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Patrick
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I was just thinking corey has to have a couple more pics of this thing
Where is the entrance gonna be cnogress or branhall or what
Where is the entrance gonna be cnogress or branhall or what
grittys457
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Why don't I know what that last picture is from? Is this something that's going to be part of MMC or something else?
Here is the developer's website for this project, Crescent Heights, which will be rental housing for medical students. It looks like the main entrance will be on Crescent Street but perhaps it will have a patch down to Congress Street by walking over to the garage entrance. The picture above is from the new parking garage and I posted a picture on page 56 of this thread showing the building from Congress Street.
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Patrick
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yeah it looks in the rendering like there is going to be a staircase down to congress, which would make sense, but I just can't see it developing that way when I drive by the site
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Patrick
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I believe that is Florence House, the controversial female equivalent to Logan Place, both of which are subsidized homes for the chronically homeless.
Yes, that's what it is. I remember when it first broke ground, and I inquired as to what it was. It's moved quickly.
Is there anything going on at the Jordan Meats factory on Middle Street?
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Patrick
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The last I heard, nothing is going on at the Jordan's Meat's site, but a couple of developers from out of state are "interested" in it. Well, I'm not sure what that means--I'm interested in it too. That's a broad and vague term. I don't think there are actually any plans for it at the moment, I think the papers just said someone was interested in it so people think its not just sitting there, which in fact it is.
also, the plans for the office building next to the new parking garage in the eastern waterfront new port neighborhood look like they have been abandoned. (there used to be plans for a neat looking curved building in that open grassy lot to the west of the structure, very small but neat).
The Bayhouse, on the other hand, has until this July to start building or it will have to reapply for permits. Last I heard (this week) they had just applied to the planning board for a height extension of five feet (I know, not a skyscraper) because they are seeking to add another floor of strucutred parking (underground) to make the project more financially viable.
That bayside trail should be brick like monument square plaza. But oh well. tar is fine I guess. I just hope the public art portion looks good. and I hope it draws new and renewed interest to developing that area. I think that warehouse next door is gross and should be replaced by something else. and no more parking lots, please. (DHHS, Whole Foods, Planet Fitness, etc.)
also, the planning board is considering adding a WCZ waterfront commercial zone to allow more mixed uses down by the piers.
also, the plans for the office building next to the new parking garage in the eastern waterfront new port neighborhood look like they have been abandoned. (there used to be plans for a neat looking curved building in that open grassy lot to the west of the structure, very small but neat).
The Bayhouse, on the other hand, has until this July to start building or it will have to reapply for permits. Last I heard (this week) they had just applied to the planning board for a height extension of five feet (I know, not a skyscraper) because they are seeking to add another floor of strucutred parking (underground) to make the project more financially viable.
That bayside trail should be brick like monument square plaza. But oh well. tar is fine I guess. I just hope the public art portion looks good. and I hope it draws new and renewed interest to developing that area. I think that warehouse next door is gross and should be replaced by something else. and no more parking lots, please. (DHHS, Whole Foods, Planet Fitness, etc.)
also, the planning board is considering adding a WCZ waterfront commercial zone to allow more mixed uses down by the piers.
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Patrick
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Thanks for posting Corey. I wonder why they didn't start this earlier before the snow started to fall. It would have been nice to have this in the summer months. I really get excited looking at the Bayside neighborhood. Its so much cooler than infill. You get to see a whole urban neighborhood, bigger than most downtowns of small towns in new england, built right before your eyes. Its wicked neat. I think this trail is going to be a huge boost to the neighborhood. I never used to take much interest in trails etc., but I am starting to really see how they bring neighborhoods together, which is just as important if not more so than the skyline. The trees, art, waterfountain and plazas should make this a great addition. also, i think the trail is planned to extend through the sites horizontally as well, to reach that long street paralleling the warehouse. could be wrong but I thought I remembered seeing that somewhere. can't wait til the buildings fill in around this.
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Patrick
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PORTLAND, Maine -- A host of development projects in Portland appear to have taken on a holding pattern until the economy turns around.
