Menu
I will post updates on the wild and cultivated things around my house this spring and summer in the spirit of the “Flowering City” concept of our community. These are my notes from yesterday when the morning air was cooler than today.—PM The air still has a chill in it…
Read More »April 23, 2016 – 10 a.m. – SPECIAL TOUR Urban Renewal and UMass Lowell East Campus with Bob Forrant The Northern Canal Urban Renewal Project of the 1960s tore down the long-established Little Canada neighborhood and the Merrimack Mill complex to make way for new industry that never came. Today,…
Read More »Special joint meeting of city council and school committee begins at 6:15 pm to brief the two bodies on the status of Lowell High School project. City Manager Murphy explains that is the biggest project in the history of the city of Lowell. The city has selected its project manager…
Read More »About ten years ago, there was an annual program called “Be a Tourist in Your Own Town” organized by the Lowell Historic Board, Greater Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitor Bureau, National Park Service, and others. It was a franchise-type operation like the various “First Night” celebrations around the country. I…
Read More »Apartments on Wellman Street Councilors Bill Samaras and Jim Leary had similar motions on the council agenda last Tuesday (full report on Tuesday’s meeting HERE). Both wanted reports from the city manager on the benefits of residential versus commercial use at Connector Park, the location of the large parcel at…
Read More »There’s no such thing as bad weather; there’s only bad clothing. (Anonymous). Tomorrow night (April 7, 2016) I will lead a walking tour of a portion of the Lowell Canal system as part of Downtown Lowell First Thursdays. The tour will begin at 6 pm at Lowell National Park Visitor…
Read More »Mayor Kennedy introduces Bryan Perry, the new city auditor. Councilor Leahy asks for a point of personal privilege, then moves that the council demand an apology from the government of Cambodia for statements by a government spokesman that were critical of Councilor Rita Mercier. Motion passes unanimously. Lowell National Park…
Read More »Judith Durant, a resident of the Highlands, attended a meeting last night about the proposal to build 240 apartment units on Wellman Street, which is off Chelmsford St, adjacent to Lowe’s and next to the Lowell Connector. Judith shared her observations of the meeting and her thoughts about the proposal…
Read More »
Lord Overpass On Monday night the city unveiled its preliminary proposal for the “new” Lord Overpass. By way of background, the Commonwealth has allocated $15mil for the renovation of the Lord Overpass and the extension of Jackson Street, a project that is directly related to the development of the Hamilton…
Read More »Response to Council Motions: Lisa DeMeo explains process of “accepting” a street by the city. It’s a complicated process. They expect seven streets to be accepted this year. Manager Murphy explains the FY17 budget handout that was distributed to the council. The final budget proposal will be officially presented to…
Read More »