Press Release - Renovation of UMass Lowell’s Perry Hall

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Department
Office of Governor Deval L. Patrick
Press Release
Contact: Heather Johnson, Bonnie McGilpin, Juli Hanscom – 617-725-4025

GOVERNOR PATRICK ANNOUNCES INFRASTRUCTURE, EDUCATION INVESTMENTS THAT WILL CREATE GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY IN MERRIMACK VALLEY
Renovation of UMass Lowell’s Perry Hall

HAVERHILL – Thursday, November 21, 2013 – Governor Deval Patrick today announced a $20 million investment to modernize University of Massachusetts Lowell’s (UMass Lowell) Perry Hall, which houses the school’s engineering program.

“Growth requires investment, and these investments in education and infrastructure will bring growth and opportunity to the Merrimack Valley and beyond,” said Governor Patrick. “If we want to expand opportunity in our Commonwealth, this is what government must do and do well.”

The Perry Hall project will upgrade existing laboratories and classrooms, as well as add new research and academic facilities by re-optimizing space that was previously used for other purposes, such as offices that have been relocated as other campus buildings have opened and been remodeled. Environmental and other controls in labs and other research space will also be upgraded. The renovations to Perry Hall will benefit the growing body of students and faculty in UMass Lowell’s Francis College of Engineering, including those in the departments of Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

The Perry Hall renovations are the first step in a larger project that includes upgrades to several of UMass Lowell’s science and engineering buildings designed to ensure that the university continues to offer the most modern facilities for academics and research.  Perry Hall was constructed in 1952 and is today used for research and education in fields including several engineering disciplines and biomanufacturing. Known simply as the “Engineering Building” for six decades, it was renamed in 2012 for UMass Lowell alumnus Barry Perry, a generous supporter of the university, its students and capital projects.

“On behalf of the university, I would like to thank Governor Patrick, the Legislature and the Lowell delegation for their support for this important project,” said UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan. “Perry Hall has been one of UMass Lowell’s core science and engineering facilities for more than 60 years. With these upgrades, it will remain a place where students, faculty and industry come together for cutting-edge research and education for decades to come.”

Thursday’s announcement is part of a series of events the Governor is holding throughout the Fall to demonstrate the types of investments his Administration is making in every region of the Commonwealth to expand growth and opportunity to all of our residents.

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