Downtown Parking Garage Opens as Council Eyes FY27 Budget

The Downtown Public Parking Garage has officially opened, a milestone for the city's ongoing downtown revitalization efforts, while City Council prepares to take up the FY 2027 Mayor's Budget this week.

TOWN HALL

Mayor Dean Mazzarella's administration announced that the Downtown Public Parking Garage is now open, a project city officials have highlighted as key to supporting downtown business and event traffic. The city has also posted the FY 2027 Mayor's Budget for public review ahead of City Council deliberations.

Separately, the city continues to provide updates on the Monoosnoc Brook Stabilization Project, with officials posting new information on its various components. City Hall also published FAQs addressing questions about home-based businesses, offering residents guidance on the parameters allowed under current rules.

The City Council agenda, Ways and Means Subcommittee meeting, and two continued public hearings (P 62-26 and P 69-26) are all scheduled for Monday, July 13, at City Hall.

SCHOOLS

Leominster Public Schools has posted updated summer busing schedules for Johnny Appleseed Elementary and Leominster High School, both revised as of July 10. Families relying on summer transportation should check the district website for the latest routes. The Bennett Preschool waitlist for tuition-based peer slots for the 2026-2027 school year remains open for Leominster residents whose children will be age 3 by August 31, 2026; families can call 978-534-7704 for details.

COMMUNITY & ARTS

The Leominster Public Library has a full slate of programming this week. Adult events include Chess Club on Monday, July 13, an English Conversation Class on Tuesday, July 14, a Drop-in Game Afternoon for Adults on Wednesday, July 15, and Book Bedazzling! on Thursday, July 16, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Family and youth programming includes a Family Movie Night screening of "GOAT!" on Monday, July 13, from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m., alongside a Cupcake Decorating Technique Workshop with Simply Sweet by Christine and a Bead Therapy Workshop with ZMakesBeads, both also on July 13. Teens have their own Tournament Tuesday on July 14 and a Teen Writers Club meeting on July 15.

The city's event calendar also lists several downtown gatherings in the coming weeks, including Downtown Sounds concerts and the Sholan Farms Cruising and Crops Festival, part of the broader push to activate the newly reopened downtown garage area.

COMING UP

Chess Club meets at the library Monday, July 13, at 7 p.m. The City Council agenda, Ways and Means Subcommittee meeting, and continued public hearings on P 62-26 and P 69-26 are all set for Monday, July 13, at City Hall. The Fall Brook Building Committee holds its 45th meeting on Tuesday, July 14. The library's Family Movie Night, cupcake and bead workshops also fall on July 13, with Teen Tournament Tuesday and English Conversation Class on July 14. A Semi-Final Soccer Watch Party is scheduled downtown for Wednesday, July 15, followed by Downtown Sounds concerts on Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18, and a Final Soccer Watch Party on Sunday, July 19. Bohemian Night at Carter Park (Noche Bohemia) is set for Saturday, July 18.