Lowell, MA - Sustainable Lowell 2025

12 INVEST IN AND PROMOTE ARTS, HISTORICAL, AND CULTURAL INITIATIVES SUSTAINABLY.◙◙ Support the “greening” of festivals and ◙◙ Identify sustainable funding streams for Photo: Ashley Cantrell events, including waste management arts and cultural programming, potentially planning that incorporates recycling and including a Percent for the Arts policy, the composting, and bike and pedestrian friendly Community Preservation Act, or other similar transportation planning. programs.◙◙ Seek to improve pedestrian access between ◙◙ Prioritize cultural promotion online and using Western Avenue Studios, the 119 Gallery recycled paper made from post-consumer and the Downtown to maximize economic content, when possible. investment in the arts while reducing carbon emissions. Photo: Angela Vincent Vertical garden mural at the 119 Gallery SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025 75

13 ACTIVELY PROMOTE THE REHABILITATION AND REUSE OF REMAINING VACANT MILLS AND UPPER STORIES OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN DOWNTOWN LOWELL IN WAYS THAT WILL REINFORCE LOWELL’S DOWNTOWN AS AN ATTRACTIVE AND AUTHENTIC URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD WITH A ROBUST DAYTIME AND EVENING/WEEKENDThe Assets Complex should be stabilized and redeveloped. POPULATION, AND A HEALTHY MIX OF RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, Photo: DPD RETAIL, ENTERTAINMENT, AND RECREATIONAL AMENITIES. ◙◙ Develop and implement a Housing ◙◙ Support the redevelopment of the Development Zone for the Downtown remaining undeveloped portions the under Massachusetts General Law Boott, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Chapter 40V. Hamilton, and Appleton Mills.There are a number of opportunities to redevelop older ◙◙ Prioritize the use of existing subsidy ◙◙ Continue to promote the conversion ofindustrial sites as industrial ruin parks, which serve programs to facilitate projects that have historic mill buildings and vacant uppereconomic, recreational, and historic purposes, and can economic and redevelopment benefits stories of commercial buildings in theadd to the vitality of their surroundings. The Mill Ruins in addition to housing and/or historic downtown area to residential units, artistPark in Minneapolis serves such a purpose. preservation value, and advocate for live/work spaces, and other uses as enhanced subsidy to close financing gaps deemed appropriate. Photo: Minneapolis Mill City Museum which compromise the economic viability of Downtown redevelopment in Gateway ◙◙ Continue to take advantage of availableOne of Lowell’s best transit-oriented development Cities like Lowell. opportunities to market and promote downtown Lowell as a city on the rise.opportunities Photo: DPD76 SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

COBURN PL HALL PL BEACON ST W SIXTH STGERSHOM AV FERRY LN W ELEVENTH ST ELEVENTH ST AIKEN ST AV JEWETT ST HAMPSHIRE ST VFW HWY HILL W TENTH ST UNIVERSITY AV BUNKER STANLEY ST WEST STYear of RedevelopWmNINeTHnStT WEBSTER AV TENTH ST DELARD ST METHUEN STRIVERSIDE ST RIVERSIDE AV FULTON ST COBURN ST VARNUM ST BEECH STPLYMOUTH ST RIVERWALK WY LAPKOELVLIEAWRADV AV Pre-2000L ST SHEDD ST FREMONT ST COLONIAL AV LAWRENCE DR SEVENTH ST PERKINS ST VFW HWY 2000-2W0FIFT1H S2T BRIDGE ST PlaWnFOUnRTHeSTd SIXTH ST HALL ST W HALL ST READ ST FIFTH ST MYRTLE ST SIMPSON ST SPALDING JSTAMES ST CABOT ST WY AUSTIN ST MARKET- RATEFATHERMORISSETTE BLVD JR DataW TSHIRoDuSTrce: KING FOURTH ST SUFFOLK ST MARTIN LUTHER DPD THIRD ST RIVER PLPAWTUCKET ST DANE ST SECOND ST BOWERS STWHITIGNAGGSETST DREEVSEILDOEPNMTIEANLTSADLEECMATSUTR AV MERRIMACK ST HALL ST E FIRST STARLINGTON ST MT FLREOTCCHKEDRALSET AV GARHIANNTCEORCRK AV MOODY ST TREMONT PL FIRST ST BLVD COMMON AV WASHINGTON ARCAND DR FRENCH ST AMORMYASSTS MILLS DR FAYETTE ST DOWNTOWNBOWERS ST HANOVER ST ASH ST JAMES CTHOSPITAL DR ST FENWICK TERR COLBURN ST KIRK ST JOHN ST MT ALDER ST HUNTS FALL BRIDGEW BOWERS ST VERNON O'BRIEN TERR MOODY ST LEE ST PAIGE ST LEWIS ST SUFFOLK STCRANES AV ST ST VARNBEUYTSTTERFIELD ST SHATTUCK ST CITY AV CITY AV GOLD CROSS ST CROSS ST DUMMER ST KEARNEY SQ HOWE ST BARTLETT ST STACKPOLE STOLIVER ST WORTHEN ST MIDDLE ST BROWN ST E MERRIMACK STSARGENT ST ADAMS ST CORK ST MARKET ST CENTRAL STMARSH ST DAVIDSON ST SCHOOL ST BROADWAY ST WILLIE ST BROOKS ST DUBLIN ST COOKS WY DUTTON ST WARREN CHESTNUT ST NESMITH ST FRANKLIN ST ST CHESTNUT ST WILLOW PHILLIPS ST DEPOT AVCLARE ST HURD ST CHESTNUT SQ JACKSON ST GEORGE ST CANAL ST MIDDLESEX ST MOULTON AV WILLIAM ST ST GREEN ST ROCK ST WORTHEN ST ANDOVER ST WIGGIN ST DAVIS ST CHURCH ST HARRISON ST SOUTH ST CUSHING ST WAMESIT CT [TYLER ST POND ST ROBESON ST CHARLES ST KYAN ST DUTTON ST DUTTON AV LORD OVERPASS GARNET ST APPLETON ST VETERANS WY PERRY ST OAK ST WESTERN AV PEVEY ST LAWRENCE ST FORT HILL AVARLENE RD SPRING AV PAYNE ST THORNDIKE ST SUMMER ST UNION ST NORTH ST CONCORD ST HIGH ST WALKER PL PLEASANT SMITH AV CRANE ST EAGLE CT GORHAM ST CHAPEL ST LINDEN ST SAUNDERS ST ARCH ST CADY ST ST MARSHALL ST AMES BRANCH ST OAK AV COTTAGE ST ST SHERMAN STSUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025 77

Photo: DPD14 INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY TO, FROM, AND WITHIN THE DOWNTOWN.◙◙ Convert certain one-way streets to ◙◙ Improve connections to the downtown two-way operation consistent with the from adjacent neighborhoods, and other recommendations of the Downtown parts of the city. Evolution Plan. ◙◙ Continue to improve handicap access◙◙ Increase access to public transportation through sidewalk and crosswalk opportunities, such as the Gallagher improvements. Terminal. ◙◙ Implement bicycle infrastructure, bike◙◙ Improve pavement markings and signage lanes, and sharrows (shared use lanes) to help guide Lowell residents and visitors. throughout the city’s Downtown and neighborhoods. ◙◙ Improve coordination and efficiency of traffic signals at Dutton/Market, Dutton/ Broadway, Dutton/Fletcher, and Father Morrissette/Cabot to improve traffic flow through the Downtown. ◙◙ Continue to improve the management and operations of public on-street and off-street parking downtown to ensure convenience and availability for residents, visitors, shoppers and other users. New Handicap-accessible crosswalks in Downtown Photo: DPD78 SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

