Cassidy Point

Dr. StrangeHat said:
Oooooo, interesting....

If we're taking bets, I'm thinking mixed-use development including residential, retail, a marina, a water-taxi service terminal, and a new soccer stadium. :)
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Good Morning Everyone!!! I just want to say I love this group and its passion for our built environment! You all create a very cool history of Portland in these threads! Photos, historic facts, documenting progress in real time! This will be an interesting one over the course of the next few years!!! ~ C
 
Lots of renderings in the Press Herald story. Looks like the plan would replace the entire Sprague site – the coal pile, salt piles, and the scrap metal shed – but leave intact the pier and warehouse on the very tip of the point, and repurpose the existing warehouse closest to Cianbro as an indoor sports facility.

Also looks like there's a separate 3-story building that's separate from the stadium planned for the north side of Cassidy Point road, where the coal pile is today:

It would be cool if the Hearts could work out a deal with Casco Bay Lines for special game day ferry shuttles between downtown and Cassidy Point...

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If Sprague is no longer in the mix, I wonder what purpose the 600' pier (can accommodate an 800' vessel) would serve in the future?
 
Great news though I think an 11,000 capacity should be increased for more revenue. In the summer in Bangor they fill up their riverfront venue with 16,000 for concerts.
 
Redfern said:
Industrial capacity retained just at different site owned by Sprague and working waterfront aspect retained. Just different marine use. ~C
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So, now that the cat's out of the bag, what can you tell us? Where is the bulk cargo operation moving to? If you or the Hearts have a site up, feel free to leave a pointer!
 
Questions-
Parking?
Could Amtrak provide a stop or build a station?
Intercoastal Ferry?
Zoning is the big issue?
How to calm the nerves of the kings and queens of the hill(Western Prom)
Why is Sprague Moving? Does the State have a say in this?
 
TC_zoid said:
Great news though I think an 11,000 capacity should be increased for more revenue. In the summer in Bangor they fill up their riverfront venue with 16,000 for concerts.
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If the ownership group decides to venture into the concert business, this facility is planned for 11,000 permanent seats where the Maine Savings Amphitheater only has 6,400 permanent seats. With "floor seating" on a soccer field the Cassidy Point venue could easily exceed 16,000 concert goers and remove the need to drive 2 hours north to see top tier acts. This venue would have a limited effect on Bangor's business due to the distance and it would not compete with the smaller 4000-6000 capacity concerts at Thompson's Point as long as shows are not scheduled for the same dates. This project has the potential to be the largest concert venue north of Boston. Have not read the PPH article so I'm not even sure if concerts are a future possibility?
 
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To me, this seems like a fantastic location for this project. Waterfront, right at a major entry/gateway to the city, close enough to the city center without taking up urban land that would be better suited for housing/mixed-use, etc.

I wonder if it makes anyone feel better about the proposed Amtrak station location? And, between the stadium and Amtrak, I wonder if it would enough to run some sort enhanced bus/shuttle along Commercial St.?
 
PWMFlyer said:
Questions-
Parking?
Could Amtrak provide a stop or build a station?
Intercoastal Ferry?
Zoning is the big issue?
How to calm the nerves of the kings and queens of the hill(Western Prom)
Why is Sprague Moving? Does the State have a say in this?
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To your last question, Sprague is likely going to simply not use that facility anymore and they can use Searsport for pretty much any of the same bulk cargos. The terminal was mostly being used for coal, headed to SD Warren and Rumford mills, which is in the process of winding down. I'm assuming Sprague will be able to handle other inbound cargos on the other side of the river with their main terminal. Pretty much everything but coal was stored over on the Sopo side anyway. I don't think the state should be involved, Sprague owns the facility at Merrill terminal outright. I'm wondering if leaving the docks allows for an easier conversion?
 
Love the renderings and unique location.
Would love to see a canopy with “Hearts of Pine” covering a good portion of the seats for planes flying in and out + cars on Vets Memorial Bridge. This is a major feature for most new soccer stadiums right now which may be overlooked here. I know this adds to project cost big time BUT there are many pros…
Not only would this be an esthetic enhancement but also an acoustic win with keeping the electric atmosphere bouncing off the turf instead of escaping to travel up into the West End. Not to mention, this also protects fans from the northeast elements of rain, snow, thunder storms, etc which will keep the stadium full and rocking all game! Certainly something to consider in the early stages of this gem!
 
Dr. StrangeHat said:
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That's fine but concerts and other events are in their revenue plan. They simply aren't talking about it now. They have to be to justify the spend. How many stadium use-dates ($) is that with soccer (men's) only? And the problem with lower capacities is the supply and demand ticket issue/cost. Imagine if Fenway never had the outfield bleachers? That's almost 10,000 extra seats to bring the ticket prices down. But yes, with 11,000 seats this place will rock--for sure.
 
TC_zoid said:
That's fine but concerts and other events are in their revenue plan. They simply aren't talking about it now. They have to be to justify the spend. How many stadium use-dates ($) is that with soccer (men's) only? And the problem with lower capacities is the supply and demand ticket issue/cost. Imagine if Fenway never had the outfield bleachers? That's almost 10,000 extra seats to bring the ticket prices down. But yes, with 11,000 seats this place will rock--for sure.
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There are a lot of smart people involved with the Hearts of Pine. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt here that they know what they're doing given how successful they've been so far. And based on the renderings provided so far, it appears to be an easily expandable stadium, with no roof structure that could impede further expansion.

Keep in mind that even though you loose one end of seating with a stage, you gain 5,000-8,000 more in attendance with the field alone. So, if you lose 2,000 seats on the end but gain 5,000-8,000 on the field, that's a net 14,000-17,000 for concerts.
 
One other thing to consider - this site is directly tied to Rock Row via rail. I know the developers of Rock Row have been vocal about their desire to tie Rock Row to Portland via light rail. Rock Row gives you ample parking for those coming from the west to the game, with the ability to eat and drink at Rock Row and then head to the game without dealing with traffic or parking.

If they added a bike path along the rail corridor, you would 100% get people taking their bikes to games. I know my family would do that coming from Westbrook, rather than dealing with traffic and parking or navigating our bikes along busy streets. Heck, if that even started in Windham along the mountain division rail trail, it'd pass within 1/4 mile of our house.
 
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