A recent discussion about branding raised the idea of creating a name for downtown Lowell. Much like people know right away where SOHO or TRIBECA is, and what attractions are there, downtown Lowell could benefit from this type of identification. Molly Sheehy of Middlesex College has been a leading proponent of naming various parts of the city in this manner, suggesting names like the Arts District or the Sports District or perhaps something more catchy.
Of course, we already have the JAM Area and the Hamilton Canal District (HAMCAN?) and we could highlight areas like Middle and Palmer Streets (MIPA?), the arena and ballpark area (SPORTSTOWN?), or the concentration of museums along Shattuck Street (THE MUSE?), or tying all the museums together in a Lowell Organization Of Museums (LOOM?), connected by, of course, a Shuttle Bus.
But maybe we need something to tie it all together. Some recent suggestions include DOWNLOW, as in “What’s the lowdown on the downlow?” Or something to highlight the Food, Arts, Culture and Shopping available (FACS?).
Lowell is fortunate to have a dedicated work crew who sweeps and cleans the downtown every day in good or bad weather. The DPW workers pick up the trash and cigarette butts on the sidewalks and streets and generally make the downtown shine. Anyone who spends any time in the downtown has seen these workers perform their tasks and some may take them for granted, but it would be a nice thing to occasionally say thank you to them and commend them for a job well done.
WIFI in Downtown
The idea of having free WIFI in the downtown was brought up during the Downtown Summit that was conducted last year. The idea is that a free wireless connection in the downtown will attract more people to come here to dine or to shop. A few isolated businesses provide a signal in or near their premises, but a wider area that has the same signal, so folks don’t have to log on and off every time they move from one location to another, would be a draw.
The City asked its Information Technology Department to look into it and they began testing some equipment and determining the cost and scope of the project. It quickly became apparent that a non-profit partner that could operate and manage such a network while applying for grants and other funding would be needed. Such a partner was found in the Lowell Telecommunications Corp. (LTC) who has agreed to work on the issue with the City.
Ellie Pye, Executive Director of the LTC, and Miran Fernandez, Chief Information Officer of the City of Lowell recently met with the Center City Committee to talk about the project. Ellie stated that WIFI access will grow organically and slowly, as different pockets obtain access. She said LTC is definitely interested in the possibilities.
Miran said that the signal strength, or bandwidth, would probably not be enough for high-level users such as “gamers” or people who are downloading large files, but would be adequate for folks to check their email, find directions and maps, and other such activities.
The equipment needed to connect to the internet and generate the signal throughout the downtown, while somewhat expensive, represents a one-time cost that might be obtained by LTC through grants. The National Park has given its OK to put up signal generating equipment on their buildings. However, brick buildings can be a problem as they absorb the signal. Recurring costs would include a monthly charge for the internet connection and staff to manage the network. Estimating costs is difficult since it will depend on how much the WIFI is being used. It may be possible to work with businesses or institutions that are already providing a signal so they could pool their resources and expand the area of coverage.
This project is still has a long way to go to provide the service but progress is being made.
The annual party to welcome new residents and others to Lowell was held at its new venue behind the Doubletree Hotel along the canal and had the largest turnout to date. Six restaurants participated with free food and a band from UMass Lowell provided music. The NPS sponsored canal boat rides were a big hit. The space was long and narrow with entertainment at one end and exhibitors along the canal, so visitors worked their way from one end to the other and back several times during the evening. The Committee is planning to continue its work and is considering how to get information useful to newcomers posted on a website so they don’t have to wait a whole year to find out what is happening in Lowell.
Area developer and property owner Jim Lichoulas the 3rd. recently visited the Center City Committee and talked about some of his plans to develop buildings he owns outside the Hamilton Canal District but within the JAM Area itself. Jim is not to be confused with his father, Jim Lichoulas the 2nd. who has been at odds with the City over some of the buildings he owns that are in the HDC.
Jim the 3rd has taken over some of the family property on Jackson and Middlesex Streets and has turned the former mill buildings into condos and apartments. The Charter School is also located in his buildings as is the Lowell Transitional Living Center.
Jim has shown a great interest in improving his property and the general area, is active in JAMBRA, and has attended all the HDC planning meetings. One of his plans is to create a play space for the Charter School that would be made available to the community after school hours. He is partnering with the Revolving Museum to make this not just a playground, but an “artground”, a Jerry Beck idea, of course.
The other big plan is to convert the former steam generating plant fronting on Middlesex Street and containing an enormous steam engine that would be prohibitive to move, into a café and theater space. He will make the engine an exhibit inside the building, and still will have room for the café (partnering with Andy Jacobsen of Brew’d Awakenings) and a 100 seat theater for performances of all types.
He also has some plans for other spaces in the area including the renovation of 189 Middlesex Street. At the meeting, he discussed the possibility of making some room for a police precinct there with Chief Lavallee. The Chief and others think this would help stabilize the area even further.
