Union Crossing/ Canal St. CorridorLawrence, MA
Audrey Nelson Award Recipient 2013The Lawrence CommunityWorks/Lawrence Community
Development Partnership
ReviviendoGatewayDistrict
Lawrence GatewayProject
Spicket River Greenway
50 Island Street/ One Union Street
Union Crossing Phase One
Mill sites are often close to transit and services, but suffer from industrial contamination, aging infrastructure, and
demand for additional parking
Union Crossing:Community Planning Process
All-volunteer Committee helped to shape the project’s design and developmentLCW members were involved in architect selection, site visits, project design, advocacy, and outreach to local residents and businessesMore than twenty charrettes and committee meetings were held from January 2008 to October 2010Community needs and priorities created a mandate for the Union Crossing Master Plan, Vision, and Objectives
Union Crossing architect Bruce Coldham with LCW members at the January 19, 2008 community
meeting
Union Crossing Vision & GoalsUnion Crossing is the next building block in the revitalization of the Reviviendo Gateway District and the City of Lawrence. The project will:
Redevelop Lawrence’s historic mills for Lawrencians
Provide Family and Workforce Housing
Support Local Economic Development
Set a Standard for Energy-Efficient and Healthy Development
Build Resident Assets and Wealth
Promote Education and Wellness
Union Crossing Infrastructure Improvements
New vehicle/ pedestrian Bridge over the North Canal
Brownfield remediation, new storm water system, and improved parking
Streetscape improvements and utility upgrades
Riverfront playground and community gardens
Union Crossing Building
Improvements
View looking north across the Merrimack River
New energy-efficient 1, 2 & 3 BR apartments
New main entrance
Union Crossing Building
Improvements
New 95 kW rooftop solar array
Main lobby and management office
“Front porch” for each apartment
Union Crossing:Community and Economic Impact
• 60 units of energy-efficient, healthy, and affordable housing for working families
• 352 new construction jobs• 200+ new permanent jobs in development• 350+ permanent jobs retained• New United Way/ Lawrence CommunityWorks Family
Financial Center opening in 2013• $133K in tax revenue to City of Lawrence
Funding sourcesEPA Brownfields
U.S. Small Business AdministrationHUD – EDI program
MassDevelopment Brownfields / Commonwealth of MA BRAC programCommonwealth of MA: CDAG/ MORE Jobs / MassWorks
CDBG and HOME programsPrivate equity (Lawrence CommunityWorks and partners)
New England Foundation for the Arts
Tools & Techniques: Partnership is key to success!
