It’s unfortunate that plans to build a parking garage in downtown Biddeford seem to have stalled, especially as plans for development in the mills and on Main Street continue.
According to an article published in the Journal Tribune in late September, the city says the ball is in mill owner and developer Doug Sanford’s court, while Sanford says the ball is in the city’s court. In the next day’s newspaper, another article was published about plans to develop the Lincoln Mill into market-rate apartments, and office and industrial space.
Owners of that mill, Greg Bennett and Chris Betjemann of Odyssey Properties, Inc., plan to create 101 residential units in the building and offices, as well as update industrial space for the mill’s current light industrial tenants. They have requested a parking waiver from the planning board to be able to move forward with construction.
This is a great project, in addition to the many others in the works and planning stages, but more parking will be needed to sustain all of this development.
The council needs to take charge, and make the decision to build a public garage because it’s the right decision for the city.
Despite many letters to the editor about how the city and its residents cannot afford a parking garage, Economic Development Director Daniel Stevenson has shown that is not an issue.
The money wouldn’t come from traditional taxes in the city’s coffers, instead it would come from TIF ”“ tax increment financing ”“ district funds. This also means councilors could approve such a plan without going to voters because the city wouldn’t need to bond taxpayer money for the construction.
The project could be funded initially with the more than $1 million set aside in tax increment financing funds that are restricted for downtown improvements. It’s important to not that TIF funds are not able to be transferred to the city’s general fund, and can only be used for approved uses that were outlined when the TIF was created.
After it’s built, parking garage fees would be combined with fees from metered, on-street parking to pay for the garage. In an editorial board meeting this spring, Stevenson said the first phase of the parking garage will pay for itself, with no increase to the property tax, and will be mostly leased before it’s even built.
Stevenson said it’s been shown by a professional engineering firm that downtown Biddeford cannot absorb any more growth because of the parking restrictions. That’s why the Lincoln Mill owners are looking for a waiver. The mills in the area have more than a million square feet of vacant space, meaning that 2,000 parking spaces would be needed if all that space were to be filled.
It’s also been shown in cities like Portland and Portsmouth, N.H. that people will pay to park if it’s a place they want to go. The City of Portland has several municipal and privately owned garages, and the street parking within the Old Port and the city is all metered or requires a city permit. Both cities have thriving arts scenes, and many restaurants, shops and other local businesses, which are filled with customers who have to pay to park.
If a parking structure is not built in Biddeford, developers may demolish buildings to make way for parking lots. That would be a major loss for the city. The mills that have been renovated are now beautiful apartments, artists’ studios, coffee shops and other eateries, and small manufacturers. Many of the mills’ iconic and historic features have been preserved and highlighted ”“ including high ceilings, exposed brink walls and large windows.
Biddeford has the chance to move forward and make a name for itself in southern Maine, as a destination and a great place to live and work, which is apparent with all of the recent projects and those in the works to develop the mill district and downtown.
Sometimes that means investment, and it takes a leap of faith. We hope Biddeford’s leaders will take the chance and invest in something that those in the know say is sorely needed for the city’s future development and prosperity.
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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham Rousseau on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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