Enhanced pedestrian connection from the Gallagher Terminal to the Hamilton Canal District Photo: DPDProposal to convertMarket Street to two-way traffic DR Proposed Downtown Street Conversions ARCAND Proposed Downtown Street Conversions DR ARCAND MERRIMACK ST MERRIMACK STMARKMEATRSKTET ST MERRIMACK ST SHATTUCSKHSATTTUCK ST PALMERPSATLMER STMERRIMACK STCENTRAL ST MERRIMACK STWORTHEWNORSTTHEN ST MIDDLE ST PRESCOPTRTESSTCCOETNTTSTRAL STMERRIMACK ST MARKET ST MIDDLE ST MARKET STDUTTDOUNTSTTON ST CENTRAL ST WARREN ST CENTRAL STWARREN ST One-way streets HURDHSUTRD ST One-way streets 79 TwoT-wwoa-ywsatyrestertesets DoDwonwtnotwownnEvEovoluluttioionnPPllaann,, 22001100SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

CIHVIISECRNTNEEETOAFVRSNRFTIOLARGEUIMCOCUNOACARCIOCRUNSNGTCRSRAALAHLIPCFEMHHTLVERLTLRAOEMSEACOAIEBRR-AEPU&RRMBPEN&O&EECSEUSNOEAPTSNONOEINTIBCEAANCTIRNODRDENNCLUFETLTFAG&URAUUIGYFIOMLEOCOTPRGILCTCQRMCIC&RI&LNUVCYTSATHUOIAMI&EUAREETSRCAEACEMNINRLAIACPNACOOALPO&DSNMTTELJACOIONTNLSRNOTEOIIOTIREOOPNUIINSTEYVNCNNB&HRRUTPPNNPGSSERINVV&NATENCOEOILEE&TEEEOST&ADLERORTRRRRRVDSSYHVIARSUAPNEAEVVATPTTTAUAAPBSCTAAAAUQMRMMMIOTCNRIFRIHTTTTTNUIOILLETEEEOEEIIIIIIIIIIIIOOOOONNIINNDPNNNTTTTTCONNNNNNGGSSTYYYYYETTTYN VIBRANT AND UNIQUE URBAN HUB SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025 PROMOTE LOWELL AS A WELCOMING, SAFE, AND ATTRACTIVE URBAN HUB THAT SERVES THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, VISITORS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS. CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE MAJOR REGIONAL AND NATIONAL RETAILERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHOSE PRODUCTS ENJOY EXEMPTIONS FROM STATE SALES TAXES, TO LOCATE WITHIN CITY LIMITS TO ALLOW MORE LOWELL RESIDENTS TO MAKE MORE OF THEIR RETAIL PURCHASES IN THE CITY, AS OPPOSED TO SURROUNDING TOWNS AND SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE. SUPPORT AND PROMOTE A DIVERSITY OF HIGH- QUALITY SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT OPPORTUNITIES, PRIORITIZING LOCALLY-OWNED BUSINESSES WHOSE PROFITS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE REINVESTED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. PROMOTE AND MARKET LOWELL AS A COLLEGE TOWN, AND INVEST IN THE FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENT POPULATIONS AS MAJOR ECONOMIC DRIVERS. PROMOTE WATERFRONT ACCESS AND DEVELOPMENT DOWNTOWN. PROMOTE LOWELL AS A REGIONAL HUB FOR ARTS, CULTURE, AND HISTORY.80

CIHVIISECRNTNEEETOAFVRSNRFTIOLARGEUIMCOCUNOACARCIOCRUNSNGTCRSRAALAHLIPCFEMHHTLVERLTLRAOEMSEACOAIEBRR-AEPU&RRMBPEN&O&EECSEUSNOEAPTSNONOEINTIBCEAANCTIRNODRDENNCLUFETLTFAG&URAUUIGYFIOMLEOCOTPRGILCTCQRMCIC&RI&LNUVCYTSATHUOIAMI&EUAREETSRCAEACEMNINRLAIACPNACOOALPO&DSNMTTELJACOIONTNLSRNOTEOIIOTIREOOPNUIINSTEYVNCNNB&HRRUTPPNNPGSSERINVV&NATENCOEOILEE&TEEEOST&ADLERORTRRRRRVDSSYHVIARSUAPNEAEVVATPTTTAUAAPBSCTAAAAUQMRMMMIOTCNRIFRIHTTTTTNUIOILLETEEEOEEIIIIIIIIIIIIOOOOONNIINNDPNNNTTTTTCONNNNNNGGSSTYYYYYETTTYN VIBRANT AND UNIQUE URBAN HUB 81SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS AND MEMBERS OF THECREATIVE CLASS, AND ENCOURAGE MORE TO LIVEAND WORK IN LOWELL.INVEST IN CULTURE WHERE CULTURE HAPPENS.ENHANCE ENJOYMENT, APPRECIATION, ANDSTEWARDSHIP OF LOWELL’S HISTORIC ANDCULTURAL RESOURCES.INCREASE EVERYDAY ARTS, HISTORICAL,CULTURAL, AND RECREATIONAL ENCOUNTERS OFCITY RESIDENTS.DIVERSIFY PARTICIPATION IN THE ARTS.INVEST IN AND PROMOTE ARTS, HISTORICAL, ANDCULTURAL INITIATIVES SUSTAINABLY.ACTIVELY PROMOTE THE REHABILITATIONAND REUSE OF REMAINING VACANT MILLSAND UPPER STORIES OF COMMERCIALBUILDINGS IN DOWNTOWN LOWELL IN WAYSTHAT WILL REINFORCE LOWELL’S DOWNTOWNAS AN ATTRACTIVE AND AUTHENTIC URBANNEIGHBORHOOD WITH A ROBUST DAYTIME ANDEVENING/WEEKEND POPULATION, AND A HEALTHYMIX OF RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, RETAIL,ENTERTAINMENT, AND RECREATIONAL AMENITIES.INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY TO, FROM, AND WITHINTHE DOWNTOWN.SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

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HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE LOCAL ECONOMY Lowell will strive to create a healthy, self-sufficient local economy that will be sustainable in the face of looming macroeconomic changes. To accomplish this goal, the city will seek to improve education and increase the competitiveness of its workforce, help the city’s existing institutions and businesses to thrive, encourage creative and environmentally- friendly development and redevelopment, and spur job growth by both targeting growing industry sectors and cultivating a new generation of local entrepreneurs. Photo: Meghan MooreSUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025 83

ECONOMÍA LOCAL ECONOMIASALUDABLE LOCAL SAUDÁVELY SOSTENIBLE E SUSTENTÁVELLowell buscará crear una economía Lowell procurará criar uma economialocal saludable y auto-suficiente que local saudável, auto-suficiente queserá sostenible de cara a los cambios será sustentável em face das iminentesmacroeconómicos inminentes. Para mudanças macro-econômicas.lograr dicha meta, la ciudad buscará Para atingir este objectivo, a cidademejorar la educación y aumentará procurará melhorar a qualidadela competividad de la fuerza laboral, do sector educativo e intensificarayudará a las instituciones y negocios a competitividade da sua força deexistentes para que prosperen, animará trabalho, ajudar existentes instituiçõesel desarrollo y la reurbanización e empresas a prosperar, estimularcreativo y ecológico, y estimulará el construção e desenvolvimento criativo ecrecimiento en puestos de trabajo sustentável, e fomentar o crescimentoenfocándose en sectores industriales do emprego não só entre sectorescrecientes y la cultivación de una nueva industriais correntemente em expansãogeneración empresarial. mas também através da cultivação de uma nova geração de empreendedores84 locais. SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

