BREWER, Maine — A survey of 535 area residents drew comments that highlighted a need for the city to improve its Main Street corridor and attract a variety of businesses to the area.
Ron Cote of Auxilar LLC, who compiled the survey results and presented them to city councilors Tuesday, said they show a “tale of two cities.”
“It’s clear the city of Brewer is in a good position of growth,” he said. “It’s [also] clear the city has challenges.”
The survey results, which are available on the city’s Web site, brewerme.org, show that Brewer does not have a well-defined downtown and lacks centralized shopping and dining areas.
When asked what would bring them downtown, a summary of the responders answers said, “Add more non-fast food restaurants (68 percent), outlet stores (53 percent), a public market (52 percent), bookstores (45 percent) and live entertainment (40 percent) if you want to get me to shop more in Brewer.”
The survey shows that most of the responders, who are residents or who travel through Brewer on a daily basis, shop and eat at restaurants in Bangor.
“About 40 to 45 percent would prefer to shop in Brewer,” Cote said. “They see a lot of potential,” but choose Bangor because of easy access, parking and the variety of options in one area, mostly the Bangor Mall.
They list “development issues,” lack of options and problems with traffic and parking as reasons why they avoid shopping along the Main Street corridor in Brewer.
Tanya Pereira, Brewer’s economic development specialist, said she learned a lot about what people think about the city and their shopping habits through the survey.
“We also heard a lot of very harsh and honest feedback about what our downtown area is lacking,” she said, and “what they’re looking for, why they’re not shopping or looking for services here.”
The survey will help as the city moves forward with improvements to the downtown, including traffic and riverfront improvements.
“All the hard work that has been done over the last 20 years to restore the river is something we want to highlight,” Pereira said. “People are looking for a way to get into touch with that.”
The survey was conducted online through the city’s Web site between Feb. 1 and April 15.
“This is a great instrument we have here,” City Councilor Michael Celli said after Cote’s presentation. “I equate this with our comprehensive plan. That [plan] turned this town around.”
Cote said the survey is a baseline that would be used by city leaders to guide improvements.
“We have a lot of areas that are really good … and areas that need some work,” he said.
On 10/16/08 at 1:58 AM,
Johninphilippines wrote:
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I agree. However, you better plan for traffic egresses. Brewer's street system seems to be inadequate right now to accept many of these proposals, although with some effective planning (in-state, please) Brewer could get rid of their old-fashioned "housie-looking buildings" and get some mordernization into its downtown infrastructure. Great idea...City of Brewer. Go for it if you can. It's been a long-time in coming!
On 10/16/08 at 9:14 AM,
Gosocks wrote:
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Getting rid of "housie-looking" buildings now will put Brewer in the same situation Bangor is in now--regret. Regret for tearing down historic buildings and landmarks in the name of progress.
I took part in this survey, and my initial response to the question asking what it would take to bring me "downtown" was clear and simple--Tell me where downtown Brewer is located! Brewer has a Main Street, it does not have a "Downtown." There is no city center, no park, nothing to indicate the boundries of a downtown shopping district. There's little to no parking along Main Street which curtails park-n-walk shoppers. But then there are not enough business to spend an afternoon walking and shopping.
Perhaps this river trail that was promised 2 years ago will finally begin construction and then give people a reason to come to Brewer. Once that is built, perhaps boutiques and other "downtown-type stores will filter into the area.
On 10/16/08 at 12:06 PM,
Thinkaboutit wrote:
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Has anyone noticed that JOE PERRY is running the exact same add for re election that he ran 4 years ago..saying the same old thing - I want to work for you - Blah - Blah - Blah..He deceitful ad's on tv .. trying to mislead the voting public the he is sincere and sending a false message that is over 4 years old..Maine citizens...don't be fooled by a career politician. If the best he can do is run 4 year old adds with the same old message .. essentially lying to the public..Well I say..I'm fed up with Career Politicians that are DISHONEST with the PEOPLE of Maine..VOTE OUT JOE PERRY FOR BEING DECEITFUL. We need new leadership!!! SHAME ON YOU JOE PERRY !!!!
On 10/16/08 at 4:24 PM,
Johninphilippines wrote:
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You are right, "Gosocks". Brewer never had any downtown to speak of, anyway. I remember just one store, along south Main Street where we used to buy things when I was younger...it was on a corner, near to those confluences coming into Brewer over the old Bangor-Brewer steel bridge (now gone). Maybe Brewer should rethink their situations in the article (as I did) and forget the renovations. Instead, give a complete facelift to these homes and keep the rustic designed-buildings and originatlity of Brewer's past static.
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