Step one for Hamilton Canal

By Jennifer Myers, jmyers@lowellsun.com

An artists' rendering of what the Appleton Mill complex will look like after redevelopment. Courtesy photo

LOWELL -- Tonight marks the first step in transforming the ruins of the Appleton Mills complex into 130 affordable artist live/work units, as representatives from developer Trinity Financial seek permits for exterior rehabilitation and new construction from the Historic Board.

Construction on the $40 million first phase of the ambitious, 10-year, $800 million Hamilton Canal project, which aims to breathe life back into the blighted 15-acre parcel, is slated to begin in the next two months.

"This is the first real permit related to actual construction, which is exciting," said Steve Stowell, administrator for the Historic Board. "The developer came in to meet with the board late last year, and right out of the gate we saw that we were pretty much on the same page in the direction they are going in preserving these historic structures, so I do not expect any controversy.

"We want to make sure the buildings are consistent with their historic character," he added. "We will be looking at the treatment of the windows, the walls, many of which were once interior walls that, because of age and deterioration, have become exterior walls."

In the end, Stowell said, renderings show a project that respects the historic look of the mills, while incorporating a contemporary industrial look.

Hank Keating, of Trinity Financial, said the project has applied for $15 million in federal and state historic tax credits. Additionally, federal stimulus money is coming to the city for construction of public infrastructure, utilities, bridges and roads associated with the project.
Keating said the Appleton Mills job is currently out to bid, with responses due back at the end of the month.

While the historic character of the old buildings is a key selling point of the project, it is also its biggest challenge.

"It is a very challenging rehabilitation because the buildings have suffered from being exposed to the weather for decades," said Keating. "We expect we will be able to take it apart and put it back together again to maintain as much of the interior structure as possible. We can't just go in there with machines and tear it apart."

Keating explained that if the buildings were simply demolished, it would be impossible to rebuild on the same footprint. Currently, the mill buildings stand directly on top of the canal walls. If removed, the structural integrity of the canal walls could be jeopardized. Additionally, under current laws, a permit would never be approved to build so close to the canal, and the building would have to be pushed back 10-15 feet.

"It is a very striking feature to have a building standing directly on top of the canal wall, and we would not want to lose that," Keating said.

The Appleton rehabilitation is expected to be completed in the fall of 2010.

Today, the buildings suffer from tremendous water damage, with entire chunks of flooring missing. All windows will be replaced, and an atrium with skylights, where artists can hang their work, will be created. The building will also house a co-operative art gallery.

"It really is Lowell," said City Manager Bernie Lynch. "The old buildings hold a tremendous amount of character and a great, important link to the past. The completed project will be a wonderful juxtaposition of the old and new worlds."

Lynch added that seeing the "most important project the city has undertaken in the last 50 years" move forward in this financial climate confirms that the city made the right choice in choosing Trinity Financial.

"They have had faith in this city and the project from the beginning," he said. "It also is confirmation of the decision made by the City Council and former City Manager John Cox to move forward in investing in that area by building the Early Garage."

The Historic Board meets at 6 p.m. today at the Pollard Memorial Library.

This article appeared in the Lowell Sun on Monday, April 13, 2009