OBJECTIVES1 Prioritize programs and initiatives with strong promise of 10 Support the health services industry to maintain high-2 creating employment opportunities for Lowell residents, 11 quality, accessible health care to Lowell residents.3 and strive to continue increasing employment rates in Continue to prioritize support for the implementation4 the City. 12 of the Hamilton Canal District Master Plan and larger5 Increase competitiveness of the local workforce, expand 13 JAM Urban Revitalization and Development Plan to6 career education and job training to match workforce 14 create new opportunities for economic development in7 needs, and provide placement opportunities for the Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.8 City’s residents. 15 Explore opportunities for commercial urban agricultural9 Improve foundational education to better prepare the 16 production and distribution as an economic activity as City’s youth for future employment and participation in well as a local food source. the local economy. Strengthen and enhance existing industrial and Create opportunities for existing businesses to thrive, commercial areas and develop new sites for business reinvest in the local economy, and become more opportunities. competitive in the regional, national, and international Complete and begin implementation of the Ayer’s marketplace. City Industrial Park Plan as an urban renewal project Increase support for small and minority-owned designed to create additional industrial, commercial, businesses. and retail expansion sites, provide additional Attract new businesses to the city by targeting growing employment opportunities for Lowell residents, and grow industry sectors that align well with the Greater the City’s tax base. Lowell region’s resources, workforce, and competitive Continue to expand the City’s cluster strengths, advantage. including its environmental and environmentally- Create a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. sustainable businesses, institutions, and industry. Repurpose vacant or under-utilized spaces for new, Increase the capacity of our local institutions to become creative uses to eliminate blight that may discourage economic engines for the community as a whole. investment in surrounding properties. Target, assess, and remediate brownfields for redevelopment to improve the quantity and variety of 85 available commercial, office and retail space.SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

1 PRIORITIZE PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES WITH STRONG PROMISE OF CREATING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOWELL RESIDENTS, AND STRIVE TO CONTINUE INCREASING EMPLOYMENT RATES IN THE CITY.Youth summer jobs Photo: Career Center of Lowell ◙◙ Evaluate investments, events, and ◙◙ Identify and prioritize participation in Photo: Career Center of Lowell initiatives based on documented or inter-municipal partnerships based documentable potential to result in on the potential for Lowell residents positive economic growth. to obtain employment opportunities with businesses in Lowell or partner ◙◙ Support initiatives that assist populations communities. who often have difficulty securing work opportunities - such as teenagers, single- ◙◙ Support initiatives that foster the growth parents, and non-English speakers - with and development of new entrepreneurial local job opportunities. efforts that will ultimately result in job creation. ◙◙ Encourage major employers in the City, including institutions, non-profits, and commercial businesses, to prioritize hiring of qualified Lowell residents to the extent permissible by law, and seek commitments to hiring Lowell residents from businesses assisted with direct loans or grants, tax benefits, or other programs and initiatives.Youth summer jobs registration SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025 Photo: Career Center of Lowell86

2 INCREASE COMPETITIVENESS OF THE LOCAL WORKFORCE, EXPAND CAREER EDUCATION AND JOB TRAINING TO MATCH WORKFORCE NEEDS, AND PROVIDE PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CITY’S RESIDENTS.◙◙ Actively work to identify short and long- ◙◙ Support and promote the availability Career Center training program Photo: Robert McIntosh term labor market needs and align of technical assistance, certification education and training to match. programs, and “soft-skilled” classes for Photo: Ann Hermes recent unemployed residents through 87◙◙ Encourage Lowell’s secondary and higher the Workforce Investment Board and educational institutions to develop a Career Center of Lowell, including but not coordinated online clearinghouse to limited to: assistance with resume writing, connect students, residents, employers job interviewing, job placement, job and other community stakeholders with a readiness, work appearance, customer public platform for communication about service, on-the-job etiquette, financial internship and work opportunities. literacy, entrepreneurship training, and legal counseling.◙◙ Continue to work with the Career Center of Lowell and Workforce Investment Board ◙◙ Encourage employers and educational to provide workforce training fund “on-the- institutions to make internships and job” training grants for existing and new job opportunities available to existing employers. students and recent graduates of local secondary and higher education◙◙ Increase corporate education and institutions to help local youth build their strengthen collaboration between local careers and retain their talents in the private employers and local educational community. institutions. ◙◙ Encourage recent college graduates◙◙ Increase the availability of English-as- to remain in the City by providing this a-second-language (ESL) classes and population with a variety of attractive programs, striving to offer them at a job opportunities, as well as attractive variety of times and locations, so as housing options and cultural amenities. to accommodate as many interested residents as possible.SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

3 IMPROVE FOUNDATIONAL EDUCATION TO BETTER PREPARE THE CITY’S YOUTH FOR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT AND PARTICIPATION IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY.Photo: UMass Lowell ◙◙ Continue efforts to make Lowell’s public ◙◙ Promote science, technology, engineering, education system one of the best school math and arts programs in the local systems in Massachusetts. education system and invest in infrastructure improvements, as needed, ◙◙ Ensure all children have equal access to to prepare students with both the skills quality education, and all Lowell families and creativity to fuel their future careers. have opportunities for choices among quality, public, private, and charter ◙◙ Continue to support institutions and schools. organizations that provide holistic education and opportunities for youthPhoto: CBA ◙◙ Support efforts to retain federal and state outside of formal classroom settings. funding for early childhood education, and support local organizations and ◙◙ Strengthen partnerships between institutions invested in this work in their our schools and institutions of efforts to maintain or expand available higher education to establish shared programs. educational, mentoring, summer and recreational programs. ◙◙ Increase graduation and higher education enrollment rates among Lowell’s high school graduates by reducing barriers to “at risk” teens and families, including support for efforts to link these students with scholarship and financial aid opportunities. Photo: Robert Anderson88 SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

4 CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXISTING BUSINESSES TO THRIVE, REINVEST IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY, AND BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE IN THE REGIONAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL MARKETPLACE.◙◙ Continue to provide a variety of technical ◙◙ Respond to businesses’ labor force and financial assistance programs to needs by promoting partnerships with existing businesses, while documenting local institutions of higher education and and monitoring their effectiveness in the Career Center of Lowell/Workforce order to best target limited resources. Investment Board.◙◙ Through thoughtful rate setting and ◙◙ Utilize the City’s marketing campaign utilization of available tax increment and networking events to help existing abatement programs, implement local businesses reach their target audiences. commercial real estate and personal property taxes in a manner that ensures ◙◙ Work to reduce the disparity between the Bricks & Clicks is a business model that enables a costs remain affordable and competitive commercial and residential tax rates by company to integrate both offline (bricks) and online with other surrounding communities. actively encouraging additional real estate (clicks) presences. Photo: Dossierartikelen development and growing the overall tax◙◙ Work with property owners, brokers, base without raising residential taxes or and the city’s Division of Development cutting needed revenue. Services to limit non-commercial uses from encroaching into prominent ◙◙ Encourage utility and communications commercial and industrial areas. companies to improve and maintain their infrastructure at the highest standards◙◙ Assist existing businesses to save on possible to ensure that commercial and energy costs by becoming more “green” industrial sites in Lowell have access to (i.e. energy audits and other financial the best available technology and utility assistance programs to purchase energy- services. efficient equipment; recycling and composting).SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025 Photo: Boston Chowder 89

5 INCREASE SUPPORT FOR SMALL AND MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES.◙◙ Identify barriers to collaboration and ◙◙ Identify specific resource needs among communication with minority-owned minority businesses and entrepreneurs, businesses. and develop programming efforts consistent with addressing those needs.◙◙ Support local partner agencies in evaluating and identifying market ◙◙ Provide training and outreach materials in opportunities through community multiple languages. assessment and market analysis. ◙◙ Partner with trusted and respected local◙◙ Support the establishment of a shipping, cultural organizations and institutions printing, and business services retail when reaching out to businesses so as outlet within Lowell as a resource for to facilitate connections with specific small businesses and entrepreneurs. minority groups.◙◙ Evaluate how public information, Photo: Merrimack Valley Small Business application requirements and fees Assistance Center impact access of diverse populations to community resources and business opportunities, and making adjustments accordingly.◙◙ Increase outreach regarding existing economic development initiatives to minority entrepreneurs and businesses in culturally competent ways. Photo: CBA SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 202590

