LOWELL — Middlesex Community College will receive $11 million in capital funding from the state to turn the former Boston and Maine Railroad Depot into a new academic arts center.
The $14.5 million project includes the historic preservation and renovation of the 19th Century Boston and Maine Railroad Depot building at 240 Central St. The Victorian Gothic-style building, the former home of the Rialto Theatre, will receive a full renovation at the hands of architects Leers Weinzapfel Associates, working along with the Lowell National Historic Park Service and Massachusetts Historic Commission.
There’s “historically protected” and then there’s “historically abandoned.” It seems that this city only cares about the former, as we again have to stand by and helplessly watch another great abandoned property fall into the hands of someone who only cares about using it. Not since that old, Bridge Street Shell Station morphed into a Dunkin Credit Union have we seen such an obvious and blatant assault on neighborhood esthetics, and this probably won’t be the last until someone with a little cache sits down and asks, “How many more Hallisey’s have to become Hannafords?”
Sons of Franky Cabot 
So you’re against turning over abandoned property? I don’t get it, are you homeless? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. This is a fantastic thing for the city.
Are you retarded Murph?
Shit, I’m sorry. I just read more of the site, and obviously didn’t get it. I’ll go run a lap. Great blog.
No worries Uncle Murph, your zeal this morning is an inspiration to us all.
Exactly Tobes. Don’t be so hard on yourself Uncle Murph. Besides you apologized and didn’t double down on it so we’re all good.