The City of Biddeford is moving forward with a study to determine the best way to redevelop the former Maine Energy Recovery Company waste-to-energy incinerator site, which is now owned by the city.
Last week, the city council approved a contract with Camoin Associates, which will complete a market feasibility study for the site.
This a good move for the city, and will hopefully lead to successful and positive development at the site, which plagued the immediate area for years with the smell of burning trash. Although Maine Energy did provide well-paying jobs and tax revenue for the city, it was also impeding development in the downtown and mill district due to the unpleasant smell, which could be pervasive on hot, summer days.
Now, since the city has purchased the property and demolished the incinerator, it has a clean slate, and opportunities will abound for its use.
That is why a study and a plan is imperative for the site and the city’s future ”“ to ensure the next long-term resident there is a boon to the city, not a burden to its growth. It’s encouraging that Camoin Associates ”“ with a winning bid of $99,000 ”“ has an office in Scarborough, and its co-owner Jim Damicis, who is based in that office, is familiar with the area. His company’s proposal scored the highest, and also addressed all of the criteria outlined in the RFP, according to city officials.
After getting feedback on five plans from city residents and stakeholders, Damicis said his team will fully develop two plans for the city that outline the best ways to move forward with developing the site, as well as guidance on how to implement the plans.
It is clear Biddeford is on the cusp of a renaissance ”“ which Mayor Alan Casavant says is already well under way. Thanks, in part, to his leadership, MERC was purchased in 2012 and demolished last year. And as the cleanup there wraps, the property is being prepared for what could be some exciting new developments.
There have already been some impressive changes to the city ”“ with Heart of Biddeford leading the charge. In partnership with the city and businesses, the nonprofit has led two successful rounds of its Main Street Challenge, bringing multiple businesses to Main Street, including a vegetarian restaurant, a book store/coffee shop/wine and beer bar that also has live entertainment, as well as a leather goods store, a store that features locally made home accents, jewelry and handcarved wooden art.
In addition, the Biddeford+Saco Chamber of Commerce & Industry relocated to the city from Saco earlier this year.
Biddeford’s Economic Development Director Daniel Stevenson has been hard at work trying to improve the local economy by attracting new businesses. With the help of local entrepreneurs and others who are invested in the city’s future, he’s well on the way to making Biddeford a destination for people looking to live and work in southern Maine.
The right development for the MERC site will be the icing on the cake for a city that is on track for a bright future as a highlight of the Maine coast.
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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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