A view of Pearl Street in Biddeford shows the location of three buildings on Lot 3 of the former MERC property. Developer 3 Lincoln, LLC is looking to build as many as 214 residential units in buildings A and B, along with retail storefronts along Pearl Street in building A, and two restaurants in Building C. Courtesy Image/City of Biddeford
BIDDEFORD — The city government’s quest to transform the former site of a downtown Biddeford riverside trash to energy incinerator recently took a significant step forward.
The Biddeford Planning Board recently voted for final approval to 3 Lincoln LLC, for three new structures on a portion of the property.
Plans to build an 85-unit mixed use residential and commercial structure, a second building containing as many as 129-unit residential units, and a two-story structure likely to be home to a couple of restaurants first surfaced publicly in 2019.
The unanimous vote by the planning board Feb. 15 allows the project to move forward. 3 Lincoln LLC, under the helm of the Portland-based Fathom Companies, is the owner and developer and would secure all outstanding necessary permits before construction.
The former Maine Energy Recovery Company property, about 8 acres, is owned by the city. 3 Lincoln LLC has a purchase and sale agreement for just over 2 acres of it, called Lot 3, which would contain the three new buildings. The city’s parking garage occupies another portion of the former MERC property, and the creation of Pearl Point Park is being eyed for another portion of the former MERC site.
The city bought the MERC property from its parent, Casella Waste Systems, for $6.65 million in 2012 after years of municipal discontent over odor and truck traffic. The city forecasted that the purchase and closure of the incinerator would bring about a renaissance for Biddeford’s downtown and mill district. Since the closure in 2013, and with significant private investment, there has been a resurgence in those areas which now sport more housing and commerce.
All that remains of the former trash to energy incinerator is a smokestack that is host to cellphone antennas, which city officials have previously said will come down.
Planning board members had little comment about the project. A public hearing drew no comment.
The first review of the project by the Biddeford Planning Board came about a year ago.
Two requested waivers, one for parking and one for open space, were approved.
The parking waiver allows the developers to provide 39 first floor spaces for one of the buildings and the reservation of 186 parking spaces at the city parking garage, for a total of 225, rather than provide the 325 parking spaces required under the ordinance for the two residential buildings and the restaurant building.
The city’s site plan ordinance also requires 1,000 square feet be set aside for each unit, according to City Planner David Galbraith, which would amount to nearly five acres. He noted that the urban development is in the heart of the downtown district and that the developers have agreed to a public access easement to extend the RiverWalk through the property. The RiverWalk would connect directly to the proposed Pearl Point Park.
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