By Tom Spoth, tspoth@lowellsun.com
LOWELL -- Apparently, there's still a lot to like about Lowell.
City officials announced yesterday at the third and final "downtown summit" that they will revive that oft-quoted and sometimes maligned slogan. The move was just one of a slew of recommendations that had downtown residents and business owners gushing with praise for the city's efforts.
"I'm very optimistic that a lot of what was said today will come to fruition," said George Villaras of the Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union, the newly elected president of the Downtown Lowell Business Association. "I think a lot of people walked out of that room feeling a lot better and a lot more energized."
The city's Division of Planning and Development, led by City Manager Bernie Lynch and DPD head J. Matthew Coggins, spent months coming up with a comprehensive plan for the downtown after taking input from downtown stakeholders and outside observers at two previous summits, held in January and March.
In addition to re-adopting "There's a Lot to Like About Lowell" to replace the current slogan, "Look at Lowell Now," recommendations unveiled yesterday included:
* improving downtown infrastructure such as lighting, signage and trash receptacles;
* hiring consultants to identify ways to improve downtown traffic flow and recruit and retain retailers;
* investigating expanded police surveillance;
* and establishing a "Wi-Fi Task Force" to explore making downtown Lowell a wireless "hot spot."
Lynch said that a set of short-term recommendations intended to be implemented within six months will cost a little over $1 million, while a group of long-term plans that are one or two years away will likely cost $2 million or $3 million. Improvements will be paid for with money from the existing city budget, grant money, contributions from the Lowell Plan, and money from the city's capital budget, Lynch said.
This story appeared in the Lowell Sun on Friday, June 22, 2007