UMass Lowell wants to make the city a destination with a new rink and hotel

"It's critical to activate these kinds of ecosystems."

"It can't just be businesses. It can't just be housing. It can't just be education. It has to be all of that plus entertainment."

"Hopefully, this will bring in additional folks, too. Once they get here, hopefully they'll see how awesome Lowell is and want to stay."

"We want to make our version of Kendall Square. If you think Boston and Cambridge are too expensive you can move to the Greater Lowell area."

UMass Lowell plans a new ice rink and a downtown hotel as part of the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor to increase campus and city activity. The LINC effort seeks to connect innovation companies with students and to coordinate city, state, and private partners for long-term economic expansion. The projects aim to expand the Tsongas Center's capacity by providing a second practice or event space and freeing the main arena for larger conferences, concerts, and trade shows. The downtown hotel will address the current lack of nearby lodging for graduations, tours, and conferences. A request for proposals will be issued following a trustees' vote, with cost and timeline decided by the selected developer.

Read at Boston.com