Lowell Historic Board Approves Menzour Street Garage, Debates Smokestack Demolition

LOWELL -- July 14, 2025, Lowell Historic Board approves Menzour Street garage and signals strong resistance to smokestack demolition. The board unanimously approved a 25-by-50-foot detached garage at 80 Menzour Street, the former Paul Tsongas home, with conditions requiring a driveway site plan and approval of garage door materials. The more consequential discussion involved a 160-foot unreinforced brick smokestack on the Lowell Community Charter Public School campus, where structural engineer Nate Roy of Lamoureux Consultants reported deterioration affecting more than 80 percent of the stack's mortar joints. Stabilization was estimated at $455,000, seismic reinforcement at $625,000, and demolition at $150,000; the school also pays $16,000 to $17,000 annually in separate insurance for the structure. Board members said a "very, very compelling case" would be needed to support demolition and urged the school to pursue Community Preservation Act grants and specialty contractor consultations before returning with a formal application. The board also accepted the city's first two preservation restrictions, for 228 Worthen Street and 80 Gorham Street, as restriction holder in perpetuity under CPA requirements.