Development Remains Steady in Saco

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A Newsletter by the City of Saco, Maine	August, 2008	Return to newsletter index

The headlines are all about energy costs, inflation creeping up and rising unemployment, but there is some good news out there, too. A few of the projects that have recently been reviewed by the Planning Office, and their status:

Bangor Savings Bank, 270 Main Street, was granted approval on May 6 for renovation of the western faade and entrance to the existing building, including construction of a 92 s.f. addition for a remote teller window, and reconfiguration of the parking lot, to include a drive-through lane. Lighting, drainage and landscaping will be improved, part of an overall sprucing-up of the property that many fondly remember as the Mutual Theater. Work is scheduled for completion by late September.
The Cascade/Park North subdivision off Route One has been the scene of steady activity since Spring. The most noticeable component of the project, the installation of nearly 4,000 feet of sewer line along Rte. One, kicked off the project and is now complete. The sewer line turned the corner at Cascade Road, then was routed cross-country across the former Cascade Restaurant property roughly parallel to Rte. One. The sewer route underlies what will be a new road into the property, with two connections from Rte. One. The Planning Office expects to see applications begin to trickle in for projects on individual lots within the subdivision this fall and winter. With 290 residential units, and over 400,000 square feet of retail and office space, completion of the subdivision is not anticipated until 2015 or later.
Normand Berube Builders has purchased eight lots, and the right to build utilities and streets in the Sierra Woods subdivision. With the slower market for real estate, progress on the subdivision had slowed significantly. Berube Builders has done other projects in Saco, and saw the opportunity to develop some of the last lots in what will soon be a complete, 50-lot neighborhood. In addition to Berube's efforts, the City is overseeing completion of streets and other infrastructure within the project, with the goal of street acceptance before snow flies this fall. An aspect of the subdivision that will appeal to Saco Middle School students: the original developer contributed $25,000 toward construction of a sidewalk between Sierra Woods and the middle school. The Department of Public Works has constructed much of the sidewalk, roughly parallel to Rte. 112, and will be fabricating a pedestrian bridge on site that will cross Deep Brook. Work should be complete prior to the start of the school year.
There are no plans for any NASCAR events in Saco any time soon. However, those with a competitive urge when they hear a gasoline engine start up may soon have an opportunity to "put the pedal to the metal." The Saco Pathfinders Snowmobile Club has been approved by the Planning Board to hold riding lawnmower races at its Heath Road clubhouse. In order to hold the events, club members were required to get a contract zone approval from the City Council, then to receive site plan review approval from the Planning Board. A couple of neighbors expressed concern about noise. Accordingly, the Board asked the Code Enforcement Office to review the language pertaining to noise regulation in the Zoning Ordinance, and to determine whether it is applicable to events such as lawnmower races.

Anticipated Projects This Fall
The Cinemagic application for an IMAX theater will be submitted in the near future. The project will include not only a state of the art digital system, but also seating improvements throughout the facility.

Thornton Academy plans to welcome international students to its campus beginning in September 2009. The Planning Board has had its first look at a four building, 150 bed dormitory project that is planned just north of the Main Street entrance to the campus. School officials have visited other schools in Maine that have opened their doors to international students, and been impressed with the diversity and fresh outlook brought by those from overseas.