Waterfront Park at the Franco American School

Have you visited the renovated Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, located behind the Franco-American building? CBA created a waterfront park around the Grotto, with a sculpture park and walking path housing the Stations of the Cross in a place more accessible to the public. The former orphanage and school in the middle of The Acre was bought and redeveloped as housing by TMI Property Management and Development.

The renovation project began about three years ago with the sale of the former Franco-American School and surrounding property to TMI. The agreement included a pledge to preserve and repair the grotto, which evolved into creating a public space for appreciation and reflection. CBA staff gathered with former students, teachers, and clergy for a rededication mass of the Grotto on Saturday, October 22, 2022.

The Grotto is a replica of the one in Lourdes, France that many Roman Catholics take pilgrimages to. Since it was first constructed, there have been many visitors, including Jack Kerouac. Preserving this property was a priority for the Friends of the Franco American School, who fundraised to revitalize the space while maintaining its unique character. This park connects to the existing Canal Walk, operated by the National Park Service.

CBA has its eye on adding affordable housing units to the adjacent lots, but any proposal to the City to build housing on this site would require traffic relief on Pawtucket St., including improved traffic signaling, altering traffic patterns, and improved access to pedestrians and cyclists.

https://www.lowellsun.com/2022/10/24/gallery-lowell-grotto-rededicated/