OLD TOWN, Maine — Draft concept plans to redevelop the downtown area currently plagued by a travel-through traffic plan and unused buildings will be unveiled Monday night at the second public gathering about improving the city’s center.
City leaders are working with engineering firm Wright-Pierce on a master plan for the center of the city and for the former Old Town Canoe factory site, with associated improvements around the two areas. The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. at the Public Library.
“Like many of Maine’s riverfront communities with a long history of industrial mill activities, the city faces challenging times as the center of the community goes through a revitalization process,” a Wright-Pierce press release about the meeting states. “Also like many of Maine’s downtowns, the city of Old Town has a distinct sense of community and wealth of assets.”
The city has a number of historic buildings, downtown is close to the Penobscot River, residents are committed to supporting local businesses and want to improve the quality of life, and there is approximately 300,000-square feet of underutilized building space, the release says. The former canoe factory has been removed and the site is a 6-acre empty parcel.
“The city’s young demographic and diversity of economic tax base contribute to the overall unique character of Old Town,” the press release states. “With the assistance of the community’s input, the master planning effort seeks to develop a vision and adopt strategies and goals that are actionable and clearly supported by public consensus.”
At the first public meeting, held in November, residents expressed a desire for a destination business such as specialty grocery store Trader Joe’s or retailer L.L. Bean, to help change the underutilized downtown into a place people want to visit.
They also suggested upscale housing with commercial space, an outlet mall, a kayak water park, a hotel, restaurant, business incubators and even a Stephen King theme park.
Adding a new facade along Main Street, walking and biking trails, lighting, benches, parking and promoting the community’s connection to the Penobscot Indian Nation and the Penobscot River also made the residents’ wish list.