Submitted by City Councilor Corey Robinson

Lowell’s downtown neighborhood is suffering a tremendous blow. They have just received news that Mill No.5, a unique draw to the city, is being suddenly closed and the building being transferred to the Lowell Community Charter Public School.

I have been contacted, personally, on this matter. Also, the City Council has been contacted as a group, to look at the full impact of this transaction.

The decision of private transfer to further the charter school expansion efforts is outside of the realm of a city councilor. I’m willing to explore what is possible and constructive for the City Council to do, within the chartered rights and responsibilities of Plan E government.

Let’s start with some good news. I am glad to see that Lowell Public School’s MCAS scores are above the bottom 10% in the state. Which means, Lowell is not targeted by DESE for charter school expansion, in the way Lynn is now fighting against.

I say that to say this; one of the draws to Mill No.5 was the ambiance. The mill exterior and interior decor lent itself to the vintage, cozy vibe the village of small businesses provided. They harnessed the aesthetic of Lowell’s place in America’s “Industrial Revolution” and put it proudly on display.

I will fully support our City administrations efforts to find similar retail space (both size and price) to retain ALL of these small businesses that help make our city what it is, and what it markets itself as being.

I also think we have a large scale opportunity in our backyard that could be repurposed into a Mill No.5 (2.0).

Imagine repurposing the architectural marvel of the vacant Superior Courthouse which could provide new space for the Luna Theatre, Coffee and Cotton, and all of the other special small businesses. Further, there is opportunity to attract business that don’t exist, yet as well as incorporate an adult food court with culinary shared vendor space opportunities, function space, exhibit space, and other spaces designed to serve our community right off the end of the Lowell Connector.

I realize it is a heavy financial lift that would require a partnership between public and private entities. But, carving out a space that puts all our city has to offer on display may provide the best return on investment we have seen in decades.

I’m open to both, short term and long term mitigation efforts to lessen the impact on small business owners, the employees and loyal customers that have successfully woven together a tight knit community fabric in an area of Lowell that desperately needs just that. We need to encourage MORE of that, so that Lowell can truly become what it imagines for itself and for others.
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