Previous Years’ Ideas

Canal Power Demonstration

Idea:

Work with Enel to create a temporary exhibit that is powered by waterpower. A streetlamp could be powered, or cell phone charging station, or maybe a LED sign that provides up-to-date information about the canal system. This could be a demonstration but also start a campaign for waterpower awareness of costs and benefits!
Benefit:

We have enough flowing water in our canals to power Lowell for Free, and likely the surrounding areas..why are we not benefitting from our already existing canal system..GO GREEN! We could cut the cost of living, drive innovation, provide jobs, and be a beacon for advancing Eco friendly city life!
Location:

Acre, Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

Canalside Dining

Idea:

A special dining event! Use 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 (see link) [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.

Canalways Trash-Eating Wheel

Idea:

Build a movable floating sculpture that would skim off and collect the trash floating in the canals and/or the rivers around the city of Lowell. Something along the lines of Mr. Trash Wheel in Baltimore. (see URL) It is essentially dumpster on a barge in the canal. Conveyer pulls floating trash out of canal. Powered [Read more…]

Benefit:

It would look cool and clean the waters at the same time! It would benefit wildlife and the environment as well as our tourist industry. I think it’s kind of obvious what the benefits would be.
Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.

Bicycles for All – Help Everyone Find a Bike & Mark a Route

Idea:

Find a good route for bicyclists in a park or on a bike path. Use signs to mark the route and publicize. Perhaps at a special event or in a pilot program, work with the City and Veoride to offer city bicycles on that bike path. This may possibly include working with Veoride to pilot [Read more…]

Benefit:

Exercise for youth. This idea will make city bikes more accessible to more people who might not have a debit or credit card. This would benefit young people and others with limited resources. This would also bring attention to the need for more bicycle paths.
Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.

Classic Downtown Information Kiosk

Idea:

Now that we have movable tables and chairs for Lucy Larcom park, let’s build a temporary information kiosk. This could be put in Lucy Larcom Park or other active areas. Kiosks in golden age style (as in San Francisco) could serve as a focal point and place to exchange information. Perhaps a temporary replica one [Read more…]

Benefit:

Kiosks could define the downtown area, as well as serving as communication centers. A temporary wooden one could pave the way for creating them across the downtown area and give visitors the impression that Lowell is a bustling place with many activities.
Location:

Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

Clean City and Canals

Idea:

At regular intervals, members of our community get together and clean our city streets of trash and stuff. We make a site where people who want to help can get connected with these groups. High school students, Boys and Girls Club, Lowell residents, Canal Water Cleaners, and other community groups join together and clean our [Read more…]

Benefit:

A clean city will encourage people to take walks, jog, bike, and spend time exploring the city. It would also give them a sense of security, which inspires them to shop and contribute to the economic growth.
Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.