City of Lowell Selected for TDI District in Cambodia Town
Three-year partnership with MassDevelopment will accelerate economic growth, placemaking, and small business support in Lowell’s Lower Highlands neighborhood
The City of Lowell has been selected by MassDevelopment to receive a new Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) district designation in Cambodia Town, located in the Lower Highlands neighborhood of Lowell. The three-year program will bring a dedicated TDI Fellow to the district along with technical assistance, grant funding, and strategic support to accelerate economic development and neighborhood revitalization.
Cambodia Town is the cultural and commercial heart of Lowell’s Cambodian community. Anchored by Clemente Park and Pailin Plaza, the area is well-known for its outstanding cuisine, vibrant cultural traditions, and strong network of community-based organizations. The newly designated TDI district is centered around Middlesex St and Branch St, extending east to Thorndike St and west beyond School St.
Over the next three years, the TDI partnership will align organizations and stakeholders to lead district revitalization, implement coordinated marketing and promotion strategies, and improve public infrastructure and walkability. Key priorities include supporting small businesses with technical and financial assistance, improving physical connections to the Gallagher Terminal and the rapidly growing Hamilton Canal Innovation District, and advancing culturally significant investments that celebrate Cambodia Town.
“This designation represents a major investment in one of Lowell’s most vibrant and culturally significant neighborhoods,” said Lowell Mayor Erik R. Gitschier. “Cambodia Town is an essential part of our city’s identity and economy. Through this partnership, we will continue to celebrate its cultural heritage while strengthening opportunities for small businesses, residents, and future generations.”
Clemente Park is currently undergoing a $1.8M redesign as the City leverages American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds to create new accessible recreational features and expanded green space. Additional improvements, including traffic calming and roadway realignment at the intersection of Branch St and Middlesex St, are funded and scheduled for implementation.
The TDI program uses a place-based accelerator model to advance real estate development, small business growth, arts and cultural initiatives, and public realm improvements in Gateway City commercial corridors. The program is designed to build long-term capacity through sustained community engagement and partnership development. Key to the program is building greater access to economic capital and wealth-building opportunities for residents.
The new district follows the success of the Acre TDI district, which was designated by MassDevelopment in 2022, to foster community investment and catalyze economic activity along a key corridor of upper Merrimack St.
With strong cultural heritage, commercial demand, and a series of catalytic public investments already in motion, Cambodia Town is well positioned to leverage the TDI designation to achieve inclusive economic growth.
“Cambodia Town has such a rich and unique history, social and cultural assets; however, these valuable community assets have been often untapped or unnoticed,” remarked Lowell City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr. “By designating Cambodia Town as the newest TDI district, it would unleash these tremendous assets to promote local and regional economic development, improve the well-being of the community, as well as promoting these unique cultural assets not only citywide but at the regional and state levels as well.”
