Lowell – On March 23 and 24, a panel of real estate and land use experts will convene at Middlesex Community College to assess barriers to transit-oriented development around Gallagher Terminal in the City of Lowell.
A partnership between the Northern Middlesex Council of Government’s (NMCOG), the City of Lowell, Middlesex Community College, Urban Land Institute (ULI) Terwilliger Center of Housing, and the National League of Cities (NLC) panelists will interview property owners, organizations, and City leaders, assess conditions for housing development, and recommended policy solutions to catalyze transit-oriented development in the area.
The two-day event will conclude with a presentation of panelist recommendations, that is open to the public, and will be held on Monday, March 24 at the Middlesex Community College Carole Cowan Lower Cafeteria from 4:00 to 6:00pm.
All are welcome to attend the final presentation. Advance registration is recommended by visiting https://www.nmcog.org/ULI-TAP.
The opportunity to bring ULI’s Boston / New England Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) program to Lowell arose out of NMCOG’s participation in the National League of Cities and American Planning Association’s 2025-2026 Housing Supply Accelerator Challenge.
This Challenge has convened a nationwide network designed to accelerate the implementation of proven and innovative housing strategies and expand the supply of housing in communities across the country. The program provides opportunities for communities to receive direct support from nationally recognized networks and innovators to implement the recently released Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook.
NMCOG and the City’s participation in the TAP supports an ongoing region-wide effort to address housing shortages across Greater Lowell.
The effort pushes forward several strategies recommended in At Home in Greater Lowell, a community-informed housing strategy developed by NMCOG that includes supporting transit-oriented master planning. NMCOG is also convening a regionwide Housing Accelerator Committee to continue implementing these strategies across the region.
Over the last several years, the City of Lowell has endeavored to attract development in the TAP focus area by amending zoning and parking requirements, creating incentive programs, and marketing the city’s investment opportunities. The City has additionally worked with the community to create a community-led, shared vision for the future through the recent adoption of the Lowell Forward Comprehensive Plan to meet the growing needs of the city.
Lowell has a rich history and a wealth of institutional assets including a national park, a large public university, a major regional hospital, and a commuter rail link to Boston’s North Station. These anchor institutions have made long-term investments in the city and draw people to the region.
Over multiple generations, Lowell has been a place where people can afford to live and work, from long-time Massachusetts residents to immigrants who put down roots in this community with confidence that their children will also be able to work and thrive here. This pattern is changing, however, and Lowell needs housing of all types, sizes, and income levels to support current and new residents and the workforce for its major institutions.
Lowell has put special focus on the area near Gallagher Terminal, including two Urban Renewal Districts (ACIP and JAM), creating a master planned district (Hamilton Canal Innovation District) with pad-ready sites, and expanding its zoning to allow multifamily by-right without parking limitations.
Despite the city’s recent policy work, planning efforts, and emphasis on transit-oriented development, including its existing assets, Lowell has not experienced the anticipated level of new investment and development.
To address these challenges ULI’s TAP panel of real estate and land use will convene and provide objective, expert advice to the City and NMCOG and provide recommendations on the potential, design, or implementation of development initiatives near Gallagher Terminal.
Special thanks to Middlesex Community College for providing meeting rooms and event space for this event.
