Left In Lowell Comments

by: Christopher

Wed, 23 May 2012 19:47:34 +0000

At the risk of straying further off topic, the Rourke Bridge WAS redone once. The 1980s bridge was the temporary structure intended to last 10 years while traffic needs were studied to determine the need for a permanent bridge. Sure enough, the date now carved into the bridge is 1993 when the bridge was in fact made permanent based on the studies.

by: Lynne

Wed, 23 May 2012 18:31:09 +0000

I believe the Rourke Bridge IS on the list to be replaced, in the not to distant future, Renee. At least, the state is taking (or took, past tense?) bids on design for a new one.

by: djglowell

Wed, 23 May 2012 18:08:02 +0000

Joe, Thank you. I was going to write exactly what you did. I agree completely, Lynne, this wole zero tax stuff just aims at the lowest common denominator of politics and is, as Joe said, the lazy way out.

by: Renee Aste

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:57:13 +0000

Can we get a bridge too? The one built 30 years ago was a temp.

Hopefully the Temple might motivate that effort for the city/state.

by: Joe S.

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:39:48 +0000

If there is waste, or unproductive costs, in the budget to be presented, then the council should identify those areas and reduce the funding appropriately.

However, to blindly follow an ideology of no tax increase by merely punting an X% reduction back to the manager is a dangerously lazy way for a board to act.

When the depletion of the reserve fund occurred several years ago, it was councilor Elliot, as fiscal watchdog, that led the charge to use those funds to reduce the tax rate. He may have been misled on what the true financial picture was at the time, but his current agenda indicates he is following the same path.

So what specific line items include more money than they are worth to the residents of the City?

by: Magnolia

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:38:23 +0000

I was thinking about the parking. I have a feeling that they will only be allowed gravel for parking. Anything else would seriousl;y imnpact the neighborhood. It should be noted that they are taking care of the Clay Pit Cemetery in back of them. That is more than we can say for Dracut,who I believe technically “owns ” it , or Lowell.

by: joe from Lowell

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:48:39 +0000

Joe,

Watch the property values go tumbling down the sewer when this is built

People always bring up “property values” in discussions about the effect of new development, but there is very rarely a negative economic effect from new building. I’ve even heard people assert that rezoning their neighborhood in such a way that their lot can be subdivided into multiple house lots, or rebuilt to add multiple rental units, will harm the value of their property - which is absurd. Being able to sell some land or build rental units increases the dollar value of your property, because you can now make a lot more money off of it.

The real issues with new development are its effect on character, and on infrastructure. Whatever one might think about how this project would change the area, it isn’t going to make people’s land less valuable. Using the language of “property values” is mistaken, and does not really express what most people who use the term mean to say.

by: joe from Lowell

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:33:14 +0000

more than just a Temple. It is a cultural center open to all who wish to come and learn and participate.

If it was “just a temple,” I suspect there would be fewer concerns by the neighbors. Having all of the other activities is going to draw more people, more frequently, than a temple by itself.

by: joe from Lowell

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:26:17 +0000

We have all sorts of churches, including very ostentatious nice looking Greek Orthodox churches around various neighborhoods, what’s the diff?

Those neighborhoods grew up around those churches. They didn’t intrude on neighborhood character; they are the neighborhood character. Whereas this is an established neighborhood, in which something quite different, in both appearance and function, from what is around it is proposed to be added.

Some people would respond to the presence of unexpected, unfamiliar opinions by trying to find out more about those concerns, or at least make a gesture towards doing so before deciding to go to war. Others, not so much.

by: daughterofdoom

Wed, 23 May 2012 15:11:13 +0000

we did a very in depth study of Pawtucketville in an attempt to figure out why the neighborhood group was so hell bent against this. Don’t let PCC speak for you.
While we also spoke to abutters who referred to the flutes and music more “Jethro Tull” like and not at all disturbing. This is a 10-12 acre site, more than enough space to construct what will be more than just a Temple. It is a cultural center open to all who wish to come and learn and participate. Without malice think about it