South Portland, Maine

[TC_zoid]

I don't see substantial pushback from nearby residents because the entire development is replacing basically nothing. And it's situated on the other side of oil tanks and oil tankers offloading at the oil terminus (not busy but nevertheless still used), so somewhat hidden from view. However, an uncertain economy could factor on financing despite Southern Maine's demand for much more. How great would it be if giant Exxon just gave the city the land and left for good. Maybe there is a potential state barter for this to happen? Without that oil cargo facility, this piece of land is pure gold. Perhaps the state could buy that land and with this new valuation having increased substantially, they could sell it to a party that would build something that benefits more than just South Portland. Be creative.

 

[Cosakita18]

I read somewhere that they have lowered the height of the tallest building in the zoning request to 140' which is around 12 floors which matches the structure to the far left in Tom's rendering.

Taking the Roux Institute strategy. Start with a taller height and then "compromise" down to the height you -really- wanted to build to.

 

[DanielPWM19]

I don't see substantial pushback from nearby residents because the entire development is replacing basically nothing. And it's situated on the other side of oil tanks and oil tankers offloading at the oil terminus (not busy but nevertheless still used), so somewhat hidden from view. However, an uncertain economy could factor on financing despite Southern Maine's demand for much more. How great would it be if giant Exxon just gave the city the land and left for good. Maybe there is a potential state barter for this to happen? Without that oil cargo facility, this piece of land is pure gold. Perhaps the state could buy that land and with this new valuation having increased substantially, they could sell it to a party that would build something that benefits more than just South Portland. Be creative.

Brilliant

 

[Tom Nevers]

South Portland council gives initial approval to 55-unit expansion of Betsy Ross House

The independent living apartment complex for older adults is near South Portland's Greenbelt Walkway and Bug Light Park.

www.pressherald.com

Construction fencing for this has gone up along the Greenbelt trail.

Photos from this afternoon.

 

[PWMFlyer]

From the SP Planning Board meeting last night, Chick-fil-a will be building a restaurant in parcel A in the next year. Macys owns the land and will lease it out. Macys is looking to develop its parcels to bring in revenue. no word on the Sears parcels.

In other action, Next Gen who runs the Days Inn is looking to build a 7 story building that will house a hotel on the site of the former Chilis.

 

[markhb]

So next to Longhorn... nice! At the same time, it's a shame that it's taking one of the few parking lots that's still heavily used.

 

[PWMFlyer]

Looks like the Yard South Project is off the table for right now.

 

[Cosakita18]

Yard South developer withdraws controversial plan in South Portland

PK Realty Management submitted a rezoning request in July for a proposal that would have added about 1,000 residential units, a waterfront park and other community amenities to the city's eastern waterfront.

www.pressherald.com

Honestly, not surprising sadly. This has been an uphill battle from the beginning and I think they realized they didn't have the support at the City level.

 

[markhb]

From the linked article:

“It’s just become really apparent that the city doesn’t have a process in place to manage a project of this scope and scale,” Packard said. “It’s a systemic issue, and it exists across Maine.”

Passive aggressive much?

 

[lunardinosaur]

We did it, we saved the abandoned industrial lot for another generation.

 

[TC_zoid]

Portland approved 1,300 new housing units in 2023, and in 2024 we are at 439 (today's PPH on hotel development). Perhaps some hi-rises can be built now that the ReCode was passed last night. If it looks like a duck...