Category Archives: Community Issues

Folk Festival

Posted on August 4, 2011 by | 1 comment

Remember when Folk Festival was just fun…no stress no worries or at least for those of us who only attend and do not have to do any of the hard work of planning or working or cleaning up.

Reading today’s stories in the Sun I found the statement by Acting Superintendent Deborah Freidl that the late-night crowds downtown are just a part of the event’s evolution to which officials will adjust, most important. Good point! Just 3 days prior to the commencement of the festival Chief Lavallee held a meeting and asked everyone to do what they could to make sure that after festival hours DO NOT turn into mardi gras… (or as Craig would say; Shangra-lowell) oops! I have total confidence in Captain Kennedy’s ability to evaluate the situation and make the right decision and comments from bar owners sound like they agreed too.

I know that a few bar owners did voluntarily close early all three nights due to the large crowds…therein lies the dilemma. How great that people who come to folk festival stay after to enjoy the city…and how great for all of the businesses who had to turn people away. Hopefully by next year there will be a few more neighborhood places open. So the CM’s comment about starting now to plan for next year is the right thing to do.

I do have to throw just one question out there…why did the city council approve a deal for the Smokehouse to build out the sidewalk? Did anyone provide them with information about the 11 incidents police have logged at this location (only outdone by Brian’s Ivy Hall coming in at 14)? There are many other business owners who would be eager to have the use of 4 parking spaces to build out their outdoor business but have been told no (Old Court aside; they are just to close to the corner for LFP to make the turn)…why this one?

Two stories in the SUN: http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_18615060#ixzz1U5E8Oak4

Innocent plea in Lowell Folk Festival brawl – Lowell Sun Online
LOWELL — In the midst of the Lowell Folk Festival festivities last weekend, police arrested a Lowell man after they spotted him in a group of partygoers kicking a man on the ground…
Rest of the story at SUN on-line: http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_18615061

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Posted in Bars, Community Issues, Downtown, Downtown Economy, Folk Festival, Lowell

Internet Sweepstakes Cafés

Posted on July 11, 2011 by | 1 comment

Someone sent along the stories below regarding Internet Sweepstakes Cafes. I have zero knowledge of gambling so maybe I am just last to the party on this subject. Apparently a Internet Sweepstakes Cafe will be moving into the old Olive That N More space. These places do not even require a license. Perhaps someone can send along any information about this type of establishment.

The wave of Internet Sweepstakes Cafés have been making their way across the United States and now investors in Massachusetts can now have their share of the proverbial pie.
http://internetsweepstakesforum.com/showthread.php?463-Internet-Sweepstakes-Cafes-come-to-Massachusetts

Sweepstakes Cafes Thrive, Despite Police Misgivings
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/us/07gambling.html

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Posted in Community Issues, Downtown Lowell, gambling

LIGHTS ON CRIME OFF

Posted on June 26, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Lowell residents and business owners please join Lowell Neighborhood groups and CBA for the Lights on Crime Off Campaign Kick -off and Press Event TUES June 28th 6.00 PM in front of the Lowell City Hall

In the downtown neighborhood there are a few great bright spots at night; Merrimack St. in front of LaBoniche, Mambo Grill, Trends, Humanity, even Chantilly Place on the corner of John St. has great lighting. What we need is to enlist some businesses to make an invest in our neighborhood by leaving a light on…and everyone would benefit from some light in the alleys.

Ask a Neighbor to flip on a switch and leave one light in the window. Leaving a light on overnight helps REDUCE CRIME and cost approx 7 cents a day.

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Posted in Community Issues, Crime, Downtown Lowell, Lowell, Lowell Police Department, Neighborhood Organizations

Upcoming Construction Informational Meeting – Central Street Bridge Construction

Posted on June 17, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Can you say traffic nightmare? Everyone please try to attend…even if you are still tired from Monday night Cook-out.

Construction Informational Meeting for the Central Street Bridge Construction Project.

