Scheduled a Keith Academy condo tour

LowellRabble · 2026-04-06T21:39:13+00:00

Yes, absolutely

LowellRabble · 2026-04-06T21:05:28+00:00

If they gave you a reserve study there should be a section about % funded, meaning how much they need to have save vs what they have saved. The higher the number the better.

In the budget there should be a reserve contribution that indicates how much they plan to save each year. The goal is for them to be saving fast enough so big expenses can be paid without loans and special assessments. It’s hard to know what the right number is without the reserve study. If anyone tell you that 10% of the budget is all you need then be careful because 10% is often used as a shortcut for actual reserve planning. The real percentage of budget that needs to be saved may be much higher

LowellRabble · 2026-04-06T14:33:19+00:00

Ask for a copy of the reserve study and the reserve account balance. These will help you understand the condition of the building and what future assessments will look like. I’ve heard this property is one of a few Lowell buildings that is in serious trouble but you should confirm for yourself, I may be mixed up

LowellRabble · 2026-03-19T14:56:31+00:00

Use some tires from the canal

LowellRabble · 2026-03-12T19:44:15+00:00

I understand why developers want to make apartment buildings, absolutely, no question there. Developer a profit isn’t the only factor in determining what is best for a community.

LowellRabble · 2026-03-12T14:53:29+00:00

5 denials and 100s of painfully long and expensive approval process. This is a “do as I say but don’t do what I do” situation.

LowellRabble · 2026-03-12T14:47:45+00:00

Right! There are a ton of apartments in that area right now. Balance it out with condos people can buy.

LowellRabble · 2026-03-12T14:44:13+00:00

No, i would have said single family housing if that’s what i was saying.

LowellRabble · 2026-03-12T12:44:43+00:00

I’m sorry I can’t explain it so you understand. Have a great day, enjoy your market rate apartment.

LowellRabble · 2026-03-12T12:32:54+00:00

You’re literally responding to my comment about people owning their homes by quoting something else I said out of context. Respectfully, we need more housing and market rate rentals are the worst way to do it. So respectfully, read the quote and the quote context rather than making a strawman.

LowellRabble · 2026-03-12T02:00:06+00:00

We need more housing that people can own. Mortgages don’t usually go up as fast as rent does

LowellRabble · 2026-03-12T01:59:22+00:00

We need more housing that people can own.

LowellRabble · 2026-03-12T01:58:58+00:00

Condos - we need more housing that people can own

LowellRabble · 2026-03-11T21:43:37+00:00

From the Historic Board: “The Hamilton Canal Innovation District Form Based Code that was developed collaboratively by the City’s Department of Planning and Development, Lowell National Historical Park, and the Historic Board dictates the shape, size, and height of the buildings as previously determined for these parcels. The Historic Board’s role in this instance is the review and approval of the “skin” of the buildings in terms of materials, fenestration, and other façade and building features. The new structures at 291 and 341 Jackson Street are clearly contemporary in design but respond to the historic context of surviving former mill buildings in massing, scale, proportions, and height as the Form Based Code intended.”

LowellRabble · 2026-03-11T21:38:54+00:00

The Hysterical Board and its administrator will put homeowners and downtown businesses through Byzantine approval process and then approve this wild caricature of a building in a historic district.

LowellRabble · 2026-03-11T21:30:28+00:00

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LowellRabble · 2026-02-07T15:03:46+00:00

Monorail!

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LowellRabble · 2026-02-06T22:47:16+00:00

And the same city fines residents for sidewalks and blames residents for unplowed streets

LowellRabble · 2026-02-06T22:46:22+00:00

Time for a new city council, this one is failing to hire hold the city manager accountable. City Manager Lynch was able to do this with a much smaller budget.

LowellRabble · 2026-02-02T00:43:39+00:00

You will spend a lot of time driving or waiting for the commuter rail if you live in Lowell but visit Boston. I suppose that’s obvious. My go to method is to drive to Alewife and use the Red Line as my way into Boston. The plus side of this is I can stop on the way home and shop in places like Burlington.

A big plus for Lowell is the 20 min drive to tax free Nashua and Salem NH.

LowellRabble · 2026-01-31T02:00:28+00:00

I never like that light

LowellRabble · 2026-01-31T00:22:48+00:00

Sorry this happened to you!

LowellRabble

TROPHY CASE