Lowell's revival is a success story

"WHAT RENAISSANCE?" (Ideas, Sept. 9) misses the canal boat in its analysis of Lowell's revitalization. By focusing only on the city as an economic engine, it tells a misleading story about a supposed effort to redevelop Lowell as a manufacturing and employment powerhouse - a narrative at odds with the vision that has actually guided Lowell's redevelopment.

Unlike Louisville, Ky., and Dubuque, Iowa, Lowell is not its region's largest city or major employment center. Nor is it located in a region suffering from economic decline. Thus, Lowell has not needed to dedicate itself to preserving the region's job base. Instead, Lowell's economic strategy has largely focused on the role business plays in the character of the community. Efforts have centered around preserving and revitalizing neighborhoods and downtown; on developing businesses and institutions that make Lowell a destination city; and on leveraging the character of its unique physical assets: waterfronts, buildings, streets. Lowell thereby has been able to attract homebuyers, developers, artists, and business owners.

Grading the Lowell National Historical Park, LeLacheur Park, or the Tsongas Arena as jobs projects misses the point. Lowell is recognized as a redevelopment success story because it has succeeded at what it set out to do: to once again be a community people are proud to claim as their own.

JOSEPH P. BOYLE
Lowell
The writer is former neighborhood planner for Lowell.

AS A third-generation, lifelong resident of Lowell, I am compelled to write in reference to Alan Wirzbicki's article regarding Lowell's revitalization.

As the hundreds of new residents are aware, Lowell is a community that is diverse and inclusive. Rather than chasing the poor from the city, the increased tax base provided by the newcomers and the hard work of our public and private partners have provided new schools and refurbished parks throughout Lowell.

We are proud of our ability to adapt to change, rather than rigidly following anyone's formula for success. The fact that the poor are welcomed along with those better off is a credit to the city, not a failure, as Wirzbicki implies.

I ask those who read the article to visit Lowell and judge for themselves. I'm sure they will see that there's a lot to like.

PATRICIA SULLIVAN TALTY
Lowell
The writer is assistant city solicitor.