The Next Century

[...] in 1978, the two of us worked closely with Sen. Paul Tsongas to pass legislation establishing the complex relationship of city, state, local, and private interests that has driven Lowell's success. Innovative tax credits developed in concert with the Park Service spurred private developers to convert historic mills into offices and residences, breathing new life into the city. In each case, the Park Service operates in a complex environment -doing what the agency does best, but in ways that support and complement the needs of living communities and acting as convener, catalyst, and storyteller to help create places where past and future frame the present.\n As he said, Americans cannot fully understand the battle without visiting the park - "an idea expressed in place."