The Wannalancit Street Neighborhood District was created on July 12, 2005 by the Lowell City Council as part of eight new neighborhood districts under the jurisdiction of the Lowell Historic Board (LHB). The creation of the districts was initiated by citizen petition as provided for by statute and was in response to demolition of historic structures and construction of structures inconsistent with neighborhood character.  The district follows the boundaries of the previously established National Register of Historic Places district for Wannalancit Street.

Only demolition proposals and new construction (both resulting from demolition and previously existing vacant land) within the districts will be reviewed by the LHB. By state law, no City department, board, commission, or other entity can issue any approval until the LHB has first issued its approval.  Assisting the Board is a five member neighborhood committee comprised of three Board members, a district property owner, and district resident.