Community-wide project launched to light up Lawrence

May 21, 2019 : The Boston Globe, by John Laidler

The Lawrence Redevelopment Authority is joining with MassDevelopment and Groundwork Lawrence on a fund-raising drive to support Iluminación Lawrence, a project aimed at improving public safety and creating artistic vibrancy throughout the city.

The drive is being carried out through the civic crowdfunding platform Patronicity. If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $30,000 by June 7 at midnight, the project will receive a matching $30,000 grant from MassDevelopment through its Commonwealth Places program.

The funds would be used to project signs, photos, and videos on the south wall of the Everett Mills in Warehouse Square; and to add color-changing LED lights and project community artwork onto the column entrances of the Lawrence Public Library.

Architectural floodlights also would be installed at the library, providing visibility to a new mural on the building’s south wall. Once finished, the Everett Mills and library installations would complement lighting currently being installed at Ayer Mill Clock Tower and Casey Bridge, the initial two Iluminación Lawrence project locations.

"Lawrence is a vibrant, diverse, and historically and culturally rich community with a lot to offer,” Vilma Martínez-Dominguez, Lawrence’s community development director, said in a statement. “This new Iluminación Lawrence initiative...will serve to further heighten that sense of pride and community commonly shared among residents."