Click To Comment
Video: Local Development Projects Still On Hold
Stop and Shop executives announced earlier this week the closure of the Kennebunk store at the end of the month, putting 140 people out of work. Also, News 8 first reported that the grocery store chain is scrapping plans to build a store at Morrils Corner in Portland.
When the economy tanked, banks tightened up, leaving developers in limbo. A condo project on the East End was supposed to get under way last fall, but they're still waiting.
For local developer Peter Bass, that means he's unsure when he'll be able to turn his parking lot at the corner of High and Danforth streets into the condominium complex he has planned for years.
"Right now, we are in the financing twilight zone. Everything that you've heard about the banks being tight with their money is true," Bass said. "Now, I'm really in a no-man's land and I'm not quite sure when I can begin. I had really high hopes that this spring would be a good starting time."
Spring had come and gone, and so have other developers who scrapped their grandiose plans to turn the old Jordan's Meat Factory into a $110 million Westin Hotel replete with 97 high-end condos. The property has since returned to the market.
Despite several projects pulling out, plenty of development continues in the city. Officials said they have $500 million worth of projects in the pipeline.
"That's a significant amount of investment that is positioning the city very well for the future in terms of future economic growth," said Greg Mitchell, Portland's economic development director.
One example at Town and Shore Real Estate includes another proposed condo project. An off-site model unit for the Bay House project has granite counters and stainless steel appliances.
"We know the interest is there, and we feel confident the developer will take the plunge as soon as it is viable," said Sandy Johnson, a real estate broker.
Johnson said a quarter of the 82 units were already under contract, saying the market is there for buyers -- mostly people who want to downsize.
"Many of them have cash. They're selling a home that they've lived in for many years. Quite a few of the folks don't need financing at all," Johnson said.
Even though the developer of the Bay House project hasn't broken ground yet off India Street, the back hoe is ready to go soon.
http://www.wmtw.com/video/21232394/index.html
Click To Comment
Video: Local Development Projects Still On Hold
Stop and Shop executives announced earlier this week the closure of the Kennebunk store at the end of the month, putting 140 people out of work. Also, News 8 first reported that the grocery store chain is scrapping plans to build a store at Morrils Corner in Portland.
When the economy tanked, banks tightened up, leaving developers in limbo. A condo project on the East End was supposed to get under way last fall, but they're still waiting.
For local developer Peter Bass, that means he's unsure when he'll be able to turn his parking lot at the corner of High and Danforth streets into the condominium complex he has planned for years.
"Right now, we are in the financing twilight zone. Everything that you've heard about the banks being tight with their money is true," Bass said. "Now, I'm really in a no-man's land and I'm not quite sure when I can begin. I had really high hopes that this spring would be a good starting time."
Spring had come and gone, and so have other developers who scrapped their grandiose plans to turn the old Jordan's Meat Factory into a $110 million Westin Hotel replete with 97 high-end condos. The property has since returned to the market.
Despite several projects pulling out, plenty of development continues in the city. Officials said they have $500 million worth of projects in the pipeline.
"That's a significant amount of investment that is positioning the city very well for the future in terms of future economic growth," said Greg Mitchell, Portland's economic development director.
One example at Town and Shore Real Estate includes another proposed condo project. An off-site model unit for the Bay House project has granite counters and stainless steel appliances.
"We know the interest is there, and we feel confident the developer will take the plunge as soon as it is viable," said Sandy Johnson, a real estate broker.
Johnson said a quarter of the 82 units were already under contract, saying the market is there for buyers -- mostly people who want to downsize.
"Many of them have cash. They're selling a home that they've lived in for many years. Quite a few of the folks don't need financing at all," Johnson said.
Even though the developer of the Bay House project hasn't broken ground yet off India Street, the back hoe is ready to go soon.
http://www.wmtw.com/video/21232394/index.html
Not to worry, Portlands hardly the only city with this trouble right now. There was a nearly identical article posted in the Providence forum a few days ago. When the economy turns around, you'll see this trend change.