6 ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES TO THE CITY BY TARGETING GROWING INDUSTRY SECTORS THAT ALIGN WELL WITH THE GREATER LOWELL REGION’S RESOURCES, WORKFORCE, AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE.◙◙ Target businesses compatible with local ◙◙ Continue to offer a variety of technical Photo: UMass Lowell and regional industry clusters/trends and financial assistance programs to Photo: Xenith (advanced manufacturing; defense companies wishing to relocate in Lowell, contracting; software & information while documenting and monitoring their technology; biotechnology; green effectiveness in order to better target technologies; creative economy; and limited resources. healthcare & educational sectors). ◙◙ Continue to improve and market the city◙◙ Leverage Lowell’s geographic placement as “business friendly” by streamlining by continuing to participate in the permitting and licensing processes with “Middlesex 3” branding campaign and an emphasis on transparency, fairness, other regional marketing efforts. and efficiency.◙◙ Encourage existing companies in Lowell ◙◙ Encourage the development of LEED to become ambassadors for the City and (Leadership in Energy and Environmental help recruit new businesses. Design) certified buildings for major commercial rehabilitation projects and new construction.SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025 PlumChoice Ribbon-Cutting Photo: Jennifer Myers 91

7 CREATE A CULTURE OF INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP.Maker Spaces – such as the Artisan’s Asylum inSomerville, Massachusetts – are community-operatedplaces that encourage the exchange of equipment and ◙◙ Promote the creative economy in Lowell. ◙◙ Support the establishment of a kitchenexpertise. Photo: DPD ◙◙ Support local entrepreneurial efforts and incubator to encourage growth of home- based, food-related businesses. the institutions that spearhead them, including pitch contests, and community ◙◙ Revise zoning as needed to support and and campus catalyst programs, among regulate the development of small-scale others. manufacturing operations as a distinct land-use with different impacts than ◙◙ Create co-working and incubator spaces larger-scale traditional manufacturing. with a specific priority on locations where the facilities can help leverage ◙◙ Build trust and open communication redevelopment of buildings and where between the City and its businesses. nearby properties afford opportunities for the incubators to grow in place. ◙◙ Encourage the local business community to re-invest in the local economy byPhoto: Merrimack Valley Sandbox ◙◙ Partner with local financial institutions procuring goods and services from and other economic development local vendors whenever possible and partners to provide venture capital, continuing a strong track record of technical support, and “creative” support for local philanthropic initiatives. financial assistance programs to local entrepreneurs and start-ups. ◙◙ Explore tax and financing policies and programs that can allow for phasing in ◙◙ Explore the feasibility of expanding of costs in conjunction with the growth state of the art telecommunications of new businesses as a way to support infrastructure to increase broadband entrepreneurial efforts. access and free Wi-Fi hot spots in Downtown and throughout the city. Photo: Merrimack Valley Sandbox SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 202592

8 INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF OUR LOCAL INSTITUTIONS TO BECOME ECONOMIC ENGINES FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.◙◙ Encourage leading institutions to continue ◙◙ Promote partnerships between Middlesex Photo: UMass Lowell to improve and expand their physical Community College, UMass Lowell, and campus environments in accordance other economic development partners to with the City’s Sustainability Plan, and increase visibility and marketing of the eliminate obstacles that may discourage City’s institutional assets and venues. continued physical growth of these institutions within the city. ◙◙ Continue to attract and retain companies in the health-care industry, including◙◙ Encourage leading institutions to better biotech firms that create innovative share resources, including but not limited medical devices for use by health care to physical space, equipment, and energy. providers.◙◙ Implement fair PILOT (Payment in Lieu ◙◙ Continue to support the Massachusetts of Taxes) Agreements between the Medical Device Development Center City, major institutions, and non-profit (M2D2) at UMass Lowell as a vehicle for organizations to reflect their use of economic development and emerging City services and ensure that other medical technologies. commercial and residential tax payers are not required to subsidize them.◙◙ Encourage the state, the UMass system and the community college system to grant greater fiscal autonomy and decision-making authority to the local institutions.SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025 Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center Photo: UMass Lowell 93

9 TARGET, ASSESS, AND REMEDIATE BROWNFIELDS FOR REDEVELOPMENT TO IMPROVE THE QUANTITY AND VARIETY OF AVAILABLE COMMERCIAL, OFFICE AND RETAIL SPACE.◙◙ Develop a plan for guiding and expanding ◙◙ Promote and market the City’s track the City’s brownfields programs. record of successful brownfields redevelopment to help call positive◙◙ Identify funding sources and provide attention to these opportunities and technical assistance to assist private create broader recognition of the viability property owners with investigation and of brownfield sites for a wide range of remediation costs. potential developments.◙◙ Identify tax title and urban renewal ◙◙ Utilize federal and state funding acquisition properties with documented or resources available for brownfields to test, perceived environmental contamination, remediate, and convert eligible properties develop plans for the reuse of these to new uses. properties, and obtain funding to assess and address the contamination to facilitate the implementation of these plans. Photo: Bob Philpot Brownfields environmental cleanup Photo: Watermark Environmental, Inc.94 SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

The new Lowell Community Health Center is located in 100,000 square feet of former mill space and has created over 300 jobs and an improved public health facility for Lowell residents. Image: LCHC10 SUPPORT THE HEALTH SERVICES INDUSTRY TO MAINTAIN HIGH- QUALITY, ACCESSIBLE HEALTH CARE TO LOWELL RESIDENTS.◙◙ Support the fiscal stability of the city’s ◙◙ Continue to support the Lowell Community leading medical institutions. Health Center (LCHC) and its growth as a primary medical resource for substantial◙◙ Continue to support the physical and numbers of Lowell residents. capital expansion of Lowell General Hospital and its acquisition of the former ◙◙ Continue to fund the Lowell Senior Center Saints Memorial Medical Center, working and maintain the quality of services to ensure that both campuses remain provided to our aging population. viable and available to Lowell residents for healthcare services. ◙◙ Promote partnerships between the City’s Health and Recreation Departments, our School Department, and our local health care providers that target health prevention programs for our youth and at- risk populations. ◙◙ Promote physical activity and public health by providing well-maintained recreational facilities and programs throughout the city, prioritizing infrastructure for multi- modal transportation, and encouraging land use patterns that promote healthier lifestyles.Lowell General Hospital has undergone construction on ◙◙ Partner with local educational institutionsa new state of the art building. Launched in 2010, the and the Workforce Investment BoardLegacy Project has expanded the emergency and trama to prepare our future workforce for thecenters to nearly three times their previous size, including growing medical field.100 new beds and three operating rooms. 95 Photo: Lowell General HospitalSUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

11 CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE SUPPORT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HAMILTON CANAL DISTRICT MASTER PLAN AND LARGER JAM URBAN REVITALIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN TO CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN DOWNTOWN AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS.◙◙ Work with developers and potential ◙◙ Work closely with the master developer, tenants to facilitate the construction of state and federal agencies and elected the residential and commercial buildings officials to identify and secure additional outlined in the Hamilton Canal District funding for the on-site and off-site Master Plan. infrastructure needed to support the full build-out of the Hamilton Canal District,◙◙ Actively seek subsidy to bridge financing including the extension of Jackson Street, gaps between the costs of construction reconstruction of the Lord Overpass, and economic returns available in the construction of the Signature Bridge, current market, while simultaneously construction of the Phase II of the on-site working to strengthen the market to infrastructure, construction of a parking diminish the gaps for future projects. structure, and extension of the trolley system, among other projects identified in◙◙ Aggressively market the real estate the Master Plan and MEPA filings. opportunities available to potential commercial tenants and residents in the ◙◙ Continue to advocate for the passage of Hamilton Canal District. Congressional legislation that will allow the Lowell National Historical Park lots to be incorporated into the Hamilton Canal District development site and subsequently work with the LNHP to facilitate this redevelopment. Hamilton Canal District Illustrative Plan Image: Trinity Financial96 SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

