Merrimack Street Rotating Cultural Exhibit!

Idea:

Work with the Adult Ed center across from the Library to install an outdoor “rotating cultural exhibit.” This would include a couple of structures that could be chained to the fence that would hold items behind plexiglass, frames to be attached to the fence that could hold informational panels, and perhaps some planters for small [Read more…]

Benefit:

This would be a low-cost way to celebrate Lowell’s diversity and create some visual interest and excitement connecting downtown with “Upper Merrimack Street” walking toward UMass Lowell. If the materials are high enough quality and draw a lot of attention, perhaps it would also contribute to interest in redeveloping abandoned [Read more…]

Location:

Acre, OldIdea.

Middle St Al Fresco

Idea:

Allow sidewalk dining on Middle St across from Fuse Bistro. Build a parklet in front the building to show that the ground floor space is in too good of a location to be wasted as office space. I believe Enterprise Bank owns the building. They can move the offices to vacant upper floors elsewhere in [Read more…]

Benefit:

Let's make Middle Street THE dining spot in greater Lowell and make it known that ground floor residential and office space in DTL has a negative effect on business. This will show potential restaurant investors what is possible in that location.

Location:

Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

Mill City Movement

Idea:

Always free, year round all-inclusive fitness movement. Meets outdoors and workout are based on the surrounding – the city is our playground. See “November Project” – look it up online. I want to create a pledge tribe.

Benefit:

Build community and connections between residents of all occupations, ages, races, economic backgrounds, etc. in a way that promotes a healthy lifestyle (taking time to workout and prioritize fitness while also getting a healthy dose of socializing and accountability).

Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.

Missing Tooth Pop-up Business

Idea:

Create a temporary pop-up business at the gap, or missing tooth, in the block of the Enterprise Bank parking lot fronting Merrimack Street. Maybe work with Merrimack Rep, LHS, and the Greater Lowell Tech to create a 2 story building facade. The ground floor would be retail or restaurant and have rotating local businesses selling [Read more…]

Benefit:

Show the public and Enterprise bank how that parking lot could be better utilized as ground floor shops and upper floor office space. More small businesses on Merrimack St creates jobs, increases taxes for the city, and will bring more people to downtown than a parking lot.

Location:

Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

Missing Voices Art Festival

Idea:

Hold a festival for one or more days in a park or public place that is totally open to any type of art—insider or outsider. Create a place where people who feel they don’t have a voice can display their art (poetry, drawings, etc.)

Benefit:

Brings people closer/feel more at home

Location:

Don't Know, OldIdea.

Mixed Media Monthly Performance

Idea:

Music/art/dance collaborations at a library or outdoor space. This could be part open-mic, but have a core group that guarantees a performance every month.

Benefit:

Promote collaborations between different types of media, have a regular monthly performance, activate space, draw people to a new location.

Location:

Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

Mobile Bike Repair

Idea:

Get a bike trailer and stock it with tools. Set up and teach people to repair their own bikes. (Do this in public parks where there is lots of bike traffic). Use Common Wheels Bicycle Co-op as an example.

Benefit:

Lots of people who don’t make a lot of money use bikes to get around. Empower everyone to fix their own bikes, increase safety, and saves money for folks who need it.

Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.

Monthly Filmmaker Meet-Up

Idea:

Determine a location and organize a monthly filmmaker/video producer circle. Work with LTC to provide this circle resources and networking opportunities. Market the circle to young people doing social media videos, retired people who may want to share their interest, and everyone in-between, including crossing cultural lines.

Benefit:

This would generate interest in producing local television or other Lowell-based media. It would promote mixing of cultures and ages. If the circle is successful, it could turn into a group that puts on small film festivals or interactive events.

Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.

Monthly Park Cleanup Competition

Idea:

Kids love their local parks but they tend not to pick up their trash very well. My idea is to come up with a competition for kids to keep their parks clean. Maybe giant containers that they have to fill up with trash or recycling, or some way of judging who get their park the [Read more…]

Benefit:

Kids build a sense of civic responsibility and the parks get cleaner. Also, competition is fun!

Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.

More Buskers!

Idea:

Encourage more local musicians on the street by hiring musicians to set a relaxing mood with synthesizer, guitar, or other instruments in parks or at “Busk Stops” – maybe Lucy Larcom, Mack Plaza, or other downtown parks. Could also be Cambodian or other music from the many cultures of Lowell. Look for soothing melodies. Musician [Read more…]

Benefit:

Fill the air with beautiful sounds from our locals. People would feel more comfortable downtown and it would create atmosphere. It may draw more people downtown. Musician could potentially collect donations for local organizations.

Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.