Portland, ME - New Construction Continued

This is from earlier today...

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I was also at the library (Patrick, where you at the library today around noon? I thought I saw someone that looked like you but we've never met in person so I wasn't sure?) Anyhow, the library is AMAZING. What a complete makeover. I am very proud of the job they have done and how great of an asset it is for the city.
 
Yes I was at the library. still am actually. I was also at Crescent Heights earlier today. Funny. anyway, I wasn't sure it was you until when you left I spotted what looked like a camera. That obliterated 99% of any remaining doubt :)
 
I wasn't aware of the lights outside of the library. Where am I, Las Vegas?! :p Looks sharp.

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Was not aware of exterior lighting either, adds some visual excitement to Monument Square. Now they need find the money for the video screen and complete the project. Wish they would have replaced the original third floor windows on the front facade with glass that has a greenish tint to match the new glass, looks unfinished in my opinion.
 
I saw a neon light on a section of the solar chimney. but only a portion was illuminated. this was over the winter. I wondered what would come of it. now i know. great picture corey. I agree the other glass should be replaced, but its probably a money issue, like the video screen. Hopefully they can get the money for both eventually. This will really do a ton to make portland more of a 24 hour city instead of having the sidewalks roll up at 5:00. or at least it will make it "appear" more like that type of city, even if the sidewalks to in fact roll up early. Great shot.
 
Also, just quickly, I can imagine this both pleasing and bugging people. who would imagine neon lights next to the fidelity building? I sort of like it, but I can imagine how someone might later say - what were they thinking? whatever, it looks modern and beats the old library for sure!
 
also, lastly, Gritty's...the under contract sign you mentioned in bayside doesn't refer to the site, it refers to the leasable square footage in the already existing building, which is being rented out by a new business (the former rent-a-center building). Things will get going again when the economy gets better. Before the downturn, Portland was on the biggest building spree it had been on in over a century. There is still interest in this place, the question is does the money exist in the banks to finance its development? not now, but maybe when the economy improves...
 
There's an under contract sign on both the building and the lot of land after it. We'll have to see.
 
I hope there is something in the works, but it just doesn't seem like this is the right economic state to have parcels under contract for development. It is quite honestly a bit surprising that even the Hampton is going up. The fact that John Cacoulidis has talked about luring 1,000 insurance workers from Boston and NYC is also astounding. So while I wouldn't say it is impossible, I would assume that rather than being developed the lot is probably someone's speculative investment move. buy low, sell high. that sort of thing. Of course, I don't know for sure. When the economy improves, Bayside is perfectly positioned to take off. the planning has really already been done. now just waiting for implementation. Should be interesting.
 
Not sure if these are updated from the last time some renderings were released, but here's the drawings of the Avesta plans for the Adams School site, from the city council evening meeting materials:

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Speaking of John Cacoulidis, has there been any word on his plans to build the tallest building north of Boston?
 
Todd I sent you a personal message with some information on Cacoulidis (nothing big) that I didn't want to post in the forum because I'm not sure if its true and didn't want to start any rumors.
 
I'll start a new rumor: Cacoulidis is planning on building a 3/4 scale replica of the Eiffel Tower on Munjoy Hill.

:p

New trees in Monument Square:
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Work continues on the new plaza here:
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the trees look great, last weekend I was in Monument Square and they were planting them, they make a big difference.

Good news about the redesign of Congress Square
 
I like the Ginko trees. Seems like they get an unfair rap. It's probably because they're so common (they're supposedly resistant to exhaust), but I still like them.

The new cladding on One Monument Square is a big improvement.
 
Hopefully they will they will paint the crown/mechanical space soon so it will match the new exterior. The building ownership decided to skip using the matching panels on that portion of the building, they should remove the Pierce Atwood sign-age while they are up there. I totally agree that the building's new look is a huge improvement and does wonders for the Monument Square streetscape along with the new planters and the renovated library.
 
In a way, the fact that they have decided to skimp on the renovation and only paint the exterior coverage of the mechanical grate is illustrative of a very important fact that has implications for counter-arguments to use against NIMBYs who claim blocked views. Once you get above a certain height, no one can see the top of a building, let alone over the top of a building. So the argument for blocked views loses force pretty quickly. A town planner once said to me, once you get over three stories, it doesn't matter whether you are 4 or 20. The shadow argument still has some merit though.
 
What do people think the future will bring for Congress Square? The meeting is tonight, Im eager to see what comes out of it.
 
Well, it is difficult to forecast. for one thing, the site used to house a structure, so a new building isn't out of the picture. However, given the economy, the site would likely just sit there, and that wouldn't address the issue that has been raised. I'm not terribly convinced anything needs to be done to or with it. Sure, it would be nice, but I can think of several other lots around town that need more TLC than congress square. (2.) or the place could be raised, better landscaped, and left as is.

My prediction is that there will be study groups, a long drawn out process, and then there will be a RFP to some landscape architects, then the city will say woops we have no money and the project will become just a memory. That's how this place works. I wish they (the City) would stop spreading their resources and time and effort so thin and just focus on one area at a time until real progress can be made, then move on. Eastern waterfront/new port, Bayside, the arts district, congress square, the east end boat launch, the rain garden, east bayside, I mean c'mon every day its a new "fad" area to focus on in this city, but what happened to the areas that were trendy to focus on the day before? Lets not forget about them. Changing the focus of city efforts from one place to another isn't fooling anyone--nothing is actually being accomplished. As soon as the PPH mentions something in the news, it takes off like a new style of hairdo and you see it everywhere all over the news and blogs and peoples' discussions, which is fine, but again, what about the hot topics of yesterday/year? The civic center is a prime example. anyway, I'll be working all night so let us know how it goes if you attend, Todd. Thanks.
 
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