Council approves placing Campbell Drive sidewalk request on paving list after heated neighborhood debate

The Lowell City Council voted to place a request to install sidewalks on the odd‑numbered side of Campbell Drive on the city’s paving list and asked the city manager to prioritize the project for the 2026–27 budget after extended public comment and council debate about student safety.

Why it matters: Parents and residents emphasized safety for more than 600 students who attend Bailey and Daley schools and said current conditions force children to walk in traffic or cross mid‑block. Several speakers offered petitions and photos showing daily conditions; supporters said sidewalks are a necessary Safe Routes to School measure.

Public testimony: Kathy Dillon, a resident at 657 Stephen Street, submitted a petition of over 100 parent signatures and told council that prior engineering work indicated only minimal widening of the existing 28‑foot pavement would be necessary and that no property takings were required in the preliminary design. Other residents pushed back. Lisa Golden, a homeowner on Campbell Drive, said a retaining wall at her property would be affected and that earlier communications gave her conflicting information about property takings and schedule.

City response and council debate: Assistant city staff and the manager said engineers have begun surveying and that temporary sidewalks had been considered as a pilot. Council members repeatedly framed the motion as a child‑safety issue: Councilor DeCoteau and Councilor Dakota urged urgency, saying the city has studied the issue for more than a year and that work should move forward. The manager said the city would explore options including temporary measures, improved traffic flow behind the schools, and the possibility of district‑level signs or sandwich boards to improve outreach while funding is identified.

Outcome and follow‑up: The motion to include Campbell Drive sidewalks in the paving list and to prioritize them in the 2026–27 budget passed. Council also agreed that city engineers should continue community outreach to neighbors and that staff would report on property‑taking impacts, snow‑removal responsibilities for sidewalks, and timing so homeowners like Lisa Golden can plan for potential construction impacts.

Ending: Councilors signaled a willingness to pursue short‑term mitigation while the longer design and budget work continues; neighbors will expect more detailed engineering and cost information before construction begins.