courtesy rendering / Diana Nelson
After a seventeen-year journey, Scarborough celebrated a historic groundbreaking for Maine’s inaugural new Town Center, located at The Downs on Oct. 25. Valued at $130 million, the Phase 1 development plan marks a significant milestone in new amenities, including a mix of local businesses, boutiques, restaurants, tree-lined sidewalks, walking trails, mixed-use housing, and greenspace. The aim is to revive civic pride and unity while creating a downtown that maintains a distinct “Maine” character. The dream of a town center was first introduced in Scarborough’s Comprehensive Plan in 2006.
Scarborough’s journey towards a town center began in 2006 with its inclusion in the Comprehensive Plan. “This groundbreaking marks a pivotal moment for Scarborough and the entire state of Maine. It represents a dream realized, a commitment to community growth, and an investment in our shared future,” said Jon Anderson, Scarborough Town Council member.
The Town Center stands as the centerpiece of The Downs, which is Maine’s largest mixed-use development in progress. The 525-acre planned community embodies the “live, work, and play” concept, and it has earned the moniker “A Community Trifecta.” The development encompasses a thriving light industrial sector with fifty businesses, among them industry giants like InterMed, Costco, and IDEXX, alongside a mixed-housing sector, addressing Maine’s housing crisis. The Town Center bridges the project, linking The Downs to Oak Hill via tree-lined sidewalks.
At full buildout, The Downs is poised to inject over $615 million in new value into the region, generating more than $10 million in annual tax revenue and offering 2 million square feet of commercial space. Additionally, it promises to create as many as 3,000 new jobs, with the development area covering an area half the size of the Portland peninsula.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on October 25, 2023, at Scarborough Downs Road, Route 1 Entrance, and featured prominent figures, including Governor Janet T. Mills, State of Maine; Kristina Egan, Executive Director, Greater Portland Council of Governments; Jon Anderson, Scarborough Town Council; Travis Kennedy, Scarborough Downtown Committee; Rob Tod, Founder, Allagash Brewing; and Peter Michaud and Rocco Risbara, Developers of The Downs.
Governor Janet T. Mills, State of Maine, spoke at the event, emphasizing the significance of the Town Center and its broader impact. She noted, “In addition to creating safe workforce and affordable housing for Maine families, The Downs will sustain thousands of jobs and support more than 50 Maine businesses – strengthening the local economy and Maine’s economy. On behalf of all Maine people who will benefit from this project, I congratulate The Downs on this milestone, and I look forward to the time when we can tell every person who wants to live and work in Maine, ‘welcome home.'”
Jon Anderson, Scarborough Town Council member, reflected on the significance of the day, stating, “Today, we witness the culmination of years of collaboration, vision, and dedication to a brighter future for Scarborough. The Town Center is not just bricks and mortar; it’s the heart of our community, a place that fosters unity and growth.”
The developers emphasized the grandeur of the project, noting that “The Downs is a master-planned community which balances a ‘live, work, and play’ principle, earning the project its tagline – ‘A Community Trifecta.'”
Town Center Evening Shot of new development at The Downs courtesy rendering/ Diana Nelson
The Town Center, nestled in the heart of Scarborough, has seen the entire development’s value surge from $7 million to $185.5 million since 2018, generating nearly $7 million in new tax revenue for the Town of Scarborough. This economic success played a vital role in keeping Scarborough’s 2023/2024 tax rate at 3.7%, while surrounding municipalities grappled with historic rate increases. The development has significantly expanded Scarborough’s tax base, adding over 1 million square feet of non-residential development.
The Innovation District has close to 60 businesses making it their home. The project successfully attracted renowned brands such as IDEXX, Allagash, InterMed, and Costco. 1,000 residents now occupy 500 mixed-housing units, providing a solution to the housing shortage, which has been a longstanding concern. Additionally, The Downs donated 25 acres to the Scarborough Land Trust, preserving greenspace and creating recreational trails. Private capital investments of $65 million were channeled into critical infrastructure, which includes roads, utilities, public transit, and traffic improvements, further enhancing the project’s appeal.
The groundbreaking of the Town Center signifies a giant leap towards creating a vibrant and sustainable community that reflects the shared vision of developers, local officials, and the people of Scarborough. The Town Center is expected to become a central gathering place for residents, offering dining, shopping, and outdoor recreation in a community-driven setting. The first phase of the Town Center is slated for completion in 2025.
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