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V O L . X X V N O. X X S E P T E M B E R 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 6 B U S I N E S S M A I N E Business news from around the state B U I L D I N G O N OUR PROMISE. An alternative approach to expanding a historic Maine hospital. Our design-build team developed an innovative hybrid Butler pre-engineered building system to make this modern, 50,000 sf hospital addition a reality. W W W . S H E R I D A N C O R P . C O M G O O D A L L H O S P I T A L Sanford, Maine Iconic Bar Harbor barn part of land trust deal B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r B a r H a r b o r — Maine Coast Heritage Trust has entered into a contract to buy a large Bar Harbor property locally known as the Stone Barn Farm. The deal, for $625,000, includes the namesake stone barn, a carriage house and farmhouse on 128 acres in a rural area on the outskirts of the town. The property, owned for years by Harry and Cindy Owen, is near the intersection of Crooked Road and Norway Drive and adjacent to Northeast Creek. Cindy Owen died in 2018. "In a quiet way, this has been a local resource for many years," Maine Coast Heritage Trust President Tim Glidden told Mainebiz. The trust plans to raise at least $2.25 million to cover the purchase price and significant expenses associated with long-term maintenance of the struc- tures and anticipated programs for the public. Maine Coast Heritage Trust has a larger campaign to raise $125 million as part of a plan to acquire more land for public access, educational use and conservation. The public phase of the campaign was launched in August 2018, after the Topsham-based nonprofit secured $90 million in gifts of land, cash and pledges through the quiet phase, as well as a $10 million matching gift. Maine Coast Heritage Trust, founded in 1970, has conserved more than 150,000 acres and created more than 100 public preserves open to the public. A farm with a long history Glidden said that, among the Owens' activities at the farm, the couple harvested hay for cattle that were kept by the Rockefeller family across the road. They ran a truck gardening operation at the house, grow- ing produce for restaurants on Mount Desert Island and beyond. They also maintained trails and mowed paths and allowed visitors to walk through the meadows and woods. "Harry is very gregarious and he made friends with everyone," Glidden said. "So folks would get to know him and they loved walking on the farm." The farmhouse and barn are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. "He had long wanted this place to be conserved," Glidden said. "About 10 years ago, we purchased a conservation easement on the property. That was ideal for that point in his life. Now he wants to plan for the long-term future and he decided he'd like to have the property taken care of by Maine Coast Heritage Trust." The arrangement with Owen allows for an inspec- tion period to assess the structures and land, which will inform maintenance cost estimates. "I've always felt I was put on earth to protect this land," Owen said in a press release announcing the agreement. "Finding a way to do this has been on my mind for many years." In 2001, the owners worked with Maine Coast Heritage Trust to place a conservation easement on the property. With the decision to sell the property to the trust, it ensures continued public access. The property includes approximately 2 miles of hik- ing trails and more than a mile of shore frontage on Northeast Creek and Fresh Meadow, and offers expan- sive views of nearby farms. The landscape includes grassy meadows, woods, blueberry bushes and a small farm pond. The property is suited for uses like walking, birding, cross country skiing and ice skating. Potential activities could include agricultural program- ming such as community gardens. Maine Coast Heritage Trust will work with local partners and community members to identify best uses of the property, Misha Mytar, the land project manager, said in the release. B R I E F In a quiet way, this has been a local resource for many years. — Tim Glidden Maine Coast Heritage Trust P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F R I C H K N O X Maine Coast Heritage Trust has entered into a contract to buy a large Bar Harbor property locally known as the Stone Barn Farm.

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