Last week, we shared news there’d be visible activity this week regarding the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center and its conversion to an emergency shelter, in anticipation of a December 18 move in date for the first influx of residents.
The most visible sign of that conversion appears to be the removal of the UMass Lowell logos and Inn & Conference Center signs which once adorned the building.
Only the canopy over the main entry way to the lobby remains as an indication to passersby on Warren Street that UMass Lowell owns the property. The front signage, visible from Merrimack Street, was also removed from the facade this week.
The developments are yet the latest evolution in a building that once housed infinite promise of economic development for the City of Lowell, first as a Hilton Hotel in 1986, before eventually becoming a Sheraton, Double Tree and then the UMass Lowell ICC.
What it will become at the conclusion of the 1-year lease, with 1-year extension, that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts now holds to use it as an emergency shelter will be the subject of much speculation and discussion in 2024 and 2025.
But at least to this writer, for now it sits as a sad reminder of what might have been.
13 responses to “Signs of Change in the Air”
Very sad. While I haven’t kept in touch with downtown Lowell after moving away, it always saddened me that Lowell’s downtown was left to decay. The bones have been strong for quite some time, but the right mix of leadership and capital just never emerged.
Remember, Remember, come the 5th of November (2024)…
Elections have consequences and Governor Maura Healey was happy to take her shot at destroying Lowell’s downtown economy.
Remember this and the State Reps who did nothing to stop her.
Lowell has become the dumping ground for the whole state now. This face left says it all. This will be the new home of all migrants to Massachusetts. Welcome to Lowell!
I think that it should be brought back to a hotel and not just for conferences but a general hotel but if it is decided to turn into a shelter lets ours first we have so many homeless people and families with children homeless HELP OURS FIRST AND FOREMOST
I don’t necessarily like this but it’s here for a year.?
I don’t know how successful this hotel has been the past few years.
A loss to the city not having guest rooms, function rooms available downtown
Hoping after the year lease(?) their may be another plan to improve our downtown and utilize this space for as MCC proposed
Positive thoughts to those living and working downtown and downtown businesses
It’s disheartening that individuals in Lowell continue to hold migrants responsible for the failures of our leaders. The true issue lies within the city’s inability to support downtown businesses, mishandling funds, lack of investment in affordable housing, education, and assistance programs. Instead of blaming migrants, we should be directing our frustration towards city leaders. We need to demand accountability from our state representatives and stop scapegoating migrants who have always played a vital role in building Lowell. We can’t selectively choose which migrants can call this city home.
Elections have consequences please note for 2024
This is what an incompetent administration in Washington has given us, open boarders, crime escalation and ruinous inflation. Care to comment Rep Trahan?
I cannot believe that this went through without more of a protest. The city waited so long for this hotel and economic growth. Now we have turned it into a shelter. I for one as a small business owner took a hit when they closed. I’m sure the domino effect has been felt throughout the city. One question? Are you putting all of the city’s homeless and Vetrans in first? What a total shame.
The whole intention by passes Lowell’s homeless who spend most of their day on the street not in the shelter. This was not a last resort but I blindsight to the businesses, downtown residents and MCC which is adjacent to the now migrant center. There is no outdoor space for families except an area very close to the canal or the parking garage. This is a total fail for the governor, reps and city. This would not happen in another city . I don’t believe they looked hard enough to find another location in another city.
Lowell has been a haven for immigrants and refugees for as long as I’ve been alive. Either you know nothing about Lowell, or feel it’s the time to vent your racist and xenophobic frustrations.
Lowell’s downtown has faced prolonged challenges, but attributing the conversion of the hotel into a migrant shelter as the core issue overlooks the true concerns about people’s perceptions and attitudes toward migrants. The decline in downtown businesses primarily results from the city’s struggle to retain businesses and mismanagement of city funds, exemplified by the exorbitant $380 million expenditure on the high school. Those lamenting about the city’s population fail to actively support the homeless by attending council meetings or advocating for them, and fyi, merely commenting isn’t effective. Pretending to care now about migrants taking up space after neglecting homeless issues seems disingenuous.
@Joseph Culbert
I believe the reason that it went through with so little protest is that the Governor has abrogated to herself emergency powers and is able, using these emergency powers, to force this decision on the citizens of Lowell without any consultation with representatives. This is similar to the previous COVID-related actions by the previous governor. Representatives are also responsible, but I think that they can’t actually do much but complain, until the governor ceases to have the emergency powers which she has conferred on herself. I welcome corrections though, and proof that local representatives have some power in this matter if I’m wrong.