KOFI JONES
Director of Communications & External Affairs
(617) 788-3652 (voice)
(617) 721-2231 (cell)
Kofi.jones@state.ma.us
DARRELL LeMAR
Deputy Director of Communications
(617) 788-3655 (voice)
(617) 686-6908 (cell)
Darrell.LeMar@state.ma.us
DEVAL L. PATRICK
Governor
TIMOTHY P. MURRAY
Lieutenant Governor
DANIEL O'CONNELL
Secretary
Patrick -Murray Administration Awards $3M Grant To Lowell’s Hamilton Canal Growth District
Funding key to economic revitalization to Merrimack Valley Region
“Growth Districts are hubs of economic growth and housing development across the Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray. “By identifying districts, such as the Hamilton Canal Growth District in Lowell, and focusing our collective resources on making each one development ready, we are creating the conditions for business growth and community revitalization for years to come.”
The Hamilton Canal Growth District is a 50 acres area that when fully developed will include 550,000 square feet of commercial, 65,000 square feet of retail, and space for over 500 units of housing. This mixed use area is located just west of Thorndike Street, north of Summer Street and just west of Gorham and Central Streets. The entire district is a designated Urban Renewal Area approved by the MA Department of Housing and Community Development in 2000. The district also includes an approved Chapter 40R Smart Growth and 43D expedited permitting area. A portion of the district has received Brownfields assessment funding and recently was allocated transportation bond funding to improve pedestrian access between the commuter train station and the Growth District. The transportation bond bill signed by Governor Deval Patrick in April included a $50 million grant program to assist communities with commercial and residential transportation and infrastructure development, improvements and capital investment projects in identified Growth Districts. Today’s $3 million grant to Lowell is the second such grant award made since the funding was made available.
“The Hamilton Canal Growth District is a true district for growth and renewal,” said Senator Steven C. Panagiotakos. “The investment the Administration is making at this time will enable Lowell to attract additional public and private dollars to complete this vital project and position the city for amazing growth economically.”
Through the Growth Districts Initiative, the Administration is partnering with municipalities that have identified one or more areas for significant commercial, residential, or mixed-use growth. By identifying designated growth districts, the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development will focus resources to ensure that each district is truly “development ready.”
“With these funds, Lowell will now be able to complete the design for the public infrastructure needs on the Hamilton Canal Growth District and begin limited construction of a temporary bridge to aid in the future development of the district,” said Daniel O’Connell, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development. “The state’s $3 million investment will position Lowell to attract additional private and public dollars to complete subsequent phases of this project.”
The Growth Districts Initiative is another way the Administration is coordinating state resources, building relationships with local government and working with regional economic development planning councils to stimulate long term growth. Now with growth districts, a proactive planning process for long term economic growth can be mapped out with municipalities while the state targets its resources to help create the conditions for business and housing growth. Lowell is the second Growth District to receive funding. Lynn has already received a $2.5 million grant from this initiative.
“The Patrick Administration recognizes the importance of making this critical investment to move the state and region ahead,” said UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan. “We look forward to partnering with businesses that will locate in the Hamilton Canal District to spur the innovation economy.”
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The Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development is one of eight Secretariats that make up the Governor’s Cabinet. Under the leadership of Secretary Dan O’Connell, the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development oversees the following undersecretariats: the Departments of Business Development, Housing and Community Development, and Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.