Flood Risk Recedes

Mainebiz reports that FEMA has revised its flood map so that most of Portland Harbor is no longer classified as a high-risk area.

Point Lookout

Capital Weekly reports that Point Lookout is under new management, although the new management does not propose any significant changes in the proposed use of the property.

Sanctuary Auditorium

Mainebiz reports that the St. Lawrence Arts Center on Munjoy Hill in Portland is moving forward with plans to build a 400 seat performing arts hall.

April Home Sales

Mainebiz reports a 63% increase in Maine home sales over April 2009, with an increase in the median sales price.

Game Changer?

The Mainebiz story on Pierce Atwood's proposed move from Monument Square to Commercial Street suggests that this might represent a new direction in the development of the Portland Waterfront.

Development Pushing Back Forests

The Press Herald has a story on a Harvard University report that forests in Maine and other New England states have reversed a trend and are now shrinking as a result of housing and commercial development.

Passamaquoddy LNG Lease Cancelled

The Bangor Daily News reports that the Bureau of Indian Affairs has canceled the land lease that the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point had entered into with Quoddy Bay LNG, which planned to construct a liquified natural gas terminal on the site.

Jordan's Meat Redevelopment Approved

Mainebiz reports that the Portland Planning Board has approved plans for a 122 room Hampton Inn on the site of the former Jordan's Meat plant. The plans also include a 180-seat restaurant and 12 condominium units.

Maine Home Sales Increase

MPBN reports a 46% increase in Maine home sales in March over the same month last year.

Bar Harbor Hotel Approved

The Mount Desert Islander reports that a $12m hotel on West Street in Bar Harbor was approved by a split vote by the appeals board.

Turner Hannafords Challenged

The Sun Journal reports that a group of abutters are appealing the Turner planning board's approval of a new Hannafords store.

Zoning Down the Pike

The Press Herald reports that Pike Industries has lost it's appeal of the Westbrook Zoning Board of Appeals decision that limits Pike's ability to expand quarrying in the Five Star Industrial Park.

Gateway Communities

Capital Weekly reports that eight midcoast communities along Route 1 have been awarded funding under the Maine DOT Gateway program to adopt land use and road management strategies that will reduce congestion.

Adams School Redevelopment Revision

The Forecaster reports that Avesta Housing's plan for redeveloping the former Adams School site on Portland's Munjoy Hill has been revised to include fewer units with more bedrooms per unit.

New Construction

The Sunday Telegram has a story saying homebuyer tax credits, good weather and low interest rates are driving some new home construction.

Brownville Resort

The Bangor Daily News reports that the developer of The Reserve at Norton Pond, a Brownville resort, is still committed to moving forward with the plan.

February Home Sales Up

MPBN reports that the volume of Maine home sales were up 14% over last February, while prices remain flat.

Bayside Planning

Portland's Bayside neighborhood, the recipient of an American Institute of Architects grant for sustainable planning, begins the planning process next week reports the Forecaster.

Bangor Waterfront

The Bangor Daily News has a story on the next phase of Bangor's waterfront redevelopment.

Tower Moratoria

The Bangor Daily News reports that several Hancock County towns are considering moratoria on power and communications towers.

Abatements

The Herald Gazette reports on a request for more than $13 million in tax abatements by the receiver holding former MBNA properties in Camden and Lincolnville.

Historic Preservation Tax Credits

Mainebiz has a story on the use of Maine's Historic Preservation Tax Credits to rehabilitate the Baxter Library building in Portland.

MDI Biological Laboratory Expansion

The Mount Desert Islander reports on an expansion plan at Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory.

Forclusures up

MPBN reports on an increase in Maine's foreclosure rate.

Augusta Flatiron

The Capital Weekly reports that Housing Initiatives of New England has expressed interest in re-developing the Cony Flatiron Building in Augusta for mixed use.

Re-floating Marina

Mainebiz reports on a plan for a floating marina in Portland that has resurfaced.

North Woods Vision

The Press Herald has a story about the work of Keeping Maine's Forests to develop a plan that will satisfy the many competing interests involved in the future of Maine's North Woods.

Jordan's Meat Site Plans

The Press Herald and the Forecaster report that a plan to redevelop the site of the former Jordan's Meats site in Portland with mixed uses including a hotel and restaurant has gotten positive reviews from the planning board.

Court Reaffirms Rollings Moutain Wind Farm

The Bangor Daily News reports that the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled against the Friends of Lincoln Lakes and upheld unanimously upheld the constitutionality of the state's law that fast-tracks the permit process for Maine wind sites.

Bar Harbor Planning Board Rejects Hotel

The Fenceviewer reports that the Bar Harbor Planning Board has rejected a $12 million hotel proposal on grounds that it did not meet land use ordinance requirements for inclusion of year-round dwellings.

Parking Waterfront

The Press Herald has a story on the more than 1300 commercial parking spaces on Portland's Waterfront.

Bates Mill No. 5

The Sun Journal reports on the Lewiston City Council's vote to hold off on the demolition of Bates Mill No. 5, and another vote to proceed with a 378-space, $4.96 million parking garage on Lincoln Street.

Portland Waterfront Zoning

The Press Herald reports that some waterfront property owners are seeking to revise Portland's zoning of the waterfront to allow more non-marine uses.

Casino Competition

MPBN reports on competing casino proposals in Oxford and Lewiston.

Tidewater

The Forecaster reports that the Tidewater Farm Regional Learning Center is seeking CDBG funds for the development of a $2 million education facility at the old Tidewater Farm in Falmouth

Mall Expansion Dropped

In the midst of a bankruptcy battle, the Maine Mall owner is abandoning plans to develop an extension of the mall. The Forecaster reports.

Maine Street Biddeford

The Press Herald has a story on the renovation of 256 Main Street in Biddeford.

Brewer Business Park

The Bangor Daily News reports that Brewer has funding to move forward with a new 320 acre business park.

Pike Quarry Hearing in Westbook

The Press Herald reports on the zoning battle over Pike Quarry's expansion plans in Westbrook.

Riverdam Mill Conversion

The Press Herald covers the groundbreaking for The Mill at Saco Falls in the Riverdam Mill complex.

Downtown Bangor

The Bangor Daily News has run its second of a two-part report on downtown Bangor.

Downtown Bangor

The Bangor Daily News has the first of a two-part series on downtown Bangor.

Unconverted

The Press Herald reports that some property owners neighboring the Good Shepherd Sisters convent in Saco, are opposed to the plan for its demolition, subdivision and development into single family homes.

Bangor Urban Renewal

The Bangor Daily News has run the fourth part of a series on urban renewal in Bangor.

Portland Jetport Expansion

The Press Herald reports on the likely expansion of the Portland Jetport.

Big Box Sucession

The Bangor Daily News reports that Lowes is building a new store on the site of an old Wal-Mart.

Armory Appraisal Waiver

The Times Record reports on proposed legislation in the State Senate to waive the requirement that the National Guard Armory in Bath sell for its appraised value. The building is considered a possible site for a new skate park.

Height for Lot

The Times Record reports that the Bath City Council is close to approving BIW's request for a rezoning that would permit an addition to the shipyard's Ultra Hall. In exchange BIW is offering the City a parking lot.

LURC Comprehensive Land Use Plan

The Bangor Daily News reports that LURC will be presenting its latest draft of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan at its Wednesday meeting. The most recent draft can be found here.