Date: 6/28/11
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Middlesex Community College , Morse Federal Building ( 50 Kearney Square ), Assembly Room

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Posted in Community Issues, Downtown Lowell, JAM, JAMBRA, Lowell, Traffic

Lowell Sustainability Week

Posted on May 25, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Updated schedule can be found here.

http://lowell.org/Pages/sustainabilityweek.aspx

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Posted in Community Gardens, Community Issues, Concord River;, conservation, Education, Fundraiser; Keep Lowell Beautiful, LivingGreen, Lowell, Neighborhood Organizations, Sustainability

Jackson St. Improvements

Posted on May 13, 2011 by | Leave a comment

It’s difficult to believe that by fall you’ll be walking down a sidewalk on a tree lined Jackson St. How sweet is that!

NOTICE: Starting Monday, May 23, 2011, Jackson Street will be converted to one-way traffic from Marston Street to Central Street in order to complete the pedestrian and streetscape improvements along this stretch of roadway. Construction will last approximately 1-2 months.

As can be seen, the Jackson Street and Canal Street Bridge Improvement Project is underway! To date, work has included selective demolition, site preparation, and utility relocation/connection activities, among others. The next step in the project is to focus construction on the north side of Jackson Street from Marston Street to Central Street (in front of the Early Garage to Central Street ).

Because this work requires extensive excavation of a significant portion of the roadway, the City will be restricting Jackson Street to one-way traffic from Marston Street to Central Street to complete this portion of the project (approximately 1-2 months). This will allow the contractor to most efficiently and safely complete the improvements along this stretch of Jackson Street .

City Police, DPD, Traffic, and Engineering staff are currently working closely with the project’s contractor to ensure the traffic plan is properly and safely signed, marketed, and implemented.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for your patience during the completion of this neighborhood improvement project!

James Errickson | Urban Renewal Project Manager
The City of Lowell
Department of Planning & Development
50 Arcand Drive | Lowell , MA 01852
t: 978.446.7200 | f: 978.970.4262 | www.Lowell.org

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Posted in Community Issues, Hamilton Canal District, JAM, JAMBRA, Neighborhood Improvements, Traffic

Notes from License Commission Meeting Thursday

Posted on May 13, 2011 by | Leave a comment

License Commission Meeting Thursday
http://ltc.org/schedule/municipal/license_commission
It’s a long meeting so skip forward to about 55 minutes. We will soon have two new bars in the neighborhood.

All Star Lounge former home of C’est on the corner of Merrimack and Kirk St. You be the judge…watch the video and see if you can tell what type of place they are planning. I couldn’t tell. Interesting fact; the President is David Cruz former manager of El Rincon. I will say the owners have been given fair warning by the commissioner’s to manage the place well.

Fuse Bistro, Scott Pelletier, Manager. Palmer St. formerly Caffe’ Paradiso.
I think the most important thing about this location being open again is this once vibrant section on the neighborhood will no longer be dead and dark. I am optimistic some of life will be “fused” (no pun intended) back in the block.

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Posted in Bars, Community Issues, Downtown Economy, Downtown Lowell

Posted on May 6, 2011 by | Leave a comment

SUN story about city proposal to impose security requirements for owners with large cache of firearms.


“Secure storage of the guns should help prevent thefts, and the alarm systems would enable police to respond quickly to potential thefts and keep the guns out of criminals’ hands, said Lavallee”.
http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_18007364

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Posted in City Council, Community Issues, Community Problems, Lowell Police Department

City Survey

Posted on May 4, 2011 by | Leave a comment

A message from Neighborhood Planner Allegra Williams.
The city has hired a consultant to begin conducting randomized telephone surveys with Lowell residents over the next several weeks. The survey will take just 10 minutes of your time and will provide you with a way to share your views on Lowell’s transportation system, public services, job opportunities, housing quality, and so forth. Your feedback will help inform future policy decisions, so we hope you will participate!

Allegra Williams Neighborhood Planner
Department of Planning and Development
The City of Lowell
375 Merrimack Street Lowell, MA 01852
t: 978.446.7200 x1473 f: 978.446.7103

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Posted in Community Issues, Community Problems, commuting

TONIGHT

Posted on April 4, 2011 by | Leave a comment

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Posted in Community Issues, Lowell Police Department, MCC, UTEC