Biddeford Vacancies

The Journal Tribune reports an apparent increase in abandoned and vacant rental properties in Biddeford.

Great Maine Forest Initiative

The Press Herald reports on a proposed State-Federal partnership to "use state and national resources to conserve vast tracts of forestland, maintaining them as natural habitat and for recreation and sustainable forestry."

Freeport Market Expansion

The Times Record reports that the Bow Street market is proposing an expansion that would include making the site mixed use.

Jordan's Meat Project Zoning Reversion

The Press Herald reports that the development group that is selling the former Jordan's Meats site in Portland has asked the city's Planning Board to repeal the contract zoning that would have allowed hotel and condominium development on the site. If the request is approved the site would revert to downtown business zone.

Volume up Value Down

The Bangor Daily News breaks down the Northern half of a reported 49% increase in home sales volume for November 2009 against 2008, coupled with a 5% drop in median sales price.

Meanwhile, national sales of new homes dropped 11% in the past month.

Convent Conversion

The Press Herald has a story on a developer's purchase of the Good Shepherd Sisters' convent in Saco, with plans to demolish the building and subdivide the property for 14 house lots.

Knightsville Rising

The Press Herald's story on the Knightsville neighborhood in South Portland suggests that the opening of the new Casco Bay Bridge killed commercial activity there, but doesn't suggest what's driving the reported rebirth.

Wind Power Planning

MPBN reports on the obvious need for some strategic planning around the siting of wind power generation. In the same way that transportation corridors can catalyze other development- electricity generation is likely to do the same.

Saco CVS Proposal Divides Community

The Press Herald reports on a debate in Saco over a proposed CVS. The lesson here is that zoning and land use ordinances should be accompanied by build-out models.

Alternate Parking

The Press Herald reports on a proposal to allow developers to pay a fee in lieu of creating parking spaces. The fees would fund transportation improvements. Reader comments are critical, and there is a lot of call for more and cheaper parking- giving weight to the observation that free parking is like free beer, there's never enough.

Main Street Competes

The Press Herald has a story on Bath's downtown. Local business opposition saved its historic structures from urban renewal, attention to design details have invested in improved on what was preserved, and economic development efforts have focused on growing local businesses rather than attracting national chains and franchises.

Riverdam Revived?

The Journal Tribune reports that the renovation of one of the former Riverdam mill complex buildings in Biddeford may be back on track for a construction start.

Portland's Housing Preservation Ordinance

The Portland Press Herald ran a story about Portland's ordinance that charges property owners $57,800 per unit to fund the replacement of housing units taken out of service. The article raises more questions than it answers and buried in the comments are a few good ones.

Habitat Builds Green

The Portland Press Herald has a story about Habitat for Humanity's green subdivision in North Deering- 1300 - 1700 sf LEED Gold Certified homes.

$73M Arena and Civic Center in Bangor

The Bangor Daily News reports that the Bangor is pursuing a $73 million arena and civic center project.