon–Tues; Trolley tours: Wed–Sat.

– Reservations available at rec.gov.

5. Election Season Discussion

– City Council Candidate Sean McDonough introduced himself.

– Advocates for downtown representation, better parks, sidewalk repair, and parking reform.

– Residents encouraged to verify voter registration status at www.sec.state.ma.us.

– Market Street building (former Align CU) proposed as new home for Planning & Development.

– Frees up space at JFK Plaza for Police Department and renovation.

– Health Department may relocate, saving rental costs.

– Parking ordinance update remains pending; City Council is awaiting final ordinance drafts.

6. Legislative Update – Rep. Vanna Howard

– Sales Tax Holiday announced for August 10–11, 2025.

– Residents can follow legislation and submit testimony at malegislature.gov.

– Contact: vanna.howard@mahouse.gov

7. Association Business

– No LDNA meeting in July due to the Folk Festival.

  • Next meeting scheduled for August 25
  • Collecting questions from residents for upcoming candidate forums.
  • Suggestions for spending association funds are welcome via email or at the next meeting.

8. Adjournment

– Motion to adjourn made at 8:10 PM, seconded, and approved.

– Meeting adjourned.

License Commission Meeting

Liquor license pulled for 2 days
Jen Meyers has details of the meeting. As always thanks Jen!

This is one of those times when you get to give credit where credit is due.
Once-upon-a-time…seems like 100 years ago I wrote this about a License Commission meeting.

I was still at work last night and listening on LTC and all-the-while thinking that this incident at the Trainview was 1. well documented 2. well investigated 3. well represented at the meeting 4. treated appropriately and fairly by the License Commission 5. The manager in charge was honest about the events of that evening.

I am not lawyer but I thought the Commissioner’s where very cautious to seperate the individual charges and made their decisions based on the law pertaining to each. In the end the Commissioner’s suspended the license for 7 days…the Trainview will be closed May -2, a Tuesday and Wednesday with the remaining days suspended for 1 year (just in case they have another incident). Hardly a harsh punishment; more of a warning to comply with the law.

Downtown Demographics Myth

There is a lot being said about downtown demographics the past few days…as you might suspect it all started with a SUN story about tenants being paid to move out of complex…
http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_20103832

People who have some actual facts commented
http://mindtivo.blogspot.com/

and some opinion….
http://www.leftinlowell.com/2012/03/05/poverty-is-big-business/

You be the judge and certainly take the opportunity to add your opinion.

If you want more facts please go to the Salem State-ONE Lowell study at
http://dgl.salemstate.edu/geography/Profs/luna/projects/2010_01Spring/GPH903/LowellVoterReport2010reduced.pdf

LICENSE COMMISSION MEETING THURSDAY

Today’s SUN has an aritcle about this weeks meeting and the charges being brought against downtown establishments.

Can we be optimistic that the License Commission will deliver the approriate action for these violations? Considering the attendance at City Council special meeting we can certainly say that we encourage them to do so.

The License Commission agenda is not published as yet but they have another 5 hours to get it done before the deadline per the regulations.

Agenda for License Commission on March 08, 2012, 03:00 PM (pertinent parts)
-Corey Belanger of Major’s Pub, CB Enterprises, Inc., sound system for band, disc jockey, St. Patrick’s Day celebration, Saturday, March 17, 2012, 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., enclosed tent in front of 34 Jackson Street
Public hearing on the application for alteration of premises by The Middle Street Village Inc., d/b/a Village Smokehouse, all alcoholic beverages Restaurant licensee 92-98 Middle Street. (this is for outdoor seating)
-Hearing on the allegations of misconduct as charged by Kenneth E. Lavallee, Superintendent of Police, against J & I Restaurant Incorporated, d/b/a Fortunato’s, Yousef A. Ayyub, Manager, all alcoholic beverages Restaurant licensee at 44 Palmer Street.
-Communications/reports; From Kenneth E. Lavallee, Superintendent of Police
J & I Restaurant Incorporated, d/b/a Fortunato’s, all alcoholic beverages Restaurant licensee at 44 Palmer Street – disturbance on the licensed premises the morning of February 10, 2012, review public need in accordance with section 12 of chapter 138, MGL, to decrease hours for the sales of alcoholic beverages during the calendar week from 2:00 a.m. to 11 p.m.
-The Middle Street Village, Inc., d/b/a The Village Smokehouse, all alcoholic beverages Restaurant licensee at 92-98 Middle Street – sales of alcoholic beverages to two (2) intoxicated patrons the morning of February 4, 2012
-From Robert Marsilia, Building Commissioner, dated February 23, 2012 re: Fortunato’s/Forty Four at Fortunato’s/Club 44

SNOW EMERGENCY PARKING BAN

Snow Emergency – Parking Ban – is being LIFTED immediately – March 1, 2012 – 1:57 PM.

The next LDNA meeting will be held Monday, February 27th, 7PM at LTC, 246 Market St.

We have only one agenda item: Election of Officers. If anyone is interested in a position on the board please let me know or we are happy to accept nominations from the floor. Current officers: President, Kathleen Marcin; Vice-President, Stephen Greene; Secretary, Adam Jensen; Treasurer Greg Page.

7:30- 9:00 we will convene to the Worthen, 2nd floor. Penny Hamourgas, owner Worthen, Brian Mcinerney owner Hookslide Kelly’s and Bobby Tugyiele, President, Center City Committee have made arrangements for a Downtown business and residents social. This will be a nice opportunity to gather in a less formal setting.

THURSDAY

Athenian Corner Restaurant is pleased to present another Concert in the Corner, Thursday February 16th. Enjoy the music of Lowell favorite Todd Rourke, as he belts out his repertoire of adult contemporary hits. -Feb. 16, 8pm.

More information: www.atheniancorner.com

COMMUNITY YOGA CLASS

There will be another community yoga class held in the gymnasium of Lowell’s Abraham Lincoln School (300 Chelmsford Street) this coming Wednesday, Feb. 15th from 6 – 7 PM.

As usual, please bring your own mats. Donations are accepted but there is no fee. Please contact Lydia Sisson (lysisson@gmail.com) or myself with any additional questions.

Spread the word!

About last night…and all the other nights

Here’s a thought…everyone who has commented or has a suggestion on how we find balance…and by balance I mean let’s keep everyone in business (but hold them accountable for compliance with existing regulations) and keep residents from moving (because the city does not need another round of empty buildings)…consider attending the meeting on Thursday night so we can have a constructive conversation about our neighborhood. No rants…no pointing fingers…this is a great neighborhood and a great city…and it should be open for everyone to share. In the meantime GET OUT AND ENJOY WINTERFEST! There is soup and hot chocolate to be tasted and Human Sled Dog races to be run…kids skating at the Arena…we’ll pick this up again next week.