The time frame for these improvements is in line with other developments in the HDC with a possible café opening sometime next year.
The news that Chancellor Marty Meehan of UMass Lowell and City Manager Lynch are talking about how the University can be more involved in the downtown is welcomed indeed. This idea goes back at least as far as the mid ‘90’s when Paul Tsongas proposed moving the University’s bookstore to Merrimack Street as a way to bring more students into the downtown. Unfortunately, after complaints from the student body, a compromise resulted in having Barns & Noble locate a regular bookstore in the downtown while the store that sold the textbooks remained on campus, eliminating the reason for the students to come downtown. Other collaborations between the University and the City of course include the Tsongas Arena and the Lelacheur Ball Park, but getting more students (and faculty for that matter) into the center city has proven difficult.
Some of the ideas listed in the news article, such as allowing students to use their meal cards in downtown restaurants and having faculty meetings in downtown venues were developed by a team of graduate students and Professor Bob Forrant. They were discussed at a Center City Committee meeting last year and met with general approval of the downtown stakeholders.
As Kathleen Marcin stated in the article, transportation linkages are crucial to getting more students and faculty members to come downtown and participate in events and activities. Also, there have to be things in the downtown that UML people want to see and do besides filling up the bars on weekend nights.
Who knew that products manufactured right here in Lowell are being sold all over the country and the world?
Evidence of the ingenuity and inventiveness of local people was on display at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium Friday with products ranging from Clam Chowder to lightweight bicycles to photovoltaics to candles that are featured in Hollywood movies.
Kudos to Economic Development Director Theresa Park and her staff along with the usual cast of supporting characters in the City that help make events like this successful and show off Lowell as a great place to live, work, and play.
Concord River Greenway Project
At the recent Center City Committee meeting, Jane Calvin, Executive Director of the Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust, presented information about the Concord River Greenway Project that has just started construction at the Davidson Street Parking Lot in downtown Lowell. LPCT is a private non-profit organization similar to the Audubon Society but concentrating specifically on Lowell. They are involved in several green spaces in the City including Jolene Dubner Park on Rogers Street and are also involved in historic preservation in buildings like the Spalding House on Pawtucket Street. The Concord River Greenway project will eventually run for about 4 miles along the Concord River from downtown Lowell through Chelmsford, and eventually hook into the Bruce Freeman Trail and on to Framingham. This part of the project will cover about 1.75 miles along the eastern bank of the river from Davidson Street to Lawrence Street. It will be a multi-use trail 8 to 16 feet wide that will also accommodate bicycles and take another 2-3 years to complete. (It has been in the works since the year 2000). Phase I, which has just started construction, will encompass the Davidson Street Parking area with historic wayside signage in three languages, public artwork designed by artist Wopo Holup, cast iron bollards topped with statues of river birds, and quotes from Henry David Thoreau. The second phase will start at Lawrence Street and work toward downtown, while the third phase will connect sections 1 and 2. The Davidson Street site, which is across from the Auditorium, will provide a wonderful open space for people in the downtown to get away without going away. For more Information visit http://www.lowelllandtrust.org/Concord_river_greenway_project.html
This Friday, August 29, 2008 from 3pm to 7pm the Lowell Farmer’s Market will be bustling but 4:30 pm will be the height of the excitement as we are joined by Kristi Andrews, owner and chef at The Barkery…a specialty bakery for DOGS on Route 38 in Tewksbury.
So grab your favorite furry faced friend and bring them to the Lowell Farmers’ Market for free samples of freshly baked, gourmet doggie treats!!!
Hope to see you and your “best friends” this Friday.
Of course I have a license, Officer. Now if you will excuse me, I am off to the Lowell Farmers Market.
Have you heard about the Locavores?? More importantly could you be one and not even know it!!!
Here in Lowell we are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of Locavores roaming JFK Plaza on Friday afternoons between 3pm and 7pm. In case you haven’t heard of the term…Locavores are people who are committed to eating locally grown food because it is better tasting, better for you, better for our local economy and better for our global environment! Not surprisingly, more and more Merrimack Valley Locavores are finding their way to the Lowell Farmers’ Market!
Featuring close to a dozen different farmers the market is the perfect place for Locavores to find locally produced fruits, veggies, eggs, baked goods and delicious jams and preserves!!
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Locovore Bag
In the spirit of supporting this “buy local” attitude, this week the Lowell Farmers’ Market will be unveiling it newly created LFM Shopping Bags. These sturdy bags are reusable and feature the market’s new mascot…the Lowell Locavore! The new logo was created by a graphics arts student who graduated from Lowell High School just last June and as part of his final Senior year project created the Lowell Farmers’ Market Locavore! The bags will be available for $3 and are definitely what all the best dressed Lowell Locavores will be wearing for Summer and Fall!!
