Southern Maine Developments

[nomc]

Didn't know where else to put these two significant projects to watch -

The Edge at Berwick passes key hurdle to move ahead

$50M project, starting in the spring, will add 260 units of housing and 37 units of commercial space over the next 3-5 years in downtown Berwick.

Proposed $300M mixed-use development would bring 900 housing units to Kittery

"The 83-acre property at 98 Dennett Road and 27 Route 36 in Kittery is currently undeveloped. The swath would become the site of 11 separate areas of development, including 30,000 square feet of food-service and retail space, 29,000 square feet of medical and office space, and 42,000 square feet for life-science industry operations, according to a proposal filed with the Kittery Planning Board."

 

[DanielPWM19]

Seems suitable for the area. I just drove through here en route to Portsmouth last weekend. I find it sad that Sanford is so off the radar with any development at all. There's so much room for potential with the mills and other areas, but a city council that appears to be anti-business. Maybe in another 10-20 years Sanford will be the next Biddeford, but I doubt it haha.

 

[Portlander]

I think Sanford's main issue is that it's a little too far (16 miles) from the interstate and if DOT were to build a connector like they planning from the turnpike to Gorham development would eventually follow. Maybe widening 111 could also be a solution.

 

[NR2Portland]

Large development right as you get into Maine via I-95. Not sure the exact project this is but it’s seems like some great growth!

 

[mainejeff]

I feel like population growth in Maine is about to take off....especially when compared to historical standards.

 

[DanielPWM19]

Sanford:

At its meeting on April 5, 2023, the Sanford Planning Board granted preliminary approval of the site plan for the Stenton Trust mill redevelopment. Representatives from Winn Development made a presentation and talked about their plans for the project. The lead architect is a Sanford native, Mike Binette.

The building will be redeveloped into 90 apartments which will be income restricted at various levels to be affordable for working people employed as (for example) teachers, police officers and restaurant staff, and their families. It will be a mix of one, two and three-bedroom units. The first floor of the building will be common areas and possible future commercial space, with the residential units on floors 2-5.

The company has developed many similar projects throughout New England and showed photos of other old mill buildings which they have brought back to life. The exterior of the Stenton Trust building will be restored to "as new" condition.
In addition to the existing entrance from River St., a second driveway on the opposite end of the building will be added. Parking will be in the back of the building where the other tower was located, with the main entrance for residents on that side. Plans call for extensive landscaping including 90 new trees to be planted.

Each unit will be allotted one parking space, with a possible second parking space on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications and paperwork are expected to take up the remainder of this year, with construction scheduled to begin in the spring of 2024.

Sanford is a prime example of Urban Renewal where re-development doesn't happen. Springvale ripped down 90% of it's buildings, which sat barren for decades until Springvale Common, Rite Aid, and others were built. Sanford historically has come across as anti-business/development. There's so much potential in the Mills that they could adopt from Biddeford's vision. Many Sanford Residents work at the Shipyard. Any time there's an option for a new restaurant, the people really just want another Applebees. Or when they say they want something more upscale, they don't want to pay the prices for it. Notre Dame Church just sold in Springvale, which apparently will be ripped down for a new fire station. Had Nasson College not failed in the 80's, it could have had more life breathed into it. But for now, it's kind of a commuter town.

 

[Portlander]

Great for Sanford and I'm pleased that one of the twin mill structures will have a future after the senseless fire set by juveniles back in 2017.

 

[Portcity75]

I’ve never been in Sanford . I can’t think of anything that is in Sanford. I don’t even know how to get there. I don’t think it’s real…. Like Delaware

 

[Portlander]

It is real and the center of the downtown has changed very little from this vintage post card image.

 

[Portlander]

Downtown Sanford is also home to the tallest building (by occupied floor) between Old Orchard Beach and Portsmouth, NH.
Portland Press Herald photo

 

[PlantArch]

I’ve never been in Sanford . I can’t think of anything that is in Sanford. I don’t even know how to get there. I don’t think it’s real…. Like Delaware

I had my first opportunity to visit Sanford last fall and I was surprised that there was as much there as there is. I think there is a lot of potential in that area.

 

[Tom Nevers]

Several residential projects are under construction in York along Route 1. Pictured below are the apartments going up adjacent to the Hannaford and the recently completed Moorehouse apartments which are between Hannaford and the York River.

 

[NR2Portland]

No Yarmouth threads on the forum that I could find but I think the town certainly is doing a lot!

Yarmouth’s already very nice downtown drive is getting nicer with this addition and subtraction.

 

[NR2Portland]

Update on the Kittery development.

 

[Tom Nevers]

Below are some screenshots from the Kittery Planning Board agenda illustrating the proposed mixed use development described in the Press Herald today. The project at 283 Route 1 would replace a few storefronts with a hotel, housing and a restaurant.
More info here- https://www.kitteryme.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10031/f/agendas/283_route_1_combined_2.pdf

 

[Dr. StrangeHat]

Smart move by Kittery. Brick & motor retail will never come back to what it once was, and this will bring in more local traffic to help support the remaining retail in the area.