The LRTA, owner and operator of the Rourke Parking Garage facility and adjacent access areas, will be an important partner in the endeavor to create a more user-friendly terminal. The LRTA is strongly encouraged to work better to include all potential users, both motorists and pedestrians. By improving the pedestrian experience in the environment surrounding the Gallagher Terminal, the LRTA can potentially increase the number of users of its facilities. The LRTA should be engaged in a series of dialogues to determine the best plan for implementing some or all of our incremental proposals for pedestrian access. The MBTA is also a potential partner and funder of the major projects identified in this section, as they operate the rail service to and from the Terminal. The MBTA could provide logistical assistance to promote the Lower Highlands (among other neighborhoods) as a destination within Lowell for disembarking passengers. It would be in the best interest of the MBTA to ensure adequate and legible wayfinding and signage from Gallagher Terminal to different Lowell neighborhoods. This would ensure that visitors to Lowell feel at ease in the city, and are then more likely to make repeat visits. Once visitors recognize that MBTA via the Gallagher Terminal is easy to use, the MBTA will reap the financial benefits. Neighborhoods included in the wayfinding system also have much to gain. The high-profile Hamilton Canal District, for example, might be interested in increased tourism. It would behoove Trinity Financial (the Master developer of the District) to partner with the Gallagher Terminal and MBTA to help in the creation of a wayfinding system. Given the strong cultural diversity and heritage of Lowell, we encourage the revitalization of the park and open space area between Lord Overpass and the LRTA parking garage for use as a public art display area, a gathering space for live performances, and an open recreational area. A few of the potential partners to assist in the programming of this space are the Cultural Organization of Lowell (COOL), the 119 Gallery, the Revolving Museum, UMass-Lowell, and Lowell Cultural Council. Lowell Cultural Council, in particular, offers grants for public art works that benefit the Lowell community.
56
LOWER HIGHLANDS NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN