Rockland REDAC Committee Invites Community to Workshop #6

Rockland, Maine - The Rockland Economic Development Advisory Committee (REDAC) will be holding its sixth workshop to develop a community vision for the commercial strip between Maverick Street and Warrenton Street in Rockport.  The workshop will be on Wednesday, March 27 at 5:30- 7:30 p.m. at the Breakwater Marketplace, 91 Camden Street in Rockland.  All are invited to participate in this inclusive, community driven workshop.

REDAC has been working with community members, business and property owners and Friends of Midcoast Maine to develop a community designed vision for this area.  The March 27  workshop will focus on the community values that have been identified in previous workshops and recently adopted by the Rockland City Council and will include looking at several design  and redevelopment alternatives for the public right-of-way as well as several private properties for  interested property owners.  The Rockport Board of Selectmen also joined in this process in order to develop some design options for the Rockport area from the City/Town line to Warrenton Street.  Rockport and Rockland leaders and staff invite community members to take part.

This 1 ½  mile Route One corridor includes strip malls, big box stores, small hotels, offices, an historic area  and drive-through establishments and is surrounding by numerous neighborhoods and housing developments.   It is the northern gateway to Rockland and the southern gateway to Rockport, Maine.

REDAC members recently assisted Friends of Midcoast Maine in reviewing consultant proposals for developing design alternatives for this section of Rockland and into Rockport.  Terrence J DeWan with partners HNTB and C. Michael Lewis will be working on the project with REDAC and FMM over the coming months.  Community Development Director John Holden noted that he has reached out to property owners along this area to see if they would like to receive these free design services and look at alternatives for their properties.  He noted that no specific private site will be evaluated without the property owner’s collaboration.  Interested property owners are encouraged to contact him at City Hall in Rockland or call 207 594-0306.

REDAC chairman Joanne Billington noted “REDAC has held this area of town as its top priority to enhance the economic development potential, the aesthetics and the public places in this area. This collaboration and funding from Friends of Midcoast Maine has allowed REDCAC to work with the community in a continued sustained way so that we can look into alternatives for this area. Our goal is to build a better place for our neighbors, property owners, and community members so our community stays healthy for all of us.

The project is fully funded by Friends of Midcoast Maine through grants and donations. Jane Lafleur, Executive Director of FMM, noted that “Friends of Midcoast Maine works with communities all along the Route One corridor and on the peninsulas to plan and develop in ways that enhance the livability of our communities.  This project has been an exciting demonstration of the “community as expert” and a locally lead process to determine the best future for the community, its residents and its businesses. ”

To receive information about this process and to get involved, contact John Holden in Rockland, Tom Ford in Rockport or send an e-mail address to REDAC@friendsmidcoast.org  or call 207 236-1077.