Public Input Sought for India Street Neighborhood

Portland, Maine: Open House provides opportunity for residents, business owners and visitors to share their thoughts on future growth

What:   India Street is the subject of an innovative planning project designed to make the 15-block neighborhood more prosperous and enjoyable for residents and customers of its businesses. Next Saturday, the public is invited to share their thoughts and learn more about the neighborhood at an Open House. The public can provide input and suggestions for ways the area can grow that are compatible with the context of the area, increases residential and commercial density and supports sustainable growth patterns.

Residents of the neighborhood and those who frequent the many neighborhood businesses can help identify what they want to preserve and what is missing in an informal, drop-in atmosphere. Free snacks, coffee and hot chocolate will be provided.

Brief talks on India Street’s history and urban architecture by Greater Portland Landmarks, the Portland Society of Architects as well as a walking tour highlighting neighborhood stories will also be available at the Museum.

Sustain Southern Maine has selected the India Street neighborhood as one of ten Centers of Opportunity study areas in the southern Maine region. The neighborhood is a historic slice of Portland on the brink of change. Classic old Portland architecture abuts newly built condos. Bustling new construction overlooks now-empty lots fallen prey, at least temporarily to the recession. As home to many well-known food destinations, the neighborhood draws visitors from Greater Portland and beyond.

As a Center of Opportunity, India Street’s input and plans will be used for a more detailed city planning initiative. The lessons learned from this process will also help guide other neighborhoods looking for ways to grow that are compatible with the context of the area, increases residential and commercial density and supports sustainable growth patterns.

Sustain Southern Maine is an initiative supported by a group of nearly forty Southern Maine organizations working in partnership to find ways for communities to become more prosperous, healthy and attractive. In October 2010, the Greater Portland Council of Governments was awarded a $1.6 million Sustainable Communities Planning Grant by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for this regional planning effort.

More information on Sustain Southern Maine and the India Street study can be found atwww.sustainsouthernmaine.org.

When:                  Saturday, March 16, 2013

                             12:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Where:                 Maine Jewish Museum

                              267 Congress Street, Portland