DRAFT OF THE DOWNTOWN PLAN AS OF 11/16/00
Lowell is beginning an exciting new planning effort to articulate a vision for the Downtown area - including the Downtown retail/office core (e.g. Merrimack, Middle, Market and Central Streets); the northern and eastern canal areas (e.g. Arena, Boott Mills, Mass Mills); the Warren and Church Streets development area; and portions of the Acre, JAM and East Merrimack Street Redevelopment areas.
Planning Area Map
Why Plan for Downtown?
Over the past thirty years, Lowell has taken many great strides to becoming one of the finest Downtowns in the Commonwealth. From the inception of the first Urban National Park to the opening of Tsongas Arena and LeLacheur Park, positive change and growth have been the constants in Downtown Lowell.
In order to ensure that Downtown Lowell continues to grow in a healthy and positive manner, the Lowell City Council and the City's Division of Planning and Development have decided to create a plan that will guide the development of the Downtown over the next ten years. All Downtown stakeholders and organizations will have an opportunity to participate in the creation of this Plan - ultimately resulting in a vision for Downtown endorsed by all Downtown stakeholders.
Will This Plan Be Similar to the City's Acre or JAM Plans?
The Plan will not be an Urban Revitalization and Renewal Plan - similar to the Acre Plan or Jackson / Appleton / Middlesex (JAM) Plan. The City will not be involved in acquiring or disposing of property and will not initiate any eminent domain takings as a result of this Plan. The Plan will focus on developing a vision for the Downtown, and will use local regulations and solutions in order to implement this vision.
How Can the Public Participate?
The Downtown Plan, coordinated by the City's Division of Planning and Development (DPD), will be developed through an intensive public participation process. The public's primary point of involvement will be the City's Council's Downtown Subcommittee, which will be hosting a series of public meetings on various topics related to the Downtown. Comments from these public meetings will be incorporated into the final Downtown Plan.
DPD will be developing a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) - composed of 3 City Councilors and over 30 Downtown stakeholders - to intensively create an overall vision for the Downtown. The CAC will meet on a monthly basis and will oversee the Plan's development until its completion. In addition, DPD will establish Focus Groups that will concentrate on investigating certain Downtown issues, including traffic, urban design, tourism, commercial development, residential development, and public safety.
DPD will produce a newsletter on a regular basis in order to keep Downtown stakeholders informed about the Plan and all public meetings.
What Will the Plan Address?
Traffic
· Traffic circulation patterns on all Downtown streets
· Traffic calming potential
· Traffic signal improvements
· On-street parking options
· Pedestrian circulation and crosswalk improvements
Urban Design
· Street and sidewalk infrastructure and reconstruction
· Streetscape improvements
· Vault reconstruction
· Tree and foliage development
Tourism and Attractions
· Enhancing Downtown marketing efforts
· Visitor services (e.g. public restrooms, information, etc.)
· Special events development and coordination
Commercial Development
· Mill redevelopment
· Retail recruitment & development
· Business improvement districts (BIDs) and service coordination
· Digital media and "Cyber-District" development
Residential Development
· The future of Downtown housing: subsidized vs. market-rate
· Artist housing development
Public Safety
· Crime prevention through planning
· Analysis of Downtown lighting analysis
· Analysis of safety of parking garages
As well as other issues - including parking, service delivery, public transit, and other important issues …
What is the Planning Process?
The Downtown Plan will be developed over a seven to eight month period and is scheduled for approval by the Lowell City Council between December, 2000 and January, 2001. The process will involve the following steps:
1. Development of a Downtown vision
2. Identification of Alternative Goals and Action Steps
3. Analysis and Selection of Various Alternatives
4. Refinement of the Downtown Plan
5. Adoption of the Downtown Plan
Opportunities for public involvement will be provided at each stage of the planning process.
Who can I send my questions and comments to?
Thomas Galligani, Downtown Plan Project Manager
Division of Planning and Development
J.F.K. Civic Center
50 Arcand Drive
Lowell MA 01852
(978) 970-4276
tgalliga@ci.lowell.ma.us