◙◙ Work with State Legislative and ◙◙ Continue to support the Hamilton The Justice Center aims to be carbon neutral. Administrative partners to secure funding Crossing Project, including the expansion Image: Neoscape for and construct the Lowell Trial Court. efforts of the Lowell Community Health Center, the development of the Counting◙◙ Encourage private redevelopment of other House Lofts, and subsequent residential sites throughout the JAM Plan area whose and commercial tenancies in the former market potential is enhanced as a result Hamilton Mills. of the construction of the Early Garage and Hamilton Canal District.◙◙ Work in collaboration with the Lowell Downtown Neighborhood Association, Jackson, Appleton, Middlesex, Business and Resident Association and other community stakeholders to welcome new residents to area through the promotion of events that build a sense of community and highlight Lowell’s variety of positive attributes. Image: Trinity Financial 97SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

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12 EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMERCIAL URBAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION AS AN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AS WELL AS A LOCAL FOOD SOURCE.◙◙ Identify appropriate locations for large ◙◙ Support agricultural initiatives that may scale urban agricultural development. be viable in an urban setting, including fish farming, vertical gardening, and other◙◙ Support the creation and adoption commercial-scale local food production of zoning and other policy that will initiatives. encourage urban agricultural activities. Fish farming involves raising fish commercially in tanks as a means by which to supplement a species’ natural numbers and meet the growing demand for fish internationally. Photo: Charlie Vinz New Crop urban farm in Chicago Photo: New Crop ChicagoSUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025 Community Greenhouse 99 Photo: Adrien Bisson

13 STRENGTHEN AND ENHANCE EXISTING INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL AREAS AND DEVELOP NEW SITES FOR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES. ◙◙ Discourage and, where possible, prohibit ◙◙ Promote additional infill commercial encroachment of residential and institutional development in office park, regional retail, uses into viable industrial areas. and high-rise commercial districts, and in the area near the Gallagher Terminal in a ◙◙ Maintain and improve transportation access manner which increases the accessibility and to industrial and commercial areas. attractiveness of these areas for pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, as well as motorists. ◙◙ Encourage property owners to adequately maintain their buildings and land to reinforce ◙◙ Encourage owners of historic commercial a positive image of the city’s industrial areas. buildings in the Downtown and neighborhood business districts to rehabilitate and improveEco-Industrial Parks utilize waste from each plant for the ◙◙ Work to match prospective businesses with existing but under-utilized upper-story spacesupply cycle of adjacent operations. While the central available vacant spaces in industrial areas. as higher quality and more marketable officeconcept is most likely not relevant to Lowell’s situation, space.many of the goals could be quite useful for industrial ◙◙ Eliminate unnecessary permittingparks and clusters such as district heating, recycling, and requirements and streamline processes ◙◙ Identify new areas that are eligible for lightshipping and receiving. The Fort Devens Project, shown for industrial areas, designating additional industrial development and amend thehere, incorporates these features into their plans. areas as Priority Development Sites under zoning map accordingly. Massachusetts General Law Chapter 43D, Photo: David Ryan where appropriate.100 SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

Downtown ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PRIORITY AREAS Downtown Development Parcels Outer Bridge Street [ Pawtucket Boulevard Western Avenue East Merrimack Street Tanner Street Study Area Hale/Chelmsford Street Middlesex/ Wood Street Technology Drive/ Lawrence Street Westford Street Rogers Street/Downtown Stedman Street/ Phoenix AvenueRegional Retail Olde Canal DriveIndustrial Meadowbrook/High Rise Commercial and Office Park Plain StreetSuburban Mixed Use Industrial Avenue EastTanner Street Study Area Cross PointPrince Avenue Priority Development Site Prince Avenue Priority Development SiteHamilton Canal Priority Development Site Data Source: DPDHamilton Canal Growth District & JAM Urban Renewal Plan 101......... Additional Priority Areas for Economic DevelopmentSUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

14 COMPLETE AND BEGIN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AYER’S CITY INDUSTRIAL PARK PLAN AS AN URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT DESIGNED TO CREATE ADDITIONAL INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL, AND RETAIL EXPANSION SITES, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOWELL RESIDENTS, AND GROW THE CITY’S TAX BASE. ◙◙ Complete the development of an Urban Renewal ◙◙ Work with private developers, businesses, and Plan under the EPA’s Area-wide Planning Grant landowners to use the tools available to the program and obtain local and state approvals for City to facilitate the identification, assemblage, the plan. clean-up, and redevelopment of sites identified in the plan, prioritizing sites where privateLowell received a $175,000 planning grant from the EPA ◙◙ Improve pedestrian and vehicular access parties are prepared to follow promptly withto re-envision the Tanner Street area and identify creative to the district from the Lowell Connector, as actual developments over more speculativedevelopment and redevelopment opportunities. recommended in the plan. ventures, given the limited resources for city implementation. Support efforts to incorporate Photo: DPD ◙◙ Enhance the streetscape along Tanner Street safe bicycle and pedestrian routes through the consistent with the profile of a contemporary district that can provide greater connectivity industrial collector street by improving “curb between surrounding neighborhoods and key appeal” and functionality for current and destinations including the Gallagher Terminal, prospective commercial and industrial tenants. Cross Point, Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, while ensuring these routes are not in conflict with ◙◙ Work to ensure that new developments in this planned industrial uses. area are more compatible with neighboring residential areas than historic uses have been. ◙◙ Support connections to natural resources and the development of open spaces in the area, where feasible.102 SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

Image: Crosby, Schlessinger, Smallridge, LLCAYER’S CITYINDUSTRIALPARKSUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025 103

15 CONTINUE TO EXPAND THE CITY’S CLUSTER STRENGTHS, INCLUDING ITS ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTALLY-SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES, INSTITUTIONS, AND INDUSTRY.LEED Certified Nobis Engineering Offices Photo: DPD ◙◙ Explore opportunities for district heating ◙◙ Retain existing green businesses in and cooling and electricity sharing as Lowell and recruit new businesses to ways to reduce costs for new businesses locate within the city, particularly in the looking to locate in Lowell. environmental engineering, renewable energy, recycling, energy efficiency, andBelow Left: A BetterBuildings energy audit. green materials industries.Below Right: New boilers are installed at Mass Mills. Photos: DPD ◙◙ Expand workforce training for green industries, working in collaboration with UMass Lowell, Middlesex Community College, and other institutional stakeholders. Upon completion of the BetterBuildings program, Lowell will have retrofitted more than 1.5 million square feet of commercial and multi-family residential space in historic Downtown buildings. In Decenber, 2012, Lowell’s Better Buildings program became the first of its kind to meet its square-footage milestone.104 SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

◙◙ Encourage the development of credibly ◙◙ Coordinate institutional research with Team Massachusetts, comprised of members from UMass greener commercial buildings and local and regional policy and community Lowell and Mass College of Art, earned 9th Place in the operations through established programs needs. U.S. Department of Energy’s 2011 Solar Decathlon for the like LEED (Leadership in Energy and design of their affordable, highly energy-efficient home. Environmental Design) certification and ◙◙ Connect “green” businesses and Energy Star. industries to local environmental Photo: U.S. Department of Energy organizations so as to encourage their◙◙ Support the incorporation of green mutually beneficial investment in the site design features into industrial and community. commercial districts and office park areas of the City, and work to market these features as part of an effort to attract more green business tenants to them.◙◙ Encourage the development of partnerships and systems that enable businesses and institutions to share machinery, equipment, and other resources. Green job training Photo: MassDOT Recycling of old slate in UTEC’s award-winning retrofit, the oldest LEED Platinum building in the country. Photo: UTECSUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025 105

