Happening Now
Gateways
May 31, 2019
Taking in some much needed transit-oriented development in Lowell, MA
by Joe Aiello | Northeast Field Coordinator
“Papier-mache canals flowed in downtown Lowell, men smoking cigars stand by the rail spitting in the waters that reflect the drizzle hopelessness of 1926.” ― Jack Kerouac, Visions of Gerard
Come on, Jack. It’s not THAT bad.
I will fully admit that in the 10 years that I have lived in Cambridge, I have had little reason to spend time in Lowell. That is not a shot at the city - it’s just that there hasn’t been much of a pressing need for me to take the 30 mile trip north over the years. I think I have been there 5 times total before yesterday: twice for a state convention, a Lowell Spinners game, a North-South Rail Link Town Hall, and a Northeastern/Lowell hockey game (Go Huskies!).
After spending time in the city yesterday for MassINC’s Northern Massachusetts TOD Forum, I would really like to get up there more often. The highlight of the day was a walking tour (you can see some of the photos I took in the tweet thread embedded below) highlighting some of the new development and projects surrounding the Charles A. Gallagher Transit Terminal - which handles the commuter rail and local RTA buses. We saw the construction of the “Signature Bridge” , toured the new Thorndike Exchange complex (which, when opened, will have around 150 apartments, retail space, and a restaurant with a roof deck - all across the street from the train station), and walked around what will be the “Big Fill” site (making it easier for people to move around - not just vehicles). Some of us ended the tour getting lunch at a spot in the Mill No.5 development - and that market alone is worth a trip to Lowell! Seriously. Go check it out.
City planners and private developers in Lowell are making the train station a place and not just a “utility”.
It really did remind me of the tour Abe and I took in October of the development in Meriden, CT thanks to the new Hartford Line and each and every time I travel along the Downeaster route up to Portland (I’m looking at you Saco!)
Photo thread from the #MassTOD walking tour around Lowell today. pic.twitter.com/0HfCSKD0xG
— J. Anton Aiello ???? (@aiellobytrain) May 30, 2019
Now if we could only get the MBTA to expand service and make the $10 weekend pass a permanent thing (like my hometown Metra does) then we can see and enjoy the growth happening in our Gateway Cities.
Speaking of TOD and “stations as places”, #SBR19 is about to happen and you are going to want to get on board. http://summerbyrail.com/
"I’m so proud that we came together in bipartisan fashion in the Senate to keep the Southwest Chief chugging along, and I’m grateful for this recognition from the Rail Passengers Association. This victory is a testament to what we can accomplish when we reach across the aisle and work together to advance our common interests."
Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)
April 2, 2019, on receiving the Association's Golden Spike Award for his work to protect the Southwest Chief
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