Rally ‘round vitality of downtown Lowell

By Bobby Tugbiyele, James Cook, Danielle Bergeron, Deb Belanger | Lowell Sun

Recently, the city administration responded to a series of incidents in our downtown regarding public safety and engaged the community in an inclusive process that led to a number of constructive measures. We support these actions and appreciate the willingness of all involved to continue to provide our downtown with the attention that it warrants.

Many businesses and entrepreneurs have invested considerable financial resources in locating and operating ventures in our central business district at great personal risk. In many cases, these business owners took a chance because they believe in our community and the direction that they have seen our city undertake.

It’s also important to note that Lowell’s downtown is home to many new residents as well as homeowners who, like the businesses, have a vested interest in its development. There are countless unnamed individuals who have and continue to invest time, resources and talents to make the downtown a center of social change. There is a bubbling community of professionals, organizers and people of all ages working to make the downtown and the Greater Lowell community a better place for all.

Downtown Lowell is home to students at UMass Lowell and Middlesex Community College. Student enrollment is up for both institutions. They have added classes and programmatic opportunities to their curricula to bolster the local workforce and attract students both domestically and internationally.

New construction projects at UML show the promise that students and graduates can conceive a future when they call Lowell their home. Indeed, both institutions have exciting projects on the drawing boards and are major partners in our downtown growth.

Trolleys will connect our downtown to the Gallagher Transportation Terminal and other points of interest in the near future. Jeff Speck, a nationally renown urban planner, recently presented the city with a blueprint and vision for the course of the next five to 10 years that will transform and revitalize our downtown into a national model of urban life. The Hamilton Canal District will offer a great many options for living, working and recreating in an exciting urban setting. We look forward to an ever-expanding cultural scene where visitors and residents, the young and the old, can play a role and have a voice.

These physical projects are all positive developments, but they are in our future. Our downtown businesses cannot wait. We need to take action now. It is in our collective interest to support locally owned businesses. A modest shift in our spending pattern will make a difference. Among the direct benefits: wages and benefits paid to local employees, goods and services purchased from other local businesses, profits that accrue to local owners and taxes paid to local and state government. A thriving local business community also gives hope and creates a climate of activity to aspiring entrepreneurs who have a desire to make their dreams a reality … in Lowell.

We urge local residents and our surrounding neighbors to come to downtown Lowell and experience firsthand our collection of world-class ethnic and fine dining restaurants, art galleries, boutiques and attractions. Make it your business to support Lowell. As we well know, “There’s a lot to like about Lowell.”

JAMES COOK

Lowell Plan/LDFC;

DANIELLE BERGERON

Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce;

BOBBY TUGBIYELE

Center City Committee;

DEB BELANGER

Greater Merrimack Visitors & Convention Bureau