ROCKLAND, Maine — Neighbors Rockland and Rockport will host the first of what is expected to be several forums to gather comments from the public about the future of a section of Route 1 when Walmart leaves later this year.
The Rockland Economic Development Advisory Committee is holding the forum at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 21, at the University of Rockland at 91 Camden St. in the Breakwater Marketplace building.
The purpose of the meeting, according to the city, is to discuss the future of Camden Street from the intersection of Maverick Street in Rockland all the way into Glen Cove in Rockport.
“We want to hear what the public has to say and give the public a chance to hear what others have to say, too,” according to advisory committee Chairwoman Joanne Billington in a news release issued by the city. “Looking ahead 10 years from now, how do we want Camden Street and the surrounding neighborhoods to be developed into the best place in Maine to live, work, and play?”
Walmart is the largest retail building in Rockland, consisting of 94,000 square feet on the northern end of Route 1, also known as Camden Street. The Walmart building was constructed in 1993.
The company has received approval to build a new complex on Route 1 in Thomaston, about 3 miles from the current location.
Groundbreaking for the new Walmart is expected to occur next month and the store could open by Christmas.
Rockland Community Development Director Audrey Lovering said notices have been mailed to property owners along the stretch in an effort to be as thorough as possible to get feedback from the public and those directly affected by any changes.
Two words: Olive Garden
That would be a massive Olive Garden lol
There will be a new Olive Garden in the NEW Walmart developement in Thomaston..JFYI..
I doubt you’ll see Olive Garden, I’m betting on another low end of the sit down chains, ala Chili’s or another.
I’m thinking they should consider an indoor/outdoor paintball facility.
Who’s they? The City doesn’t own the property, merely has a significant interest in replacing the tax and job loss. If you think a paintball facility is economically feasible, get some investors and have at it.
Ouch, I guess it’s not ok for people to throw out trivial comments, knowing that what they posted was satire. No need to take it to seriously dude.
Glad they are preemptively living in the solution instead of seeing it as a problem. Am sure we will be hearing some good news since both Audrey and Joanne ; two “CAN DO” people; will be working together on this project.
Seriously? Preemptively???? They have known about this for over 2 0r 3 years now, and they are just now polling the public when the building could be empty in as little as 6 months? I think they’ve been living with their heads in the sand. I actually even heard someone say that they hoped they bull=dozed that lot and got rid of the box store, and put in a a mini-mall of boutique shops. Rockland tax payers are going to be seeing a rise and more rise in taxes if they keep losing business. The school district that is now consolidated will cost more money, mainly because of the new Many Flags project that someday will get forced through. The state might cough up some money at some point to build it, but no one has any idea what is going to happen to operating costs. It will be phenomenal is my prediction. So whatever Rockland plans, it really should generate as much revenue for the city as possible.
Methadone clinic?
Winner, winner, winner!
I wondered how long into the list before someone posted that idea…. I’m sure Warren would LOVE that too.
Who really care if Wal-Mart is leaving Rockland. Maybe they can put an art gallery and a Resturant ,just like Down town Rockland.
First Question. Are you serious?
Second question. Are you from Belfast?
Third question. How does an art gallery help the local people of Rockland?
It a joke, I am ref to all the art gallery on main st ,you walk down main st and that all you see. you cant buy any good clothes in Rockland, Subject: [bdn] Re: Rockland, Rockport to consider life without a Walmart
I do live in Rockland.
Subject: [bdn] Re: Rockland, Rockport to consider life without a Walmart
It a joke, I am ref to all the art gallery on main st ,you walk down main st and that all you see. you cant buy any good clothes in Rockland,
Subject: [bdn] Re: Rockland, Rockport to consider life without a Walmart
except for the 4-5 clothing stores on Main St.
but where will you get all your cut-off Nascar T-shirts?
Can anyone say Mardens…………….Just like they did in Waterville.
do you mean Ellsworth?
There is also one in Waterville. Did not know they have one in Ellsworth.
Waterville, Ellsworth, and Scarborough Marden’s are old WalMarts
nah I meant Auburn. wasn’t it across from the new(er) ‘super’ wally?
Yup.
Ellsworth and Waterville stores became Mardens
I believe that in Auburn the old Wally became a Kohls. After 3 years of mandatory Wal-Mart vacancy.
Actually, it became a Petco.
The Sam’s Club became Kohl’s.
Never was a Sam’s Club in Auburn. The former Walmart became a Kohl’s, Petco, and Famous Footwear. The only Sam’s Clubs in Maine are in Bangor, Augusta, and Scaborough. The Mardens in that area is in Lewiston in what appears to be an old Ames store or something similar.
Put in a craft store and an Olive Garden and I’ll be happy.
