Mechanics Park in Biddeford, shown here during a 2021 event, could be expanded if Biddeford City Council agrees to purchase a land parcel on Water Street, city officials have said. The City Council on Aug. 16 agreed to enter into an option on the land parcel. If the sale goes through, the city would own from the intersection of Main and Water streets to the wastewater treatment plant. Grace Laverriere photo
BIDDEFORD — The City Council has put their stamp of approval to taking an option on a Water Street land parcel in Biddeford, but the matter will return to council at a future for a vote to buy the property.
Purchasing this parcel would provide the city with ownership of the entire section of waterfront from the intersection of Main and Water streets to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, the majority of which is green space at Mechanics Park. According to a memo prepared by city attorney Harry B. Center, ownership of the parcel would allow expansion of Mechanics Park, benefitting Biddeford residents.
The City Council unanimously approved execution of the option at their Aug. 16 meeting. The $10,000 earmarked for the option would be deducted from the purchase price, if the sale is ultimately approved. City Council President Norman Belanger asked the City Council to allow him to abstain from the vote — because, he said, of his law firm’s involvement in the transaction — and that was granted.
City Manager Jim Bennett noted that the council’s decision to take the option is not the final vote — the purchase price and other details will be public when the matter returns to the council for their vote on the purchase.
“There were a couple of language issues to be worked out, which is why the entire package isn’t here (tonight),” said Bennett. He told the council that the negotiation for the property is consistent with the direction his office was given during a previous closed door session.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