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Patrick
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here are some pictures of the Bayside trail under construction. For those who don't know and who may be interested it is going to link the Baxter Boulevard to Deering Oaks and should help spruce up a fringe area of downtown as it runs directly through formerly industrial brownfields sites, some of which are being marketed for intensive development (for which plans have fallen through twice now due to the recession).
In this last picture, the plan is to have a public art sculpture eventually dominate the middle section of the triangular path, which I think is also supposed to incorporate a water feature or splash fountain for kids etc.
In this last picture, the plan is to have a public art sculpture eventually dominate the middle section of the triangular path, which I think is also supposed to incorporate a water feature or splash fountain for kids etc.
grittys457
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Just drove by Jordan's and there is a sign "Under contract" up. Hmmmmm???????
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Patrick
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PORTLAND ? Bright orange "under contract" signs went up on the former Jordan's Meats factory last week.
The property, which takes up almost a block between Franklin Arterial and India, Middle and Fore streets, has been vacant since the plant closed in February 2005, despite attempts by the current owner to develop it into a luxury hotel and later an extended-stay hotel and office complex.
Broker Greg Boulos, of CBRE/The Boulos Co., confirmed this week that the property is under contract but would not say to whom or what the redevelopment plans are.
"I can't really say too much because it hasn't been closed on," Boulos said.
The 1.75-acre property has been on the market since 2007. The listing price was $4.75 million.
The Procaccianti Group of Cranston, R.I., owns the property. Procaccianti in December 2005 received permission from the city to redevelop the property in to a high-end Westin Hotel with luxury condominiums. A year later no work had been done and the developer applied for a year extension to its contract zone. Shortly after, the property was put on the market.
In 2007, Procaccianti approached the city with a new plan for an extended-stay hotel and office building, but never got to the planning stage. The property is now leased for parking.
Procaccianti was one of many developers that set their sights on the Eastern Waterfront a few years ago. The Riverwalk development and the Bay House condominium project also received approval from the city. Riverwalk built the Ocean Gateway parking garage, but condominiums and retail space were never built and the project is the subject of a lawsuit between members of the development group.
Bay House, which is supposed to be built at the former Village Cafe site, is still being actively marketed, but so far construction has not begun.
The Marriott Residence Inn extended-stay hotel, on Fore Street next to the Ocean Gateway Garage, is the only major Eastern Waterfront private development that reached fruition. It opened in August.
Redevelopment plans for the city-owned Maine State Pier also fell through, in 2008.
Calls to City Hall officials regarding the Jordan's Meats property were not returned this week.
The property, which takes up almost a block between Franklin Arterial and India, Middle and Fore streets, has been vacant since the plant closed in February 2005, despite attempts by the current owner to develop it into a luxury hotel and later an extended-stay hotel and office complex.
Broker Greg Boulos, of CBRE/The Boulos Co., confirmed this week that the property is under contract but would not say to whom or what the redevelopment plans are.
"I can't really say too much because it hasn't been closed on," Boulos said.
The 1.75-acre property has been on the market since 2007. The listing price was $4.75 million.
The Procaccianti Group of Cranston, R.I., owns the property. Procaccianti in December 2005 received permission from the city to redevelop the property in to a high-end Westin Hotel with luxury condominiums. A year later no work had been done and the developer applied for a year extension to its contract zone. Shortly after, the property was put on the market.
In 2007, Procaccianti approached the city with a new plan for an extended-stay hotel and office building, but never got to the planning stage. The property is now leased for parking.
Procaccianti was one of many developers that set their sights on the Eastern Waterfront a few years ago. The Riverwalk development and the Bay House condominium project also received approval from the city. Riverwalk built the Ocean Gateway parking garage, but condominiums and retail space were never built and the project is the subject of a lawsuit between members of the development group.
Bay House, which is supposed to be built at the former Village Cafe site, is still being actively marketed, but so far construction has not begun.
The Marriott Residence Inn extended-stay hotel, on Fore Street next to the Ocean Gateway Garage, is the only major Eastern Waterfront private development that reached fruition. It opened in August.
