lunardinosaur
New member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2022
- Messages
- 74
- Reaction score
- 241
Thats too bad, I really liked the design of this one... Hopefully something good will take it's place.
Maine Public Broadcasting Bldg. | 25 Commercial St. | Portland
- Thread starter Cosakita18
- Start date
Looks like they've updated their presentation video to reflect this - https://www.mainepublic.org/a-new-home-for-maine-public-the-need
Last edited:
On the one hand I'm disappointed that the 25 Commercial St building isn't happening, on the other hand I don't hate this reuse of the Public Market building, on the third hand I still like the Public Market as a Public Market best and any other use of that space will be a little disappointing.
While it isn't the most inspiring stretch of street right now, remember the Bayside MDP calls for modifying some of the ground floor of the parking garage into retail and/or incubator space.
While it isn't the most inspiring stretch of street right now, remember the Bayside MDP calls for modifying some of the ground floor of the parking garage into retail and/or incubator space.
TC_zoid
Senior Member
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2014
- Messages
- 1,233
- Reaction score
- 1,886
The original public market building did not work because it was kind of hidden behind the Fidelity Trust building, adjoining a part of town we would all avoid (and still do). It was also a different decade (1998), one in which for the residents of the city it was more about the Old Port or Commercial Street for experiencing food and drink. It was somewhat of an architectural masterpiece, ideally designed as a public food and gathering space with high ceilings featuring beautiful wood beams bathed in natural light. And the centered majestic granite fireplace rising up into that light created a feeling for an almighty food worship. If Jesus were around, maybe he would have a roll here. From the outside at night, the inside of the market as seen through its full skin of windows drew one in with its warm and inviting glow.
Today, for its planned conversion from a layout designed for Cash Star, a marketing firm of which added a second level floor dotted with cubicles, a media center and production space idea will need opened up spaces and substantial new wiring configurations. A large warehouse space would have been the better choice for this kind of use. I think they were focused on wanting something relatively new and grand and centrally located (and the connected garage with a skywalk was a plus for the winter months). Building at least two big production sets/stages with easy access for changing configurations requires a substantial dock and access. The limited in/out access for larger trucks and the narrow "L" shape of the building is not conducive to a production space. Additionally, hanging anything from above (heavy lights, etc.) will require new framework and so the beautiful wood beams bathed in sunlight will need to be an after-thought. But it will be a fun place for them to sit and do their webcasts.
C+
Today, for its planned conversion from a layout designed for Cash Star, a marketing firm of which added a second level floor dotted with cubicles, a media center and production space idea will need opened up spaces and substantial new wiring configurations. A large warehouse space would have been the better choice for this kind of use. I think they were focused on wanting something relatively new and grand and centrally located (and the connected garage with a skywalk was a plus for the winter months). Building at least two big production sets/stages with easy access for changing configurations requires a substantial dock and access. The limited in/out access for larger trucks and the narrow "L" shape of the building is not conducive to a production space. Additionally, hanging anything from above (heavy lights, etc.) will require new framework and so the beautiful wood beams bathed in sunlight will need to be an after-thought. But it will be a fun place for them to sit and do their webcasts.
C+
Last edited:
markhb
Senior Member
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2013
- Messages
- 1,391
- Reaction score
- 1,175
We could probably have an entire thread talking about the original Public Market and what went wrong. I think part of it was that it was priced and marketed for the folks working downtown and commuting in from Deering and the suburbs, but they didn't make the trek down the hill to buy groceries for dinner before heading home.
But I still remember the first time I entered via the bridge from the parking garage, and how explosive the color was on the A.J. Kennedy produce stand.
Can't MPB expand the WCBB studio building in Lewiston? It's not like they're producing a nightly newscast that needs to be proximate to downtown. Or, how much might it cost to buy the former Channel 8 studio in Auburn, which wasn't that old when they bought Channel 51 and moved to their place in Westbrook.
But I still remember the first time I entered via the bridge from the parking garage, and how explosive the color was on the A.J. Kennedy produce stand.
