The Lowell Sun

CHRISTOPHER SCOTT, SunStaff
Wednesday, January 19, 2005 - LOWELL The city, downtown businesses and the United Teen Equality Center are "on the right track" when it comes to the center's temporary home on Merrimack Street, in the heart of the central business district.

At last night's City Council meeting, Councilor James Milinazzo, chairman of the council's economic development subcommittee, gave a brief report on a meeting last week called to address businessmen's concerns that the center's current location isn't good for business.

"It was a well-attended, non-adversarial meeting," said Milinazzo. "And we all know it's just a temporary location."

The center, formed five years ago, has been credited by police officials with helping to stem gang violence.

But its current location, across Merrimack Street from the Bon Marche building, has irritated businessmen.

"I think all parties are on the right track," said Councilor Eileen Donoghue, whose initial motion led to last week's subcommittee meeting.

Until a new home is found, Donoghue said police will keep up their presence in the area. Also, UTEC staffers will try to keep teens from hanging around the sidewalk outside businesses.

In other business in a meeting that lasted less than 30 minutes, councilors:

Heard an encouraging progress report from Salvation Army Capt. Richard Smith. Smith, who was reassigned from a western Massachusetts district to Lowell late last year, told councilors that during the recent Christmas season, the Army helped more than 800 needy families, the most ever.

Army volunteers ringing bells at local shopping malls raised more than $18,000, a record.

Approved hiring a full-time civilian in the Police Department to pursue state and federal grants. The position will pay $40,000 a year, and is being funded through a federal grant.