Redevelopment plans for the city-owned Maine State Pier also fell through, in 2008.
Calls to City Hall officials regarding the Jordan's Meats property were not returned this week.
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Patrick
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some pretty decent shots of monument square if you watch the video on this link
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=297089&ac=PHnws
also: Rebuilt pier to host Coast Guard cutters
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=297037&ac=PHnws
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Patrick
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There is so much going on in Portland in terms of talk, but nothing really seems to be getting done. The city really should concentrate its efforts on one area at a time. Bayside, or the eastern waterfront. anyway, that complaint aside, here is a story perhaps of some interest:
Neighborhood groups wary as Portland hospital eyes acquisition of Congress Street lots
PORTLAND ? First it was confusion over the fate of a small lot Valley Street lot. Now residents are expressing concern over Maine Medical Center's interest in a one-acre property on Congress Street.
Michael Ryan, MMC vice president of operations, said in an Oct. 16 letter to leaders of area neighborhood associations that the hospital board of trustees authorized the purchase of several lots. One was formerly occupied by the Sportsman's Bar & Grill, and others included a 12-unit apartment building and 9,500-square-foot commercial building.
Ryan, who could not be reached for comment this week, said in the letter that MMC does not have specific plans for the property at 909-919 Congress St., but noted it would be a good location for a commercial business or medical offices, since it is near the Gilman and Congress street parking garages. MMC spokesman John Lamb confirmed the hospital is negotiating for the property, but would not discuss potential uses.
The sale agreement would require demolition of all building prior to the purchase, Ryan's letter said, and the hospital would have to satisfy the city's housing replacement requirement, which requires developers to replace housing units or pay the city about $50,000 within 2 1/2 years of the purchase.
"Again, MMC has no immediate plans to develop this site but we think it makes sense as a location for future medical center use," Ryan said.
St. John's Valley Neighborhood Association President Moses Sabina said he believes the hospital is not allowed to develop the site, because of an agreement it has with the city limiting any development to its existing properties.
"We cannot allow them to disregard any part of their contract with the city," Sabina said in an e-mail.
Portland Planning and Development Director Penny Littell could not be reached for comment about whether any potential development of the site would fit within the existing contract or if changes would have to be made.
Sabina said the association supports commercial development of the property, but not for an expansion of the hospital. The group also fears that the absence of an immediate development plan will mean that the vacant lot that was occupied by the restaurant, which burned in 2002, will become additional parking.
The letter from MMC comes at a time when neighbors are trying to improve relations with the hospital, and West End neighborhood groups are battling what they describe institutional creep into the historic neighborhood.
"Up to this point, our relations with the hospital have been improving," Sabina said. "This is their first attempt to do something on a property they do not currently own."
The SJVNA, along with the West End Neighborhood Association and the Western Promenade Neighborhood Association, have been unhappy with the hospital's handling of graffiti and what they say is neglect of a vacant lot at the corner of Valley and A Street, which has been used to store construction equipment.
WENA and WPNA are also fighting establishment of an overlay zone that would allow the Waynflete School to expand into existing residential buildings.
When the hospital told residents it was going to pave the Valley Street lot, the neighborhood associations voted to oppose the plan, believing the hospital was obligated to loam and seed the parcel and keep it as open space.
An anonymous video was posted to YouTube on July 11 detailing the condition of the lot, which is fenced in and masked with black material. The narrator points out areas of graffiti, loose wires and brick, asking people to contact the hospital if they are unhappy with its condition.
However, Sabina said the neighborhood association will likely vote to rescind its opposition to the parking lot proposal, because Maine Medical Center has agreed to landscape the area near the sidewalk.
"They are well within their right to develop that lot into parking," Sabina said. "The alternative is for the lot to stay the way it is, and no one wants it to stay the way it is."
Neighborhood groups wary as Portland hospital eyes acquisition of Congress Street lots
PORTLAND ? First it was confusion over the fate of a small lot Valley Street lot. Now residents are expressing concern over Maine Medical Center's interest in a one-acre property on Congress Street.
