City Manager Bernie Lynch recently announced that the next area to receive focused attention under the Neighborhood Impact Initiative Program will actually be two areas–West Acre and East Pawtucketville. With similar urban densities, a strong connection via the Textile Memorial Bridge and a growing university presence on both sides of the river, a dual neighborhood approach presents a unique approach to neighborhood development.
“These neighborhoods not only have similar needs in terms of code and public safety issues but also have great opportunities to leverage institutional and infrastructure investments already underway or planned,” said City Manager Bernie Lynch. “The new bridge, new university buildings and other development planned on both sides of the river provide a solid base to support this city initiative.”
The Neighborhood Impact Initiative focuses interdepartmental resources to address a variety of issues and to deliver infrastructure, public safety, housing, traffic and business development improvements. Impact Teams, with staff from Development Services, Police and Fire, conduct targeted sweeps of areas identified as “hot spots” for crime, housing and code issues.
Neighborhood meetings will help identify each area’s unique needs and generate ideas for potential project elements. Over the last three years Centralville, Lower Highlands and Back Central have benefitted from the program, which was launched by Manager Lynch in 2009.
The program utilizes a strategy that focuses investments of staff time and financial resources to help revitalize low and moderate income neighborhoods. Past elements have included:
- Enhanced code and health inspections
- Street and sidewalk reconstruction
- Streetscape enhancements
- Park improvements
- Targeted public safety attention
- Cultural projects
- Business assistance and best retail practices incentives
Funding for the Manager’s Neighborhood Impact Initiative comes from several sources including Community Development Block Grant Program allocations, Chapter 90 funds for streets and sidewalks, economic development incentives and grant funded public safety initiatives.
“We look forward to launching our fourth Neighborhood Impact Initiative and to working with Acre and Pawtucketville residents to generate positive changes,” said Manager Lynch.
For more information on this program, contact Henri Marchand, assistant to the City Manager, at hmarchand@lowellma.gov or (978) 674-1002.
