1. LHS Wrestlers Honored
At the top of the meeting, the Council took time to honor the 2023/2024 Lowell High Girls Wrestling Team. For the first time in the long and storied history of the Lowell High Wrestling program, the school had an all-girls team. Our athletes introduced themselves to the wrestling world by winning every event that entered, including the State Championship. Every event!
Many people are saying that this is the biggest Lowell Wrestling State Championship since your favorite blogger’s 1996 team won it all. I would agree with those people. Congrats to these athletes and coach Nick Logan who is doing a great job at sustaining and growing the program.
Also, don’t look now, but are LHS athletics is on the rebound? We have a new gym, our wresting program is back on top, our boys basketball team dog-walked defeated Andover 53-45 in the state quarterfinals, our cheerleaders are D1 North State Champions, there were reports of record tryout numbers for volleyball, and things are happening at Cawley Stadium. This is, of course, an incomplete list – but keep an eye on these success stories. Esprit de corps is important to the success of a school and a strong athletic program can go a long way in this regard.
2. Smith-Baker Saga Continues
The Council received a response to a trio of motions poking the corpse of the Smith Baker Center:
2/20/24 – Councilor Yem – Request City Manager Have Appropriate Department Apply For Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund Grants From The Massachusetts Historical Commission To Preserve And Restore The Smith Baker Center.
2/20/24 – Councilor Nuon – Request City Manager Update the City Council On The Plan For The Smith Baker Center Regarding Public Safety.
2/20/24 – Councilor Gitschier & Councilor Robinson – Request City Manager Update The City Council On The Status Of The Smith Baker Center Regarding Repairs/Demo Work With Timeline.
We can add last night’s response to our collection of recent Smith Baker reports:
In essence, all of these reports tell some version of the same truth: it’s a historic building and everyone wants to save it, but we’ve neglected it for so long that it’s likely become far too expensive to save.
[Of note: Richard Howe has written extensively on the recent history that gave rise to our current predicament.]
No matter what poor decisions lead us to this point, we still have the problem of a massive and likely dangerous structure in the heart of our downtown. The most recent motion response set forth two possible options:
Option A: Request for Information-Sale
The DPD would publish an outline of the city’s “minimum value” for the property and ask buyers to make proposals as to what their plans would be for the property – and how they intend to pay for it. The property would be sold “as is,” and without restrictions (beyond existing zoning & historic restrictions). This option would also require use of a magic wand.
Option B: Demolition by the City – Sale of the Lot for Affordable Housing
The second option would require a vote by the council to tear the damn thing down and permit a developer to building “affordable” housing.
Base on prior motion responses and last night’s discussion, Option A seems like an extreme long-shot. Potential buyers have had years to take the property and none have emerged. The timeline set forth last night would require someone to step forward by April 17th with an offer. That’s not happening.
Which takes us to where we have been headed for about a decade now: the tear-down. The only question of consequence at this point is how we should develop the parcel once it’s torn down. Can we save some artifacts? Can we save the Merrimack Street facade and incorporate it into the design of a new building? What kind of housing can we build?
As to the last question, any transfer of the property to any entity other than a non-profit community development organization will trigger a clause whereby the city will have to pay HUD the current fair market value of the property.
Given the spring timelines for deciding on a course of action, we can expect to hear more on this issue in the coming weeks.
3. The Rest
- The Office of Cultural Affairs and Special Events gave a very nice presentation on the success of our most recent Winter Fest.
- Mikaela Hondros-McCarthy was reappointed to the Sustainability Council. Big news for fans of questionable (at best) snack recipes.
