JAMbra makes a
difference in Lowell
Karen Bell
The JAM District in Lowell, defined by
Jackson, Appleton and Middlesex Streets,
is bursting with entrepreneurial
spirit. This long neglected area of
the city is the focal point of a
revitalization unparalleled in the
city’s history. Beginning in
1996 with its designation as an Economic
Opportunity Area the JAM district’s
businesses and residents participated in
meetings and helped develop plans to
change the face of the
neighborhood.
The business and residents’ group,
JAMbra, was founded in 2004 by Karen
Bell, owner of The Club – Fitness,
Health & Spa on Middlesex
Street. Working in partnership with
the city, this very active group has a
mission to make the area an inviting,
safe, attractive place in which to live,
work and play.
 Its list of goals and
objectives includes; semi-annual clean up
days, the installation of surveillance
cameras throughout the neighborhood, the
implementation of recycling, the
development of streetscapes that reflect
the historic neighborhood, the support of
new urban development concepts which
promote a harmonious residential and
business community as well as long-range
plans to connect the downtown, JAM
district, Hamilton Canal and Gallagher
Terminal as an expanded, cohesive
downtown.
On Saturday, May 3rd more than 50
volunteer residents and businesses from
the JAM District and surrounding areas
joined JAMbra Clean-up day.
Breakfast was donated by Dunkin
Donuts. The City Parks Department
Director, Tom Belgarde, made sure that
volunteers were well equipped with
brooms, rakes, shovels and trash
bags. Trinity Ambulance was, as
always, there to help. Weza
Landscaping worked to plant shrubs, while
Maquire and Son Painting made a dramatic
difference by painting the Hanover
Leather store front.
“Everybody got there” because
WCAP did a tremendous job promoting the
day. Our thanks to Harmon’s
for supplies and Assistant City Manager
T.J. McCarthy for help with street
cleaning and trash pick-up.
Following a tireless effort by all the
volunteers, lunch was served at The
Marston Building.
Our very special thanks to Espresso Pizza
on Central Street for delicious Pizza and
The Lowell Transitional Living Center for
scrumptious hot soup and salads. It
is amazing to see the difference in a
community that can be made by people
working together.
The new Early Garage is open and great
space is available for anyone interested
in “getting in on the ground
floor.” JAMbra is working on
attractive financing packages with The
Washington Savings Bank.
The Marston Building has undergone an
amazing revitalization. Condos on
Jackson Street are now populated with
“new urbanists” who are happy
to get involved in their
neighborhood’s development.
Trinity Financial is in the wings with
the Hamilton Canal Phase I. 165 Jackson
St. is being transformed into the new
home of Lowell Community Health. Along
with numerous residential lofts by the
Architectural Heritage Foundation in
Partnership with Bank of America.
There are even plans for a “Black
Box Café Theatre” by the developers
of The Appleton Mills Cotton House
Lofts. The JAM District is creating
new energy in Lowell.
On June 14, JAMbra is planning a festival
with Honorary Chaiman, Mayor
“Bud” Caulfield, appropriately
named a “JAMBRAree.”
Celebrating art, creativity and the
adventurous spirit in us all, the
JAMBRAree will begin on Middlesex and
Marston Street with a street fair and
entertainment from noon until 5:00
pm.
A classic car show, raffles, business
exhibits, craft and jewelry sales, face
paining, fortune telling, clowns,
balloons, street entertainers and various
food booths will be streetside. The
new Marston building and The Charter
School will host art exhibits. The
daytime fun will be followed by a
reception on the top floor of The Early
garage from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, featuring a
local group now receiving national
acclaim, Hot Day at the Zoo.
To participate in JAMbra or the coming
JAMBRAree: Contact: Karen Bell 978
441-1166 for sponsorships, exhibits, food
Bob Dugar bobdu@lchealth.org
for sponsorships or exhibits
Jessica Hossman jessicahosman@gmail.com
entertainment
Crafts, art, etc.
Look for complete list of participants
and schedule of events in the June
issue of The Valley Patriot.
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All
pictures and material are
(C) copyright, Valley Patriot, Inc., 2008
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