Left In Lowell

Hotel Yes, Arena…No?

10 Responses to “Hotel Yes, Arena…No?”

1. Ryan Adams Says:
   July 14th, 2009 at 5:50 pm

   One thing the University probably has access to that the city doesn’t is more credit. I’m pretty sure UMASS can get more longer-term bonds than Lowell can (at least without passing an override, of course).

   BTW: I’m dubious to the idea that the city can recoup costs by investing more money in it. What’s more likely, should the city do it, is they’ll invest the money and just have a bigger deficit problem. It may be worth such a thing if it would add greatly to the culture and atmosphere of the city, but it seems like the city’s going to be chasing at windmills if it thinks they can get a return on future investments.

2. Bob Forrant Says:
   July 16th, 2009 at 12:46 pm

   The Inn and Conference Center can work well if it is done properly. There is a growing list of urban universities that have had a very important positive impact on their neighborhoods and downtowns. Close to here, Clark University is a model for how to fully involve the neighborhood and local merchants in a long-term strategy to improve housing, retail spaces, and education. So long as the ICC develops ways to purchase lots of food from local restaurants, decorates many of its common spaces with local artisits’ work. purchases fresh produce and dairy from our wonderful local farms and maybe even begins to purchase some furniture from furniture makers out along Route 2 this will boost the local economy. At the same time, using the space for lots of education discussions, conversations, film nights, etc will help to make the downtown a more attractive place for folks to live in and visit on a regular basis. Finally, activities that bring together instructors from Lowell High, Middlesex, and UML can help to build stronger pathways for the city’s young people to see their way clear to higher education and this will help to get many of the too insular faculty at UML downtown to boot. Canal boat tours for all parents during parents’ weekend will also help more people to see what an interesting city we have.

3. Lynne Says:
   July 16th, 2009 at 2:19 pm

   For some reason, I don’t trust the current University administration with the concept of community involvement.

   Seeing as the recent budget slashes were largely targeted at very successful, very important programs connecting UML to the community at large.

   So I’m skeptical.

4. Lowell Resident Says:
   July 16th, 2009 at 3:03 pm

   the reason is because you don’t like Marty.

5. Bob Forrant Says:
   July 16th, 2009 at 3:17 pm

   I think healthy scepticism is always a good thing - I’ve always been an I’ll believe it when I seeit kind of a guy. But in this case UML is taking a sizable risk because if this does not work well they will have the proverbial white elephant on theirhands with no tag sale large enough in this economy to unload it. So, as someone who has been an advocate for a substantial UML presence in the downtown and as someone who intends to work hard within the university pushing for things along the line of post #2, this has a great shot of providing some new sparks to the downtown, a shot in the arm to local farms, a boost to retail and restaurants and it is a way to introduce the parents and grandparents of students living in the space to the good stuff that we all like about the city. At the end of the day from my vantage point, this is bigger than the personalities involved and very important to the success of the nextphase of the city’s development. Once the seeds are planted the entire project will take on a vibrant life of its own - I hope!

6. Eleanor Rigby Says:
   July 16th, 2009 at 8:52 pm

   I read the Boston Globe’s NorthWest edition today and it had an article on how great the UMLowell takeover of the Doubletree will be for downtown.

   Not a word about how much tax revenue the city is out!

   It was like Marty himself wrote it!!!

7. Lynne Says:
   July 17th, 2009 at 7:59 am

   Lowell Resident: wrong. Nuff said.

   I judge a person on their actions and their words. I don’t trust Meehan’s administration after the way he’s administered. That’s it. That’s the plain truth. If you don’t like it, then tell me how I’m wrong, instead of throwing out accusations that mean nothing.

   I used to defend Meehan to his detractors in the larger Democratic party. You know nothing about my motivations or how I arrived at the conclusions I have now. Stop trying to pretend otherwise.

8. fishydude Says:
   July 20th, 2009 at 9:40 am

   UML should not be using tax payer money for any hotel or arena.
   If either one is economically viable, then the private sector can do it.
   Tax payers should not be funding these boondoggles.

9. joe from Lowell Says:
   July 20th, 2009 at 10:12 am

   How far this city has come! Ten years ago, everyone would have been thrilled at the potential for the University to bring more people into the downtown. It would have been seen as a great way to generate more street life, and provide more customers for downtown businesses. Now, we’re talking about property taxes.

   Institutional creep is a real issue - I don’t know exactly what I think about the University taking over the hotel. However, we need to think about downtown revitalization and the city’s fiscal position in a comprehensive way, not look at the tax consequences of each individual property in isolation.

10. waittilnextyr Says:
    July 20th, 2009 at 11:31 am

    The potential of a UML Inn and Conference center downtown can be realized with the University and the City working together. That can be far greater than the property tax revenue that may be lost in the process. The naysayers must step out of the way of progress if they have nothing better to offer.

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