Lowell Historic Board - October 19, 2026

The Lowell Historic Board met on October 19, 2026, to review historic permits and preservation matters. The Board approved a major historic permit for redevelopment of the former District Court site at Hurd, George, and William Streets: demolition of the existing building and construction of a six-story, mixed-use building with 205 residential units. The applicant revised the design to incorporate courthouse references and improve screening, and the Board voted in favor. The 675 Andover Street proposal to subdivide a lot and build a new home was continued to December 14 for additional materials, including tree documentation, visual-context renderings, and drainage/design revisions. A hearing on repairs to the Pawtucket Canal wall at 706 Broadway reviewed several alternatives; the applicant identified mortared stone masonry as its preferred approach, but no Board decision or project cost was recorded. The Board also heard an informational presentation on a proposed 1,500-square-foot addition to the Jack Kerouac Center at 71 Merrimack Street.

Other actions included approval of historic-significance designation for St. Joseph’s Shrine and discussion of creating consistent criteria for possible historic-board fee waivers; staff will research examples, with no policy adopted at this meeting. Staff reported that a non-illuminated sign application for 15–19 Merrimack Street had been permitted, and the Board authorized the next enforcement step for violations at 1 Merrimack Street. No public contract awards, bids, or procurement spending decisions were identified; the redevelopment and construction items were land-use and historic-preservation reviews.