16 REPURPOSE VACANT OR UNDER-UTILIZED SPACES FOR NEW, CREATIVE USES TO ELIMINATE BLIGHT THAT MAY DISCOURAGE INVESTMENT IN SURROUNDING PROPERTIES. ◙◙ Work with property owners to program ◙◙ Utilize schools and other under-utilized parking lots with outdoor markets, special municipal buildings and spaces for events, and other community activities community education and recreational on nights and weekends, when there is a purposes on nights and weekends. decreased demand for their use. ◙◙ Improve and repurpose alleyways asPhoto: DPD ◙◙ Transform vacant storefronts into vibrant, environmentally-friendly, and vibrant urban spaces through expansion active spaces, wherever feasible. of the pop-up gallery program, which provides affordable gallery display and ◙◙ Continue to redevelop under-utilized performance space to local artists and and vacant properties in the Acre other entrepreneurs. Urban Revitalization and Development Plan area to create new housing units and commercial space.Seasonal pop-up stores and galleries can help lower SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025vacancy rates and make streetscapes more lively. Photo: Atelier Teee106

CIHVIISECRNTNEEETOAFVRSNRFTIOLARGEUIMCOCUNOACARCIOCRUNSNGTCRSRAALAHLIPCFEMHHTLVERLTLRAOEMSEACOAIEBRR-AEPU&RRMBPEN&O&EECSEUSNOEAPTSNONEOINTIBCEAANCTIRNODRDENNCLUFETLTFAG&URAUUIGYFIMOLEOCOTPRGILCTCQRMCIC&RI&LNUVCYTSATHUOIAAMI&EUAREETSRACEACENMNINRLAIACPNACOOALPODSDNMTTELJACOIONTNLSRNOTEOIIOTREIOOPNUIINSTEYVNCNNB&HRRUTPPNNPGSSERINVV&NATENCOEOIEEL&TEEEOST&ADLERORTRRRRRVDSSYHVIARSUAPNEAEVVATPTTTUAAAPBSCTAAAAUQMRMMMIOTCNRIFRIHTTTTTNUOIILLETEEEEEOIIIIIIIIIIIIOOOOONNIINDNPNNNTTTTTCONNNNNNGGSSYYYYYETTTTYN HEALTHY & SUSTAINABLE 107 LOCAL ECONOMY PRIORITIZE PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES WITH STRONG PROMISE OF CREATING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOWELL RESIDENTS, AND STRIVE TO CONTINUE INCREASING EMPLOYMENT RATES IN THE CITY. INCREASE COMPETITIVENESS OF THE LOCAL WORKFORCE, EXPAND CAREER EDUCATION AND JOB TRAINING TO MATCH WORKFORCE NEEDS, AND PROVIDE PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CITY’S RESIDENTS. IMPROVE FOUNDATIONAL EDUCATION TO BETTER PREPARE THE CITY’S YOUTH FOR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT AND PARTICIPATION IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY. CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXISTING BUSINESSES TO THRIVE, REINVEST IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY, AND BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE IN THE REGIONAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL MARKETPLACE. INCREASE SUPPORT FOR SMALL AND MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES. ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES TO THE CITY BY TARGETING GROWING INDUSTRY SECTORS THAT ALIGN WELL WITH THE GREATER LOWELL REGION’S RESOURCES, WORKFORCE, AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE. CREATE A CULTURE OF INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP. INCREASE CAPACITY OF LOCAL INSTITUTIONS TO BECOME ECONOMIC ENGINES FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

CIHVIISECRNTNEEETOAFVRSNRFTIOARLGEUIMCOCUNOACARCIOCRUNSNGTCRSRAALAHLIPCFEMHHTLVERLTLRAOEMSEACOAIEBRR-APUE&RRMBPEN&O&EECSEUSNOEAPTSNONEINOTIBCEAANCTIRNODRDENCNLUFETLTFAG&URAUUIGYFIMOLEOCOTPRGILCTCQRMCIC&RI&LNUVCYTSATHUOIAMI&EUAREETSRACEACEMNINRLAIACPNACOOALPO&SDNMTTELJACOIONTNLSRNOTOEIIOTREOIOPNUIINSTEYVNCNNB&HRRUTPPNNPGSSERINVV&NATENCOEOIEE&LTEEESTO&ADLERROTRRRRRVDSSYHIVARSUANEAEPVVATPTTTUAAAPBSCTAAAAUQRMMMMIOTCNRIFRIHTTTTTNUOIILLTEEEEEEOIIIIIIIIIIIIOOOOONNIINDPNNNNTTTTTCONNNNNNGGSSYYYYYETTTTYN HEALTHY & SUSTAINABLE SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025 LOCAL ECONOMY TARGET, ASSESS, AND REMEDIATE BROWNFIELDS FOR REDEVELOPMENT. SUPPORT THE HEALTH SERVICES INDUSTRY TO MAINTAIN HIGH-QUALITY, ACCESSIBLE HEALTH CARE FOR LOWELL RESIDENTS. CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE SUPPORT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HAMILTON CANAL DISTRICT MASTER PLAN AND LARGER JAM URBAN REVITALIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN TO CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN DOWNTOWN AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS. EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMERCIAL URBAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION AS AN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AS WELL AS A LOCAL FOOD SOURCE. STRENGTHEN AND ENHANCE EXISTING INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL AREAS AND DEVELOP NEW SITES FOR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES. COMPLETE AND BEGIN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AYER’S CITY INDUSTRIAL PARK PLAN AS AN URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT DESIGNED TO CREATE ADDITIONAL INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL, AND RETAIL EXPANSION SITES, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOWELL RESIDENTS, AND GROW THE CITY’S TAX BASE. CONTINUE TO EXPAND THE CITY’S CLUSTER STRENGTHS, INCLUDING ITS ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES, INSTITUTIONS, AND INDUSTRY. REPURPOSE VACANT OR UNDER-UTILIZED SPACES FOR NEW, CREATIVE USES TO ELIMINATE BLIGHT THAT MAY DISCOURAGE INVESTMENT IN SURROUNDING PROPERTIES.108

Lowell will strive to bolster its growing reputation as a model for environmentally sustainable practices in an urban setting. It will accomplish this goal by proactively preparing for and adapting to climate change and continuing efforts to reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases so as to mitigate its impact on the environment.ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCE Photo: Marianne GriesSUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025 109

RESILIENCIA RESILIÊNCIAAMBIENTAL AMBIENTALLowell buscará fortalecer su creciente Lowell continuará a reforçar a suareputación como modelo en cuanto reputação crescente como modeloa la implementación de practicas de práticas ambientais sustentáveisambientalmente sostenibles en un num espaço urbano. Este objectivopuesto urbano. Logrará proactivamente será atingido através de se preparar esu meta preparándose para y adaptar continuamente às alteraçõesadaptándose al cambio climático y climáticas e continuar os seus esforçoscontinuando sus esfuerzos de reducir em reduzir as emissões de gases delas emisiones de gases de efecto efeito estufa, a fim de minimizar seuinvernadero para mitigar su impacto en impacto sobre o meio ambiente.el medioambiente. SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025110

OBJECTIVES1 The City of Lowell will set an example by prioritizing environmentally2 sustainable policies and practices.3 Develop policies and programs that will build upon the successes of reducing4 solid waste and increasing recycling citywide.5 Develop programs and policies to reduce the disposal of organic wastes into the6 waste stream. Improve water quality. Improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions through energy efficiency enhancements and the adoption of alternative fuels. Promote urban forestry as a method for improving public health as well as the physical and built environment.7 Produce energy from renewable sources.8 9 Seek to reduce the adverse impacts and severity of flood events.10 Prepare proactively for heat waves, droughts, ice storms, and other types of natural disasters so as to mitigate their negative impacts. Educate the public about the importance and urgency of climate change and carbon emission reduction.SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025 111

