Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73

§410cc–34 Acquisition and disposition of property

Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 1— - NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER LIX–A— - LOWELL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK › Part Part C— - Powers and Duties of Preservation Commission › § 410cc–34

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Commission may get certain properties by donation, by buying them with donated or appropriated money, or by legal taking (condemnation). It can only use condemnation for land inside the park or for the two named buildings: World Furniture Building, 125 Central Street, and The Martin Building, 102–122 Central Street. The Commission must try to buy by negotiation first and must consult the Lowell city council. No condemnation can happen without the Secretary’s approval. With the Secretary’s approval, the Commission may sell or lease any property it acquires and attach deed limits or conditions. The Commission may also, under a written agreement with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and with the Secretary’s approval, sell, donate, lease, or otherwise provide such property to the Commonwealth so the state can administer or maintain it consistent with the subchapter’s purpose.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §410cc–34

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)The Commission may acquire any property designated in paragraph (3) of this subsection, any property described in section 410cc–32(d)(1) of this title, or any interest therein, by donation, by purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or by condemnation in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection.

(2)Only properties within the park or property designated in paragraph (3) of this subsection may be acquired by the Commission by condemnation. The Commission may initiate condemnation proceedings only after making every reasonable effort to acquire any such property through negotiations and purchase and consulting with the city council of Lowell. No lands or interests therein may be acquired by the Commission by condemnation without the approval of the Secretary.

(3)The Commission may acquire in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection the following properties, or any interest therein:

(A)World Furniture Building, 125 Central Street; and

(B)The Martin Building, 102–122 Central Street.

(b)The Commission, with the approval of the Secretary, may sell or lease any property which it acquires under subsection (a) of this section subject to such deed restrictions or other conditions as the Commission deems appropriate to carry out the purpose of this subchapter.

(c)Pursuant to a written agreement between the Commission and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Commission, with the approval of the Secretary, may sell, donate, lease, or in any other manner the Commission and the Secretary deem appropriate make available to the Commonwealth any property which the Commission has acquired under subsection (a) of this section in order to provide for the administration or maintenance of such property by the Commonwealth in a manner consistent with the purpose of this subchapter.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 410cc–34

Title 16 — Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73