BAR HARBOR, Maine — Residents will be advised to buy a former ferry terminal for $3.5 million to reduce tourist traffic in town.
A Town Council committee agreed Tuesday to advise that cruise-ship tender traffic be split between docks downtown and the Eden Street site of the former terminal, which they hope will become a multi-use marine facility, according to Ruth Eveland, co-chairwoman of the Ferry Terminal Property Advisory Committee.
A significant part of this town’s economy, tourist traffic is among Bar Harbor’s most controversial topics. Tourists flood downtown streets and sidewalks during summer and fall, and it’s enough of a problem that even ardent supporters of town tourism think they need to be better managed.
“The committee wishes to note that their recommendations do not envision growth in cruise ship passengers, which was consistent with extensive community input on the subject,” according to the committee’s draft letter to the council.
Making the facility available for public transportation, recreation and commercial fishing is a big part of the committee’s proposal, Everland said.
“It is the last possible place in our community that allows for public access to the waterfront,” Everland said after Tuesday’s meeting. “There’s no other property in town that we can buy. This is the property for the town to own to accomplish this.”
The Maine Department of Transportation, which took ownership of the dock when Bay Ferries Limited ended its Bar Harbor service in 2009, has given councilors until December to decide whether to buy the site.
The department’s set prices: $2 million if an investor is involved, $2.5 million if the town pledges transportation use for it and $3.5 million without those obligations.
The $3.5 million option will allow the greatest control over the property, committee members said.
The committee advises pursuing a recent offer from Bay Ferries to return to the facility, if the company agrees to share the terminal.
“If the business plan or Bay Ferries’ needs preclude a multi-use marine facility with tendering, the committee prioritizes marine uses including a transportation hub at the property over Bay Ferries,” according to the committee’s letter.
The terminal could relieve congestion in Bar Harbor waters by directing some tenders away from the bay. Transporting motorists from the terminal would relieve car traffic downtown, committee members said.
The council is due to discuss the recommendations 7 p.m. Tuesday.
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