Barriers into Bike Parking

Idea:

Modify existing concrete barriers used during festivals. Drill holes in the barriers to hold a loop of rebar so folks visiting the festival by bicycle can lock their bikes to the loop of secured rebar on the barrier.

Benefit:

Allows increased bicycle access to downtown festivals.

Location:

Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

Beautiful Canalside Dining Night

Idea:

A special dining event! Use Lower Locks, Lucy Larcom Park, or another canalside space to set up tables for one evening. Downtown visitors may order a special meal from one of several participating restaurants, and a waiter will bring the meal to the canalside table. It would be much like “Savor the Summit” Grande Table [Read more…]

Benefit:

This would bring additional exposure to downtown restaurants and to Lowell's underutilized canalside space. It might inspire more use from the former Sun printing building. People may try a new restaurant if it's in a fun new context and want to visit their bricks-and-mortar establishment if they like it.

Location:

Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

Beer Garden at Kerouac Park

Idea:

Host a beer garden, specializing in local breweries at Kerouac Park. Include music and local performers.

Benefit:

Bring more people out to Kerouac Park to enliven the underutilized space and encourage opportunities for new uses of the park space.

Location:

Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

“Before I die…”

Idea:

Choose a large public space/wall, perhaps empty/abandoned buildings or fences. Paint the wall with blackboard paint. Have chalk available. People write one sentence: “Before I die I want to…” (fill in the blank).

Benefit:

Reduce the stigma of talking about death, opportunity for self-expression, increases awareness of others' thoughts…

Location:

Don't Know, OldIdea.

Envisioning a Better Transit App

Idea:

Riders of the Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA) are often frustrated by the limitations of existing transit apps. This project would provide pop-up tabling, focus groups, surveys, or other methods to reach LRTA riders to identify “bugs” or desired features. The result would be a mock-up or framework of an improved app that could recommend [Read more…]

Benefit:

This could inspire LRTA to invest in a new app or perhaps be a bridge to working with UML or other agencies to create the app. This would also draw attention to public transportation options.

Location:

Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

Bike Helmet Decoration

Idea:

Get everyone together to an event with foam, hot glue, small plastic toys. Families work together with their kids in creating fun and colorful bike helmets. Could take place at Western Ave Studios or another place.

Benefit:

Increased visibility and safety for kids on their bikes.

Location:

Acre, OldIdea.

Bike Lane Network

Idea:

Too expensive for DIY to handle, but recommend a series of planning meetings to discuss and then create a plan for a network of bicycle paths and lanes to connect the City with the Bay Circuit trail. We produce a map of existing and recommended bike trails.

Benefit:

It would help in 2 ways: 1) create safer routes for bike travel within the City and 2) bring riders on the Bay Circuit trail into the City, and helping businesses within the City add clentele.

Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.

Bilingual Kerouac

Idea:

Kerouac was a bilingual author. In a city where the residents speak many languages, a project honoring Kerouac’s many “voices” seems appropriate. I would like to see a project that nurtures the next generation of Lowell’s writers and especially encourages young people who speak different languages in various parts of their lives.

Benefit:

Location:

Kerouac, OldIdea.

Billboard Map and Temporary Trail

Idea:

Pick historical Jack Kerouac locations throughout Lowell and put sidewalk stencils and temporary lightpost signage at each location. Make a billboard map installed at Kerouac Park with pamphlets people can take for a walking tour of all the locations.

Benefit:

Location:

Kerouac, OldIdea.

Blank Pad

Idea:

A monument shaped like a “blank note pad” that allows the public to write their thoughts on the this note pad and every year on Jack’s anniversary, the pad is Re-painted as a new blank page for the public to re-visit.

Benefit:

Location:

Kerouac, OldIdea.