Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 27 A P R I L 1 9 , 2 0 2 1 F O C U S R E A L E S TAT E / C O N S T R U C T I O N / E N G I N E E R I N G Laliberte says the project, overall, is "a good fit for the neighborhood." "It brings 24/7 vibrance and density to an underutilized space, currently an abandoned old public works garage and surface parking lot," he says. Levine agrees. He says the attitude toward density, too, has changed as urban areas evolve, and that residential factor is key to sustaining downtowns. "Twenty or 30 years ago, people believed more density downtown meant a lot of challenges, like traffic, congestion," he says. Now the belief is that it brings people to live in an area, who will walk, bike or take the bus to work and local businesses. Not only do people need housing, but the city needs people living in its core, he says. "People love quirky shops," Levine says, but for cities to be sustainable in the age of online commerce, there has to be people nearby to shop at them. "People need to be there, you need more people living there." e growing vibe in West Bayside isn't just limited to the public works properties development, Watson says. Bayside Bowl, owned by Charlie Mitchell and Justin Alfond, was the pioneer. "ey were the first, and they've done a fabulous job," Watson says. Fork Food Labs, Leavitt & Sons Deli and Northland Enterprise's redevelop- ment of the former Century Tire into a retail center have all played a part. He says the other residential devel- opments on the former public works property — Szanton Co.'s 51-unit Furman Block and Jack Soley's 23-condo Parris Terraces — are also great addi- tions to the neighborhood. "I think 52 Hanover is going to be a great complement to the others," he says. e time has come, he adds. "West Bayside deserves it. It deserves to have people living here, the energy. It ought to be a 24/7 neighborhood." Maureen Milliken, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at mmilliken @ mainebiz.biz H U M I L I T Y L E A R N I N G S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y D I V E R S I T Y C O L L A B O R A T I O N A H E A L T H Y E C O S Y S T E M O F D E S I G N The Ecology School (207) 827-4456 • (800) 648-4202 Old Town • Yarmouth www.sewall.com Consultants in: Engineering | Survey | Energy | Geospatial Solutions | Natural Resources A strong and trusted partner. For 140 years, we've known that perseverance, ingenuity, and taking responsibility for doing things well the first time are the keys to lasting success. As industry pioneers, we are ready to help you improve your communities, your inf rastructure, and our environment. Brett Hart, PE Expert in solar and wind energy site design and permitting • Solar and wind energy site design • Environmental permitting • Stormwater management • Pavement management • Transportation/traffic engineering • Surveying/3D scanning The best thing to happen was the decision to develop it in small pieces. — Jeff Levine Urban planning expert

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