Can't MPB expand the WCBB studio building in Lewiston? It's not like they're producing a nightly newscast that needs to be proximate to downtown. Or, how much might it cost to buy the former Channel 8 studio in Auburn, which wasn't that old when they bought Channel 51 and moved to their place in Westbrook.
Maine Public's CEO was on Maine Calling this morning to discuss their purchase of the former Public Market building and their intention to move their Portland facilities into that building by the end of 2025. I think he said that the buildout of the new studios has already begun. Slab will stay at their end of the market.
He talked briefly about the failed Commercial Street proposal and basically said that after they purchased the property and put plans together for a 5-story building construction costs increased so much that it became unrealistic to pursue it.
While it would have been nice to see this building fill in a parking lot on Commercial Street, I'm also happy to see that the public market is going to be reactivated in this way. This will be their radio broadcast studios, so hopefully it will be busy -- lots of people coming and going. If 465 Congress and the Time & Temp complex are ultimately reactivated then Monument Square should have a new lease on life!
He talked briefly about the failed Commercial Street proposal and basically said that after they purchased the property and put plans together for a 5-story building construction costs increased so much that it became unrealistic to pursue it.
While it would have been nice to see this building fill in a parking lot on Commercial Street, I'm also happy to see that the public market is going to be reactivated in this way. This will be their radio broadcast studios, so hopefully it will be busy -- lots of people coming and going. If 465 Congress and the Time & Temp complex are ultimately reactivated then Monument Square should have a new lease on life!
markhb
Senior Member
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2013
- Messages
- 1,391
- Reaction score
- 1,175
The Press Herald story: https://www.pressherald.com/2024/08...tudio-build-event-space-at-old-public-market/
I pulled together a quick timeline from the Portland Assessor database:
10/25/2019: Auto Europe sells the Galt Block (listed by the city as 29 Commercial; AE always used 39 Commercial as the mailing address) and the adjoining parking lot (25 Commercial per the database) to something called Essex North for a combined $10.5 million (10m for the building , 500k for the parking lot)
9/23/2021: Essex North sells both properties to Maine Public for a combined $10.76 million (7.8 for the building, just under 3 for the parking, I'm rounding here).
12/22/2021: MPBN sells the Galt Block to Olympia (or, more specifically, a new Olympia REIT) for an even 7 million, which means they effectively spent 3.76 million for the parking lot.
Note on the sale by Auto Europe: I think we talked about it at the time, but Mainebiz covered it here. EssexNorth was/is apparently owned by the developer who built two of the properties on the former Grand Trunk station site: the AC Hotel and 20 Thames. They had plans for a software company called Certify to lease the Galt Block with a move-in at the end of 2020, but I've never seen any sign that that happened and I'm guessing Covid blew it up. So the building still stands empty and, if one is to believe the comments at the PPH, the sheltered entryway alcove is essentially the Portland Public Illegal Drug Market.
I pulled together a quick timeline from the Portland Assessor database:
10/25/2019: Auto Europe sells the Galt Block (listed by the city as 29 Commercial; AE always used 39 Commercial as the mailing address) and the adjoining parking lot (25 Commercial per the database) to something called Essex North for a combined $10.5 million (10m for the building , 500k for the parking lot)
9/23/2021: Essex North sells both properties to Maine Public for a combined $10.76 million (7.8 for the building, just under 3 for the parking, I'm rounding here).
12/22/2021: MPBN sells the Galt Block to Olympia (or, more specifically, a new Olympia REIT) for an even 7 million, which means they effectively spent 3.76 million for the parking lot.
Note on the sale by Auto Europe: I think we talked about it at the time, but Mainebiz covered it here. EssexNorth was/is apparently owned by the developer who built two of the properties on the former Grand Trunk station site: the AC Hotel and 20 Thames. They had plans for a software company called Certify to lease the Galt Block with a move-in at the end of 2020, but I've never seen any sign that that happened and I'm guessing Covid blew it up. So the building still stands empty and, if one is to believe the comments at the PPH, the sheltered entryway alcove is essentially the Portland Public Illegal Drug Market.