"There are successful mill developments in the south and northof Lawrence," Eduardo Lozano tells GlobeSt.com. It is his company,Lozano Baskin and Associates that developed the master plan for thecity.

"We know that several developers are complaining about the lackof mill space - which are wonderful spaces for high-techcompanies--in the Merrimack Valley. Lawrence has plenty of spaceand plenty of mills and it has direct access to route 495," hecontinues. Lozano has also proposed developing support for thesehigh-tech firms by suggesting that the city establish a technicaltraining center to ensure a labor pool for these companies.

Currently, the average cost per sf of office space in Boston is$60 while in Lawrence the average cost is $8 per sf. Lozano, whosays he regrets not recognizing the development potential of QuincyMarket and Fanueil Hall before they were developed, believes thatthere are real possibilities for companies here. "This is a greatopportunity to get in to a market when the price is right."