The former Superior Courthouse on Gorham St. in Lowell

by Lowell City Councilor Corey Robinson

Imagine a vibrant, mixed-use hub filled with creativity and community, featuring an upscale food court with a diverse array of flavors. A shared culinary learning space invites aspiring chefs and food lovers to collaborate and innovate. Numerous pop-up retail shops, reminiscent of Mill No. 5, invite exploration, each with a unique story. This dynamic atmosphere thrives within the walls of a repurposed historic courthouse, a testament to transformation and possibility. This dynamic space would be just a five-minute walk from our commuter rail station.

To transform this vision into reality, as many successful communities have done, we need several essential components: clear vision, confidence, and effective leadership.

If we, as a city, cannot envision the potential opportunities that this magnificent structure offers, how can we expect to truly “Move Lowell Forward?”

Looking at the bigger picture, if we fail to recognize the ongoing challenges faced by many neighborhoods and do not focus on finding solutions, what is there to genuinely “Like About Lowell?”

Additionally, if we are unwilling to balance low and moderate-income housing with some market-rate housing for residents with disposable income, where will that leave us?

True confidence in advancing our city goes beyond grand speeches; it is built through decisive action. It demands the courage to evaluate risks and make choices that truly benefit our community.

Given the State Administration’s recent decisions—particularly regarding accessory dwelling units (ADUs), the MBTA, immigration, mental health, substance abuse, homelessness, and several unfunded mandates—I trust you can appreciate why my faith in their leadership is wavering.

For too long, it seems some have been content to let others dictate our city’s identity, direction, and needs. We are exhausted from trying to provide social services for the region.

While I agree that we need more housing, we must not relinquish control over the type of housing that is produced.

It is crucial that we shape this narrative by understanding the diverse circumstances within our community. By allowing our city to remain idle and not taking control of the vacant Superior Courthouse, we are once again letting the State impose its plans on us, regardless of whether they truly benefit our community. This often leads to unintended consequences that we must then confront.

By exercising our right to take ownership of this parcel, we can create a request for proposals that align with our community’s vision. We shouldn’t passively allow a political agenda to shape our identity once again.

Can we attract potential developers interested in creating a commercial and retail hub that not only reduces the tax burden on our residential base but also boosts tourism in our city, thereby strengthening our economy?

Taking ownership of this property comes with inherent risks. We will take full responsibility for securing and maintaining it until we find a developer ready to revitalize this building. Conversely, failing to take ownership of this parcel presents significant risks. If we do not act, we relinquish control over its intended use, which could lead to dire consequences for a part of our community already facing challenges related to disposable income, economic growth and development, and issues with crime and vagrancy. It is imperative that we take decisive action to ensure a positive outcome for the area.

We must stop merely following trends and throwing around popular buzzwords like “community input” and “affordable housing.” It’s time to recognize that this low-risk, easy approach has become a hindrance to real progress. We cannot afford to continue getting in our own way. We need decisive action and genuine commitment to drive meaningful change.

It’s imperative that we collaboratively guide the future of our city in alignment with Lowell’s vision, highlighting our capacity to define our own identity. By taking this bold step, we can create thriving hubs within our community. Once we adopt this mindset, we can effectively support marketing phrases and slogans that showcase the exceptional qualities of our city.