Previous Years’ Ideas

Fix-It Communities

Idea:

This is really based off of existing models, but essentially it would recruiting community members to do different things in hopes of hosting “fix-it” events for all sorts of electronics. Members could help with research, tools, sewing materials, and more. At these events, community members would actively be involved so that they learn how to [Read more…]

Benefit:

It would reduce the number of items thrown away, thus reducing the amount spent on replacement items. It’s empowering for people to learn how to fix their every day items and it really helps to build a strong community bond.
Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.

Flags of the Acre

Idea:

Add flags and art banners to the lampposts along Upper Merrimack Street between City Hall and University Crossing. The art would be inspired by the folks of many backgrounds, races, and ethnicities of the Acre. If there’s enough interest, we could also add history/fact signs similar to the Visualize Lowell’s Black History tour.
Benefit:

It would encourage people of different types to come together around the art and flags. It would add color and vibrancy to the walking route between downtown and the university and also show off the unique character of the Acre.
Location:

Acre, OldIdea.

Flower or pocketpark the corner at Highland Ave/Parker Street

Idea:

This small business block with a large, amorpheous parking lot, serious drainage problems, and a pole waiting to be hit could use defining. How about ripping up some of the crumbling asphalt there and creating a garden triangle?
Benefit:

The corner is caddy, deceptively open, and crazy to navigate as a driver, bicyclist, or pedestrian. Perhaps a corner park, small version of the one at Stevens and Chelmsford, would benefit safety, and certainly would improve the look. It might inspire business there that lasts. (I am not sure how [Read more…]

Location:

OldIdea, Upper Highlands.

Food Cart or concessions stand at Ecummenical Plaza

Idea:

Ecumenenical plaza is a beautiful and spacious court at the confluence of St. Patricks church and Holy Trinity church. Having a food cart that sells affordable, healthy, and delicious food to patrons exploring and working in the historic Acre neighborhood. This cart can be versatile, serving everything from ice-cream to cultural foods. We can also [Read more…]

Benefit:

This plaza would open up a vibrant space, that will allow the public to enjoy the historic acre neighborhood. What better way to draw people to the Acre than with delicious food.
Location:

Acre, OldIdea.

Food History Trail

Idea:

A pop-up trail similar to the Downtown History Pop-Up Trail, but this one could go by local restaurants and talk about their history. For example, Bishops’ has an interesting history about how it started in Lawrence but is now in Lowell. The trail could go between UMass Lowell and Middlesex Community College, and it could [Read more…]

Benefit:

Draw students into the town to different restaurants and teach locals about the history of restaurants. New students may be disoriented because the schools are mixed into the City rather than having discrete campuses. Economic development and culture.
Location:

Acre, Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.