Michael Ryan, MMC vice president of operations, said in an Oct. 16 letter to leaders of area neighborhood associations that the hospital board of trustees authorized the purchase of several lots. One was formerly occupied by the Sportsman's Bar & Grill, and others included a 12-unit apartment building and 9,500-square-foot commercial building.
Ryan, who could not be reached for comment this week, said in the letter that MMC does not have specific plans for the property at 909-919 Congress St., but noted it would be a good location for a commercial business or medical offices, since it is near the Gilman and Congress street parking garages. MMC spokesman John Lamb confirmed the hospital is negotiating for the property, but would not discuss potential uses.
The sale agreement would require demolition of all building prior to the purchase, Ryan's letter said, and the hospital would have to satisfy the city's housing replacement requirement, which requires developers to replace housing units or pay the city about $50,000 within 2 1/2 years of the purchase.
"Again, MMC has no immediate plans to develop this site but we think it makes sense as a location for future medical center use," Ryan said.
St. John's Valley Neighborhood Association President Moses Sabina said he believes the hospital is not allowed to develop the site, because of an agreement it has with the city limiting any development to its existing properties.
"We cannot allow them to disregard any part of their contract with the city," Sabina said in an e-mail.
Portland Planning and Development Director Penny Littell could not be reached for comment about whether any potential development of the site would fit within the existing contract or if changes would have to be made.
Sabina said the association supports commercial development of the property, but not for an expansion of the hospital. The group also fears that the absence of an immediate development plan will mean that the vacant lot that was occupied by the restaurant, which burned in 2002, will become additional parking.
The letter from MMC comes at a time when neighbors are trying to improve relations with the hospital, and West End neighborhood groups are battling what they describe institutional creep into the historic neighborhood.
"Up to this point, our relations with the hospital have been improving," Sabina said. "This is their first attempt to do something on a property they do not currently own."
The SJVNA, along with the West End Neighborhood Association and the Western Promenade Neighborhood Association, have been unhappy with the hospital's handling of graffiti and what they say is neglect of a vacant lot at the corner of Valley and A Street, which has been used to store construction equipment.
WENA and WPNA are also fighting establishment of an overlay zone that would allow the Waynflete School to expand into existing residential buildings.
When the hospital told residents it was going to pave the Valley Street lot, the neighborhood associations voted to oppose the plan, believing the hospital was obligated to loam and seed the parcel and keep it as open space.
An anonymous video was posted to YouTube on July 11 detailing the condition of the lot, which is fenced in and masked with black material. The narrator points out areas of graffiti, loose wires and brick, asking people to contact the hospital if they are unhappy with its condition.
However, Sabina said the neighborhood association will likely vote to rescind its opposition to the parking lot proposal, because Maine Medical Center has agreed to landscape the area near the sidewalk.
"They are well within their right to develop that lot into parking," Sabina said. "The alternative is for the lot to stay the way it is, and no one wants it to stay the way it is."
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Patrick
Guest
From Boston.com
PORTLAND, Maine?A former processed meat plant in Portland that had once been envisioned as the site of a hotel and upscale condominiums is getting a new owner.
Greg Boulos of commercial real estate broker CB Richard Ellis says the 1.8 acre property with views of the Portland harbor is under contract to be sold.
He wouldn't identify the new buyer, the plans for the site or the purchase price.
The property in a section of Portland that is being redeveloped has been on the market for two years with a listed price of $4.75 million.
Its current owner never moved ahead with its development plans.
The Portland Press Herald says Jordan's Meats operated the plant until 2005.
I am guessing whoever bought this is going to flip it once the economy improves, at which time it might be worth a whole heck of a lot more than the current purchase price, assuming plans to redevelop the neighborhood continue. I personally don't think much will come of this neighborhood unless areas closer to the water (like the Watermark site) are appropriately developed. I mean, they are marketing the neighborhood as a waterfront area, but the waterfront is full of parking spots for the ocean gateway cruise ship terminal, and theres really no view.
