By Prudence Brighton, Sun Correspondent
LOWELL -- The Lowell Historic Board easily approved permits for the $40 million first phase of the 10-year $800 million Hamilton Canal project in the city's Jackson, Appleton and Middlesex Street area, also known as the JAM plan.
Work on the crumbling Appleton Mills complex could begin later in the spring, according to Hank Keating of Trinity Financial, developer of the property.
A contractor for the development is expected to be chosen by the end of the month, according to Trinity.
"We hope to be in construction, shortly after," Keating said.
The first phase of the project will create 130 live/work units. Completion is currently targeted for fall 2010.
The first phase contains two buildings at 307 Jackson St. The city has assigned two new numbers to the buildings -- 219 and 265 Jackson St. -- but the numbers have not been officially released to the developers.
Nancy Ludwig, president of ICON Architecture of New York, brought the Historic Board up to date on how the plan has evolved since the last meeting of the board several months ago. Her architectural firm is working with Trinity Financial on the project.
"Our thinking has not changed much," she said, adding that the intent remains to preserve as much of the exterior walls and windows as possible.
Building one is the center of the development with a four-story atrium that will offer common spaces for residents and gallery space for art exhibits.
"It is a very open and flexible plan for active living," said Ludwig.
Mechanical systems and other systems are hidden by a partial fifth floor, which will not be fully rebuilt.
The building and landscape plans respect the historic look of the area while blending contemporary elements.
John Copley, of the Copley Wolff Design Group, presented a landscape plan that is intended to convey a "sense of what once was there and the human toil in these mill buildings."
Keating was asked about plans for the Pawtucket Canal in the first development. He replied that "we will work to stabilize the wall" of the canal. He wants to protect the canal as a "future asset" for the development.
Currently, the mill buildings stand directly on top of the canal walls. If removed, the structural integrity of the canal walls could be jeopardized.
"The changes have not been huge -- important, but not huge," said board member Peter Aucella, as he made the motions to approve going forward with the work on the two buildings.
In other business, the Historic Board last night approved plans submitted by the United Teen Equality Center to substantially rehabilitate the exterior of its building on Hurd Street, the former St. Paul's Methodist Church.
More than 30 teens in attendance cheered as approval for waiver and then a permit was granted.
UTEC's plans include a slate-shingled addition on the Warren Street side of the building, reconstruction of the cupola, a photovoltaic solar panel on the roof and a skylight. UTEC also will remove all the stained-glass windows and replace them with triple-hung windows.
The stained-glass windows and roof are not historic, although the building is on the National Historic Register.
Attorney George C. Eliades, representing UTEC, said that the building cannot handle contemporary operational requirements.
"This is more than just a building. This is a huge moment for us," said Gregg Croteau, executive director of UTEC.
The board also gave conditional approval to a project to rehab the former Hildreth Boarding House at 278 Central St. The building is currently known as the Farragut Hotel.
Paul Yates, owner of the building, wants to create 12 efficiency and one-bedroom apartments in the building, while retaining the ground-floor pub.
This story appeared in the Lowell Sun on Tuesday, April 14, 2009