1 THE CITY OF LOWELL WILL SET AN EXAMPLE BY PRIORITIZING ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE POLICIES AND PRACTICES.◙◙ Prioritize use of materials made from ◙◙ Maintain Green Community status recycled content for construction and through the Department of Energy rehabilitation of city buildings and Resources to demonstrate the City’s structures, and in procurement of goods commitment to energy efficiency and and supplies. renewable energy, as well as to state grants associated with this program.◙◙ Build upon maintenance practices conducted at Tyler Park and expand an ◙◙ Monitor the performance of the organic lawn care policy to other green recent energy conservation measures spaces in the City, where feasible. implemented under the City’s energy services contract, adjusting operations◙◙ Develop landscape guidelines that identify and practices as needed to ensure that native species and ensure appropriate anticipated energy reduction targets are placement and planting standards be met while providing adequate funding employed in all public projects. and training resources to ensure proper maintenance of equipment and systems.◙◙ Develop snow plowing and deicing policies for roads, parking lots and pathways to ◙◙ Continue requiring all capital building minimize the use of salt and other caustic projects assisted with Consolidated materials. Strategies may include the Plan funding to be Energy Star certified, development of maps to identify where LEED (Leadership in Energy and salt may be used and to help monitor Environmental Design) certifiable, or levels of use. demonstrate comparable comprehensive environmental sustainability if no independent rating system is available for the specific building type.Rain Garden at Lowell High School Photo: DPD112 SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

2 DEVELOP POLICIES AND PROGRAMS THAT WILL BUILD UPON THE SUCCESSES OF REDUCING SOLID WASTE AND INCREASING RECYCLING CITYWIDE.◙◙ Update solid waste and recycling ◙◙ Increase the number of public recycling ordinances so as to expand access to and bins and solar trash compactors available participation in recycling by all residential Downtown and near parks, schools, and commercial properties in the city. public transportation, and neighborhood business districts, exploring contracts with◙◙ Expand on recent demonstration drop-off companies that offer advertiser-funded center projects with a permanent facility collection options. that allows for regular access to recycling and a convenient means by which to ◙◙ Implement a recycling program in the dispose of hazardous materials. schools.◙◙ Explore additional incentives and ◙◙ Expand outreach and education around enforcement tools as well as more recycling, composting, and proper waste comprehensive changes, such as a disposal. potential transition to single-stream recycling, in an effort to improve the City’s ◙◙ Improve diversion of reusable materials recycling rate. such as clothing, furnishings, and household goods from municipal solid◙◙ Explore potential partnerships with waste through donation, public drop UMass Lowell, MCC and other institutional boxes, institutional reuse, and other code- stakeholders to allow for the integration compliant means. of waste stream management systems in an effort to reduce their overall waste ◙◙ Implement diversion and recycling policies generation. for construction and demolition material. Trash bins in Lowell ` Photo: Ben HillSUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025 113

3 DEVELOP PROGRAMS AND POLICIES TO REDUCE THE DISPOSAL OF ORGANIC WASTES INTO THE WASTE STREAM. ◙◙ Prioritize enforcement and ◙◙ Develop a composting program for implementation of the City’s existing all organic waste generated while ordinance for dog waste. maintaining public parks. ◙◙ Implement a food waste program that ◙◙ Process trees that have been cut down works in tandem with the recycling and use the wood chips produced in program. public parks and gardens.Composting bin ◙◙ Support the establishment and expansion ◙◙ Encourage generators of waste oils, fats of composting programs for schools and and greases to recycle these products other municipal facilities that serve food, into fuel and link them to businesses restaurants, institutions, commercial which harvest these materials for fuel cafeterias, and residences citywide. production. ◙◙ Establish an anaerobic digester, a system used to create energy from microorganisms breaking down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen and process organic waste from households, businesses, and local institutions. ◙◙ Encourage local businesses to become certified through the Green Business Program. Vermicomposting workshop at the Franklin Court Community Garden Photo: DPD114 SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

4 IMPROVE WATER QUALITY.◙◙ Continue to support local water quality ◙◙ Encourage companies that produce or advocates. manage hazardous waste to locate their businesses away from the waterfront◙◙ Identify volunteers to assist with so as to discourage the pollution of frequent water sample collection and waterways. processing. ◙◙ Monitor and maintain appropriate◙◙ Develop and implement an agreement levels of fluoridation in water supplies to keep the canals clean. to protect the dental health of drinking water consumers.◙◙ Continue to support facility improvements at the Water and Waste ◙◙ Expand public awareness and Water Department. alternative disposal programs to eliminate pharmaceutical disposal into◙◙ Reduce non-point source pollution for the wastewater system. waterways.SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025 Pawtucket Falls Dam 115 Photo: Jennifer Myers Volunteers cleaning the Eastern Canal Photo: Canalwater Cleaners

5 IMPROVE AIR QUALITY AND REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS THROUGH ENERGY EFFICIENCY ENHANCEMENTS AND THE ADOPTION OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS.◙◙ Incorporate the purchase of more electric ◙◙ Petition the Massachusetts Department vehicles in the City vehicle purchasing of Public Utilities for a municipal policy and plan for the placement of electricity aggregation program, whereby charging facilities to support an electric municipalities would combine the vehicle fleet. purchasing power of individual consumers to secure competitive energy supply◙◙ Install publicly accessible electric vehicle contracts to lower the total electricity charging stations in places such as public costs for ratepayers, and utilize the parking garages and public parks, and resultant access to ratepayer funds to implement parking incentives for electric develop and implement a municipal vehicles in municipal garages. program for promoting energy efficiency retrofitting of residential and commercial◙◙ Develop a streamlined permit process to buildings citywide. support the installation of home-based electric vehicle charging stations. ◙◙ Reduce the carbon emissions from residential, institutional, industrial, and◙◙ Require licensed taxi companies and commercial buildings citywide 20% by operators in Lowell to convert their fleets 2025. to fuel-efficient or hybrid vehicles. ◙◙ Support UMass Lowell in their goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050, and seek to work collaboratively in achieving this goal wherever practical. Public electric vehicle charging station in Lowell. Photo: DPD116 SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

Photo: Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust6 PROMOTE URBAN FORESTRY AS A METHOD FOR IMPROVING PUBLIC HEALTH AS WELL AS THE PHYSICAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT.◙◙ Plant a minimum of 3,000 new trees ◙◙ Improve coordination between citythroughout the city by 2025, prioritizing departments on tree planting procedures.street tree planting, particularly in areaswhere there is a shortage. ◙◙ Ensure that appropriate City officials are properly trained to act as stewards of the◙◙ Conduct a citywide tree inventory, City’s public trees in a manner consistentpotentially utilizing smartphone with the tree ordinance.applications or similar technologies, andperform regular updates. ◙◙ Promote the partnerships that provide free trees to first-time home buyers.◙◙ Update the existing tree ordinance and prioritize implementation to ensure that, ◙◙ Encourage the planting of urban orchards, where appropriate.BewahceonnevFeor opdosFsiobrlee,sptuSbclichetrmeeastiacreSite Planreplaced when they are removed.edge of reservoir ◙◙ Explore the feasibility of establishing an urban tree farm or nursery. existing path parking area stone pines steep slope community gardens tool shed edible arboretum bike parking gateway kids area community S Dakota Street native gateway gathering guild community bike parking food forest gardens hedge row orchardgateway edible 16th Ave S arboretum community gateway parking area playfields food forest nut grove craft guild wetlandSeattle plans to build the largest urban food15th Ave Sforest in the U.S. bus guild 117SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025 Photo: HNarrison Design Scale: 1” = 20’

