LINC’s Awakening

Good morning, fanatics. A spell of lackluster meetings was finally broken last night as UMass Chancellor Julie Chen was present to provide an Informational Report on the LINC Project. If you are unfamiliar, LINC stands for the “Lowell Innovation Network Corridor.” LINC promises “collaborations with industry, government agencies and nonprofit organizations” in the form of a “1.2-million-square-foot mixed-use development set to foster a thriving innovation ecosystem that will transform the city’s economic future.”

Last night, Councilor Chen provided updates on some exciting developments coming soon to your favorite city – any one of which would be significant. However, we received a list of the following:

1. 1. A $25 million state and local funding partnership with the City of Lowell to support the construction of Draper’s Integrated Microelectronics Production & Advanced Chip Technology (IMPACT) Center in the Hamilton Canal District.

1. 1. An expansion of 100 Canal’s “innovation hub” that includes a $5M state award to support its “human performance” center.

1. 1. A collaboration with Bioversity – a short-term certificate training program that seeks to elevate workers earning low wages into higher-paying life science jobs.

1. 1. A collaboration with Vets RISE– another training program designed to help servicepersons “transition into dynamic sectors such as biotech, life sciences, and climate tech support, where they can apply their valuable skills to support industries that are rapidly growing and in need of talent.”

1. 1. The purchase of 201 Cabot St (with federal assistance), featuring partnerships with Weston & Sampson (engineering firm), Trident Agriculture, Liberty Mutual, and National Grid.

1. 1. Continued development and repurposing of the Wannalancit Mills.

1. 1. Two new buildings (market rate and commercial) in design phases.

1. 1. Maine’s Sea Dog Brewing coming to the former Brewery Exchange/El Jefe/Something Else I’m Sure I’m Forgetting. Lowell Flick?…remember that?

1. 1. The return of summer baseball to LeLacheur Park in the form of Futures League Baseball.

Chancellor Chen emphasized that all of the above (and more, with more to come), is the result of collaboration all all levels of government. Chancellor Chen emphasized that the goal of the entire project was to bring jobs to Lowell in the hopes that UMass students and Lowell residents in general would remain in the city and have the disposable income to support economic growth.

This is all exciting stuff. An Eeyore may note that some of this is older news and the timing of this report comes on the eve of an election – thus providing incumbents an opportunity to tout a “stay the course” message. Such a killjoy may also note that promises of “jobs” usually entails some sort of public subsidy for private profit. One may also question the larger societal implications inherent in the intertwinement of public institutions and private interests. I’m pretty sure Lowell has some decent examples in its history. Finally, at the same meeting, there was a Public Hearing on the Ordinance to amend the form-based code in the HCD to permit the compromised vision of parcels 2., 3A, 4 and 5. With all of LINC Development and promises of UN-supported development, this feels like a missed opportunity.

However, Eeyore is a drag, so let’s stay focused on the positive – and there’s plenty of it this morning. I’m not sure there’s a bad spot to have a beer in Lowell, but the patio at 203 Cabot when there’s a game in town is among the best.

Well done, Lowell.

Election Pulse Check

If you’re reading this, there’s close to a 100% chance you are voting next week (or would if you lived in the city). But how are we feeling about everyone else? As a reminder, only 7500 came out in 2023. I’d like to think that we can and will beat that number, but are we getting to 10K? Does anyone think anyone is losing a seat? Who comes out on top in District 3?

As a rule, I’m always wrong, so I’d love to hear what people think.