More Kids Games

Idea:

Fun games for kids during evenings and after school. The community brainstorms active, arcade-style games that kids would find fun and works with artists and community members to build them.

Benefit:

Kid-submitted idea. Parents and kids alike complain that they have to leave Lowell for fun games. If it’s successful, this could prove there’s a market for more permanent kids’ activities in Lowell like an arcade or game center!

Location:

Don't Know, OldIdea.

More Positive Programs for Kids

Idea:

A DIY Lowell team could create an event or event series that will give kids more positive things to do or learn. Perhaps it could be a youth-centered skill share type of event. Projects and activities that are focused on self-esteem, leadership, and positive qualities to develop more skills for youth to lead.

Benefit:

Stronger and more independent children who feel empowered to speak up.

Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.

ID Spots for More Trash and Recycle Bins

Idea:

A DIY Lowell team would map the trash cans in the city (or ask for a map from city officials) and ideate/explore and suggest the places in the city that would benefit from additional trash or recycling bins. This could result in a presentation to City Council, a website, or even be combined with the [Read more…]

Benefit:

It can help to reduce the amount of litter in the city.

Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.

More Water Parks

Idea:

Water Parks in the Lowell area.

Benefit:

Benefit for children.

Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.

Most Endangered Structures List

Idea:

Create a top 5-10 most endangered structure list to alert Lowell citizens to the threat of demolition of our historic structures. DIY Lowell could solicit nominations from the public at-large and then create publicity through local media and present the list to the Lowell historic board and city council.

Benefit:

It would create public awareness that many historic buildings are under constant threat of demolition by neglect. It could motivate public or private interests to rehab these structures. It could become an annual list.

Location:

Don't Know, OldIdea.

Mural of ghost signs

Idea:

All over the city — especially downtown — our buildings have advertising signs (AKA ghost signs). These old signs are fading and suffer when the brick walls get much needed repointing. Why not create one large mural that represents all (or many) of the endangered original signs? Each of the original signs could be reduced [Read more…]

Benefit:

The mural of signs accentuates Lowell and helps our city to retain that unique character that comes from painted wall advertising. The signs can be viewed the way they were meant to be — on buildings — in a more accessible and informative way. The buildings themselves become the historical [Read more…]

Location:

Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

Mural on the Reservoir

Idea:

A mural on a beige wall in Centralville at the Reservoir.

Benefit:

Beautify a boring wall, excite artists, and give them a large, blank wall.

Location:

Centralville, OldIdea.

Pilot for a District-Wide Mural Project

Idea:

Lynn had a large mural project, Beyond Walls, that drew a lot of publicity! We could kick off a Lowell mural project with Lowell artists. This could include small walls outside the historic district such as working with a property owner on Appleton Street, or it could include murals on plywood or on banners that [Read more…]

Benefit:

Beautifying the already beautiful city, tourist target. A small pilot mural project could start the conversation for a bigger grant with a big kick-off that could redefine and draw tourists to new districts.

Location:

Acre, Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.