Put in anything, just collect the taxes…
I dunno. I kinda like the old broken down, abandoned Bonanza Restaurant and the trailer park. One thing’s for sure: The more valuable the property, the more spectacular the view, the more likely the geniuses in Rockland will put in a tire store.
It pretty sad when wal mart employees can get food stamps and everything eles the state gives away.Wal Mart tells there employees how to get. Subject: [bdn] Re: Rockland, Rockport to consider life without a Walmart
I worked for Walmart and my husband still does, I had to leave because of a disabling lung disease. They did offer to help us get applications for medical and food stamps, but only because they knew us and that we would be to proud to ask for help on our own. We don’t qualify for anything but medical for me. Not even fuel assistance, because my husband works. Yes I do get SSDI but not full because my husband works. I can’t get help to get a ramp to get out of my home because all programs have been cut. And it’s hard with a walker and oxygen bottle to get down stairs. Basically, we don’t qualify for anything, by just a few dollars, because my husband works. A lot of people at Walmart are hard working, don’t get any help,even though they could use it. And Walmart is a good company that gives people who want to work a chance to do so.
Hey folks at the Walmart where Cathleen McGee’s husband works, and where she worked until incapacitated by lung disease, how about rallying around this family and helping them get a ramp installed? Many hands, good hearts, and perhaps a bit of financial backing from Walmart could get the job done in a jiffy–and this lady would have increased mobility and freedom!! I challenge Walmart, in hearing this story, not to turn a blind eye!!
BBDNFAN I really wasn’t complaining for myself , our Walmart has been very good to us and continues to be. When this first started three years ago I was still able to walk some, now not at all without assistance, I get by in true Maine fashion. And there are others who need help just as bad, not just myself. I just was trying to make a point that not everyone who works for Walmart is on the State dole even when they really need some help. And that people can say what they will about Walmart, it was and still is a good place to work.
Why would you say that any business that does not pay a living wage is a good place to work ?
And so do Marden’s employees. Our “beloved” governor brags that he kept his “best” employee at $10/hour so she could collect welfare and food stamps. The bottom line is places like Walmart and Marden’s, which are full of hard-working but struggling employees, are the shining example of what the Republican Recovery will bring you-jobs with low wages, no benefits, and a disposable work force.
Life without Walmart? Who would have ever thought that was possible again? I wish I lived where there wasn’t one!
Life without Walmart? It’s called Target.
Golden Corral!!! Keep seeing those ads on NASCAR broadcasts and it looks yummy and cheap for families to enjoy!
Golden Corral is good eats. I dont think there is one within 700 miles of Maine.
Maybe Joe Steinberger can create a new consortium that has no money to bid on the building.
My money is on Mardens..They have had an interest in the midcoast for a while…As far as the forum goes…What the heck are they talking about ?? Demomolishing the old Bonanza and closing the trailer park ?? LOL…Can’t wait to get in the new store and away from that trailer park…LOL…Besides Olive Garden there will also be a new Tractor Supply in the new developement..Haven’t heard what will be in the other 3 stores…
Here I go spreading rumors…I heard Target approached the land owners accross the street from where the NEW Walmart is going…Where the old redemption center was and the Motor Vehicle building was. The people who ran the redemption center told me the owner had been approached and now I see the building is gone. Target would be nice, but if I had my choice I would love to see a Christmas Tree Shop!
A Governors!
It’s not gone. It’s only moving 3 miles down the road, which could be out of reach for some. I heard a clerk at the Rockland Shaw’s saying how she doesn’t get up to Camden any more,which is 3 miles north.
That’s because there is nothing to go to Camden for unless you are a tourist.
How about a casino?
Lord knows we need another casino.
“Rockland Slots”… I can see the bright lights from Belfast!
(sarcasm alarm going off)
How poorly is this story headlined. Wal-Mart is only moving to the southern side of Rockland and expanding, all to the benefit of Thomaston. There will still be a Wal-Mart. I agree however Rockland and Rockport need to look at what is on Route 1 where they abut each other and determine a plan to create a more robust business or commercial environment that will attract better paying jobs than exist now.
The sad part is that Rockland had a chance to have a Super WalMart, but turned them down. So now instead of a Super WalMart, there is a Home Depot instead. Where is the logic in that?
If I recall the deal required cooperation from Rockport with parking and that was a no go.
Its because the BDN is left wing rag that hates Walmart
Gun store with an indoor range.
Nothing that is going to take it off the tax rolls. Something that is going to bring jobs. I’d say jobs that pay a living wage, but that is probably too much to ask for.
“University of Rockland”?
Life without Wal Mart would be awful.
MARDEN’S!
….
Trader Joe’s or Target would be nice…..
Trader Joe’s or Target would be nice..