7 PRODUCE ENERGY FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES.◙◙ Identify the impediments to ◙◙ Identify and assess opportunities for implementation of renewable energy implementing solar thermal arrays on or systems on private homes and near municipal facilities, including public commercial properties, and seek to pools or spray parks. address them through education, permit streamlining, and ordinances ◙◙ Improve education and connect interested which properly balance incentives with parties in Lowell to financial incentive regulation of potentially harmful impacts. programs to encourage deployment of renewable energy facilities.◙◙ Develop brightfields and other large scale renewable energy facilities, particularly in ◙◙ Encourage adoption and market areas that will spur urban revitalization, transformation of renewable energy aid in toxic waste site cleanup, or where technologies. environmental conditions limit alternative redevelopment options, including the ◙◙ Support the continued use of Lowell’s Westford Street landfill and Silresim historic Downtown canal system for utility- Superfund Site. scale hydroelectric power generation, while working to ensure that the owners◙◙ Identify and prioritize installation of solar of these facilities act as responsible photovoltaic arrays and other renewable stewards and collaborative partners energy systems on municipal property, with their neighbors, the City, and other including but not limited to parking stakeholders. garages, schools, and parks. ◙◙ Explore use of geothermal, cogeneration, and storage technologies. Photo: CBA SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025118

Renewable Energy Facilities ! Wind and Photovoltaics ! [ at the Lowell ! National ! Historical Park !! !! ! !! Maintenance ! !!!! ! Facility ! ! ! ! !! ! 4 public schools ! ! including the! !! ! Butler have ! ! !!!!!!! added rooftop ! ! solar arrays ! ! !! Lowell Regional Transit !! Authority Solar Array ! Lowell ! ! ! Memorial !!!!!! !! Auditorium !! Solar Arays Data Sources: ! !! !DPD Permitted Projects ! ! Many private !! ! residential and as of October, 2012 !! ! ! institutional ! ! !! developments! Wind Facilities !! !! incorporate! Public Solar Facilities !! ! renewable! Private Solar Facilities energy facilities !! !! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 119 0 0.25 0.5 1 MilesSUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

8 SEEK TO REDUCE THE ADVERSE IMPACTS AND SEVERITY OF FLOOD EVENTS.◙◙ Enforce Conservation Commission ◙◙ Develop guidelines for low-impact conditions and those of other relevant development (LID) practices, which regulatory bodies. emphasize conservation and use of on- site natural features to mitigate flooding,◙◙ Ensure compliance with new flood zones and introduce performance standards as dictated by the Federal Emergency that prioritize LID as part of the Project Management Agency (FEMA). Review process.◙◙ Ensure that new development that occurs ◙◙ Require high standards for maintenance within flood zones adequately mitigates of flood storage systems, so as to ensure and compensates for any impacts on flood that, over time, stormwater continues to storage and flood control. be managed on site.◙◙ Preserve wetlands throughout the city, ◙◙ If permitted by state statute, explore and identify areas to expand flood the feasibility of developing a regional storage. stormwater utility.◙◙ Identify repetitive damage areas that have ◙◙ Incorporate bio-retention practices into all traditionally been susceptible to flooding. new municipal parking lots and require these practices in private developments.◙◙ Adopt and implement a Green Streets Policy that provides guidelines and ◙◙ Increase cooperation with surrounding performance standards for LID practices towns and neighboring states to as part of the Project Review process (use coordinate dam operations, manage of pervious pavement, rain gardens, etc). flood control activities, and prevent downstream flooding. Photo: DPD SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025120

◙◙ Educate owners of properties located ◙◙ Pursue mitigation funding to reduce Photo: DPD within flood hazard areas as to proper repetitive losses along Black Brook, FEMA-funded valves & pumps control flooding in Lowell. flood mitigation practices, and notify Beaver Brook, and Clay Pit Brook. eligible applicants of available hazard Photo: New England Environmental Equipment mitigation project grant funding. ◙◙ Install backflow prevention valves and other mechanisms on Combined Sewer◙◙ Consider participation in the federal Overflow (CSO) and stormwater outlets at Community Rating System to reduce appropriate locations throughout the city flood insurance rates in Lowell through to prevent river backflow from inundating the implementation of flood plain roadways, pump stations, and other management practices in excess of critical facilities. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements. ◙◙ Increase funding for and improve monitoring and maintenance of drainage◙◙ Develop location-specific strategies for infrastructure. neighborhoods already within the flood zone. ◙◙ Routinely monitor and repair flood control structures, levees, and canal walls to◙◙ Identify and seek public and private sector ensure structural integrity. funding for residents and businesses to implement sound hazard mitigation ◙◙ Clean debris from canals and control measures. structures. A parking lot incorporating bioretention practices Photo: Montgomery County PlanningSUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025 121

9 PREPARE PROACTIVELY FOR HEAT WAVES, DROUGHTS, ICE STORMS, AND OTHER TYPES OF NATURAL DISASTERS SO AS TO MITIGATE THEIR NEGATIVE IMPACTS.Branches dangerously close to power lines. ◙◙ Participate more actively in the Northern ◙◙ Develop a water conservation plan to Photo: Photos o’Randomness Middlesex Council of Government’s reduce water consumption during periods (NMCOG) regional Hazard Mitigation Plan of drought.Xeriscaping can conserve precious water during warmer development and the updating of theseasons. Photo: DarkSevier City’s local Hazard Mitigation Plan. ◙◙ Identify contingency plans and alternative water sources in the event that the ◙◙ Educate residents so that they will be Merrimack River levels are reduced by better prepared to endure periods of drought to levels that impact the function utility service disruption caused by natural and ability of the Lowell Regional Waste disasters. Water Utility to meet water demand. ◙◙ Identify and publicize local and regional ◙◙ Conduct an inventory of buildings evacuation routes. capable of implementing green roofs, and encourage their construction when such ◙◙ Develop a heat response plan to serve projects will have a meaningful impact. vulnerable populations during a heat wave. ◙◙ Maximize groundwater recharge and on-site retention of stormwater in new developments and significant paving or renovation projects. ◙◙ Encourage landscaping practices that minimize irrigation needs, rain barrel usage, and other water conservation measures. ◙◙ Develop a mitigation plan for protecting all cultural and historic resources from natural hazard damage. Photo: JessicaTounzen, USNavy122 SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025

Lowell Emergency Management Truck Photo: DPD◙◙ Hold meetings and open houses to ◙◙ Identify potential heat island locations. Hazard Mitigation discuss water conservation opportunities ◙◙ Establish a warning center for use during and seek to replicate best practices from other municipalities. natural disasters and upgrade temporary shelters to meet Red Cross standards.◙◙ Inventory, map, relocate, and fortify any critical facilities that would be at risk during natural disasters.◙◙ Replace obsolete snow plow equipment with modern and reliable equipment to increase efficiency and cost-effectiveness of snow operations.◙◙ Identify power lines at risk and trim branches that could potentially drown power lines, leading to prolonged power outages.◙◙ Increase public preparedness regarding the dangers of natural disasters (including, but not limited to frost bite, hypothermia, and drowned power lines) and develop multiple streams of communication during emergencies.◙◙ Enforce state building codes designed to protect structures from high winds, earthquakes, fire, and snow loading.SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025 123

10 EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE AND URGENCY OF CLIMATE CHANGE, AND CARBON EMISSION REDUCTION.Solar arrays on public schools can serve as Photo: DPD ◙◙ Promote awareness of climate change ◙◙ Engage students and institutions througheducational tools. through public events, festivals, educational programs, community service, community conversations, and other and service learning opportunities. highly visible initiatives. ◙◙ Produce educational films, campaigns and other materials. ◙◙ Organize and promote friendly competitions citywide such as Getting to Zero and a One Gallon Challenge which encourage the community to adopt an ethic of sustainability. ◙◙ Make climate change and environmental quality data readily available to residents, community partners and other stakeholders through open source software and other engaging means. Photo: Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust124 SUSTAINABLE LOWELL 2025