Proposed downtown project would transform parking lot into grocery store and garage

The Lawrence City Commission is considering a proposal that would construct a mixed-use building on the parking lot at Eighth & Vermont Streets.

Kameron Macrorie | @kameronmacrorietv

A mockup of the proposal, as seen in the Oct. 8 Lawrence City Commission Meeting.

Rise Up Group LLC, a local conglomeration of business owners and real estate holders, will be developing the property, and submitted the initial plan to the city commission.

The Lawrence City Commission voted unanimously to move forward with project discussions at their meeting on Oct. 8, 2024.

Located downtown, the parking lot sits behind a number of prominent Massachusetts Street businesses that would be impacted by the construction.

Among these is Raven Book Store, a locally owned and operated business. Chris Luxem, co-owner and manager of Raven Book Store said that he thinks the project is a promising addition to downtown Lawrence.

“I definitely appreciate the idea of a downtown grocery store and if it is doubling the parking that’s great too,” Luxem said. “Even more housing would be good, especially if it’s affordable for folks and stuff.”

According to Lawrence City Commission’s Oct. 8 meeting agenda, the building’s housing would comprise 20% affordable apartments, 30% market rate apartments, and 50% market rate condos.

Luxem said that he thinks affordable housing and the convenience of a downtown grocery store are clear benefits of the project, but said he has concerns about the construction process.

“I definitely have a lot of questions. I’m still kind of on the fence in terms of the positives and negatives of it all,” Luxem said. “Construction projects don’t seem to necessarily be as accurate as they plan to be, and then also the whole city’s under construction right now, every thoroughfare and every street.”

Luxem said that due to bad experiences living near construction projects in the past, he is wary of having one in his business’ own backyard.

“You know, just from my own experience of living near construction zones, whether here or in bigger cities, there’s just not a lot of care for the surrounding area while it’s being done. They will, you know, fix it after it’s built essentially.” Luxem said.

To consider community voices like this, Rise Up LLC plans to hold public meetings ahead of construction to discuss project details with nearby property owners and neighbors. If the city chooses to move forward with the proposed project, it is expected to take two years to complete and cost $58,000,000.