It’s so funny how many people ask me my opinion on the proposed rebirth of old Lowell High School. I have opinions, as always, but also not trying to tick off any of my valued, perhaps, opinionated friends and guests…while they still have a place to park next door!!
It seems no matter what side you are on in this issue, someone else is borderline pissed! For the record…I’m Al Gore on this one. (Flip-flopper.)
It’s funny to hear so many other people’s opinions and arguments. What’s not funny is how nasty people get when someone else does not share their perspective. The simple truth is–opinions are opinions–and there is so often no absolute “right” answer! There surely are some facts.
(Like, fact, taking a downtown business property that has existed for decades, one who has been serving customers and paying taxes, by eminent domain is legal.)
But… is it just?
My opinion as a business person and property owner is, well, that sucks. It’s no wonder the professionals in that building are so upset and have a great lawyer.
Will the students learn better staying downtown, or moving to a brand new facility? How does one even begin to answer that question? One could make a good argument that brand new facilities best serve the students just as easily as one could argue that staying downtown is convenient to a big percentage of kids who may otherwise miss more school. What’s the “better” option?! Is there one? Better for who?
So, my TWO opinions–besides eminent domain laws suck–are “for” and “against.” And I mean that. There is NO answer that will satisfy all initiatives and goals.
– I love the vitality of thousands of teenagers roaming the streets around Cobblestones. Always have. Youth is energy, and excitement, and diversity, and love. Skateboards, head phones, droopy jeans and green hair, holding hands, wrestling, practicing karate, bold t shirts and activism and how many colors and creeds representing Lowell’s future. I love that. I will miss them if the school moves to Cawley Stadium. For the record, beyond many, many potato chip bags blowing in the wind out front, too much gum littering the downtown sidewalk, “occasional” F-bombs, some smashing pumpkins (not the band), and the (lovely) aromatics from a joint being blazed on the Masonic Temple steps, we have had, like zero trouble in the 23 years these kids have walked back and forth twice a day. They don’t stop in for lunch of course, but we have always hoped that they will someday! And, of course, we have had the best support through our years from the faculty, administrators, coaches and parents. We are truly grateful for that.
– That said, from an economic perspective, “we” would surely benefit from those old (dare I say ugly?) buildings being rehabbed (rebuilt!) as fresh new residences and businesses, housing thousands of folks who have money and pay taxes. That sounds selfish, I realize. But honestly, many in this city have preached endlessly about “economic development”, about empty storefronts, failed businesses, the tax base, and proliferation of non profits and those with limited disposable income, etc. Lowell is a never ending struggle to survive financially and it only ever gets better in tiny increments, no matter who is running the show. How many consultant’s and studies have we commissioned through the years to help figure out how to stimulate the local economy? Sometimes, the answer is as plain as peanut butter and jelly–no study needed! If Lowell high school stays downtown, it would be another example of “talking the (economic) talk” but not walking the walk. It will obviously be good for some. It will satisfy historic initiatives, and romantic sentimentalists, those who walk to school, Subway, and many others. But, if “we” as a city decide to keep Lowell high school downtown then let’s realize that all that “destination city” talk and all that business rhetoric, is greatly compromised. BIG decisions and opportunities like this “come along every hundred years or so” according to a local newspaper man. It is business people and residents who drive more restaurants, successful retail and a greater tax base. That’s the rather simple math we probably should have learned even before high school. High school students frolic, and buy pizza. Remember? (Oh, and albums. And Farrah Faucet posters. And candy. And that gum.) But, as they continually blend into the downtown fabric that increasingly includes homeless and pan handlers, the appearance of downtown “Historic Lowell” continues as it always has–less viable, and, well, less successful in its ongoing bid for progression and “There’s alot to like about Lowell,” “Mills to Martinis,” and “Live, work, play.”
(Unless “play” means tag!)
On the economic upside…Dave Daley is developing a building downtown. Thank you Dave! And Sal Lupoli has a great project going at the Thorndike Exchange. Thank you Sal! The judicial center will happen eventually! Thank you “all!”
Business begets business. That’s the math.
Some great momentum is underway in Lowell. Let’s keep that ball, er, stone rollin’!
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