FOCUSING ON PRIORITY ISSUES
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Status: A- Not Yet Implemented
B- In Progress
C- Completed
C.1. Continue To Enhance The Riverfront
C.1. Continue To Enhance The Riverfront
Policy
222, 230, and 248 Brownstone Avenue purchased by the Town. Remediation funding received from DECD and remediation contractor engaged. Target date for remediation completion June 2022.
Brownfield Focus Group created and charged with reviewing zoning and visioning redevelopment.
Draft RFP for development partner for 248 Brownstone Avenue completed January 2021.
BOS working with Portland Fair Association to relocate annual Fair to Riverfront Park.
1
Promote redevelopment of the riverfront to create a pedestrian friendly environment with recreational amenities
Town
PZC | PRC
2
Work with private and public partners to promote redevelopment of the riverfront with recreational and limited mixed-uses.
Town
PZC | PRC
Action Item
The town was recently awarded a STEAP grant to help fund a water main upgrade on Brownstone Avenue- to be completed in 2021
We received a DPH grant to help find water in Portland to service all our customers, including those along the riverfront and in the nearby industrial park.
The brownstone quorum, Inc is installing a labyrinth made with custom pavers this summer 2020 at the Riverfront park on Brownstone Avenue. Landscaping will be completed in the spring of 2021.
The town has purchased 5 plus acres of waterfront land on the Connecticut River- 222, 230 and 248 Brownstone Avenue- November 2019. The property is a Brownfield (due to petroleum residuals). The Town was granted $200,000 from the State to investigate and prepare a plan for cleanup of the land (Phase 2 and 3 Environmental Assessment). The property is contiguous to the Town owned Riverfront Park and Brownstone Quarries. This is an area that is visited by over 100,000 people per year, and is a major regional tourist attraction. The town receives approximately $350,000+ annually from the Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park (BEDP).
ADDITIONAL DETAILS.......
During a Public Hearing, and as part of the due diligence of the Title Search for the property 222, 230 and 248 Brownstone Avenue, it was determined that the property includes ownership of an underground oil pipeline. (The phase 2 and 3 reports had previously noted the owner of the pipeline was Buckeye Pipeline.) The pipeline is located on/under another private property (B&B Petroleum), as well as under Brownstone Avenue (Town property), and the former property owner (PortOil,LLC).
The owner/seller is de-commissioned the pipeline. The oil in the pipeline was removed and the pipeline was flushed with water by the seller in September 2018.
Ground Penetrating Radar was conducted. A map of the pipeline’s location was prepared and is on file.
The property owner conducted a nitrogen pressure test in order to test the integrity of the pipeline and determine if any product was released into the ground. Pipeline was found to be intact with no detection of any leaks.
Two public hearings and a town meeting vote was conducted. The Town Meeting vote was yes to purchase the property (Sept. 2019)
The Town signed all paperwork - Nov. 2019.
The State DEEP and DECD are assisting and advising the Town on this project.
The Town is using Tighe and Bond as its Environmental Consultant.
The Brownfields Task Force was established in 2020 and is assisting and advising the Town in its implementation of the clean-up.
The Remedial Action Plan (RAP) will be submitted to the State DEEP in November 2020.
The RAP (once approved) will be put out to bid, awarded, and completed on or about November 2021.
3
Implement actions to promote riverfront redevelopment.
Town
PZC | PRC
B
C.2. Enhance Connections To The Town Center
C.2. Enhance Connections To The Town Center
Policy
1
Maintain and enhance physical links between the Town Center and the Riverfront.
Town
Staff | CSG
2
Continue to link parking areas, public access points, and visitor attractions via an overall network designed to accommodate pedestrians and bicycles.
Town
Staff | CSG
Signage was installed along the bike route in 2019 with the help of DOT along Route 17A and Route 17.
3
Enhance the pedestrian environment through street furniture, fencing, street plant-ings, pedestrian scale lighting, crosswalks, signage, and sidewalk improvements.
Town
PW | DOT | CSG
B
4
Consider turning Silver Street into a cul-de-sac with access only from Main Street in order to simplify and organize traffic circulation in the Riverfront area.
BOS
PZC
Action Item
5
Implement actions to enhance connections to the Town Center.
Town
LU
C.3. Enhance the Riverfront
C.3. Enhance the Riverfront
Policy
There is ongoing work by three Selectmen to find a canoe/kayak launch site on the CT River.
1
Continue efforts to better integrate the riverfront into the overall fabric of the community.
Town
Staff
B
222, 230, and 248 Brownstone Avenue purchased by the Town. Remediation funding received from DECD and Remediation Contractor engaged.
Land swap completed in Wangunk Meadows to ensure road access to Town owned parcels.
We will be looking at possible canoe/kayak launch sites.
2
Continue to acquire riverfront open space as opportunities present themselves.
Town
PRC
B
Wright Farms, a privately held entity, has recently acquired several acres of the Wangunk Meadows.The Town acquired several acres along the River near the Town-owned Nolan Field. The Field Family donated the land to the Town in 2019.
3
Encourage the preservation of land as open space in areas prone to flooding, such as the Wangunk Meadows.
Town
PRC | CC
B
Action Item
4
Implement actions to enhance the riverfront.
Town
Staff