ARPA Municipal Building Improvements

 Targeted towards funding in School facilities, as well as other municipal buildings for eligible improvements (e.g., HVAC and ADA improvements)

Photo credit: CambodianAmerican

Lowell School District Air Quality Improvement Project  

Improve overall air quality within most of the schools within the Lowell School District, by replacing 280 old, outdated exhaust fans with new, more advanced equipment. The exhaust fans will improve fresh air supply for all classrooms and schools offices within each of the schools being serviced.  Air handling and turnover rates are mandated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The current equipment has surpassed its useful life, and is in need of an upgrade. By delivering this new equipment, the City will be able to comply with state mandates for fresh air turnover rates, and dramatically improve air quality within each school being served.  

Building HVAC Management Control Software Project  

 A comprehensive overhaul in the communication management and programming of HVAC equipment and system controls within 24 schools and municipal buildings in Lowell.  This project allows the DPW to better manage, monitor, and service all air handling equipment within the city by regaining control of how HVAC equipment performs, scheduled to operate, and most importantly, to ensure that the city is providing proper air ventilation throughout each municipal building for the wellbeing of students and the occupants and in compliance with the local and national building code.

Water Treatment Facilities Security Camera Upgrade Project  

Project to install security cameras at the water distribution facilities across the City of Lowell. The Lowell Water Utility maintains the entirety of the potable water treatment and distribution system for the city. Our existing camera system is inoperable due to its' outdated analog technology, and the software platform in no longer supported.  

As stated in the final rule: SLFRF funds are allowed to be used for projects that are eligible under that CWSRF. Under the CWSRF, a project must meet the criteria of one of the following CWSRF eligibilities to be eligible for assistance, including: measures to increase the security of publicly owned treatment works. Security measures for publicly owned treatment works might include, but are not limited to, vulnerability assessments, contingency/emergency response plans, fencing, SECURITY CAMERAS/lighting, motion detectors, redundancy (systems and power), secure chemical and fuel storage, laboratory equipment, securing large sanitary sewers, and tamper-proof manholes. 

JFK Civic Center Air Quality Improvement Project

This program will replace an old and non-operational HVAC system within the JFK Civic Center building with newer, more advanced air handling equipment. The JFK Civic Center Building is a densely occupied, multi-use facility, and is the primary location for Public Safety services (Police, Fire, and Emergency Operations) within the City of Lowell. It is also where the Police Department detention facilities are located, as well as the Department of Planning and Development.  This expenditure is the first of a multi-phase project to update the HVAC systems within the JFK Civic Center.  

STEM Academy Sewer Line Upgrade  

New sewer collection service lines are being installed to accommodate the addition of classrooms and restrooms at the Roger's STEM Academy in Lowell.  The project encompasses the installation of new sewer manholes and wastewater lines, tying them back to the main wastewater collection system, as part of the modular classroom expansion at the STEM Academy.  

The STEM Academy is expanding it's footprint, adding several new classrooms and bathrooms for the increasing number of students that attend this school. This project addresses the immediate need for additional educational space in the City, and is also far less costly, and can be completed more quickly than the alternative of building a new school. 

Modifications to the public bathrooms within City Hall

A project to upgrade and modernize all public bathrooms, within the Lowell City Hall Building, to include more efficient and touch-less fixtures.  The City of Lowell is undertaking a complete renovation and modernization of all the bathrooms within City Hall.  With the bathrooms open to the public, the City has opted to deploy new touch-less fixtures that are more water-efficient and reduce the possible transmission of contact-based viruses and pathogens.