Mainebiz

V I E W P O I N T S W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 3 F E B R UA R Y 7 , 2 0 2 2 A s the recent MEREDA outlook conference showed us, going into 2022 real estate is very much part of the storyline for Maine's overall eco- nomic health. Home buyers are still eagerly snapping up every available house, not to mention multifamily properties. After two years of closures and curbside shopping, retailers are again leasing storefronts. e cannabis trade has snapped up much of the light industrial and warehouse space. Changes in regula- tions in Portland are propelling investors into other cities and towns. ere's full coverage of the MEREDA conference in "Real estate's bull market," on Page 28. On a related note, on the retail side, retail and restaurant franchises are again snapping up existing property as well as "pad" locations. As Renee Cordes reports, chains like Planet Fitness, Great Clips and Aroma Joe's are scouting out new locations and investing in Maine. See "Feeding frenzy," which starts on Page 22. And yet as real estate deals and new develop- ments continue to surge in Maine, there's been a lot of talk about waterfront real estate and how it should be used. e Island Institute estimated that, of Maine's more than 5,000 miles of coastline, just over 20 miles remain as working waterfront, for use by commercial fishermen, boat builders and marine operations. As Jessica Hall reports, two major par- cels in Portland have recently changed hands, with pledges to maintain the existing working water- front. All eyes have turned to Rockland, where a major section of waterfront is up for sale, and there's no clear agreement on what it should become. See "e 'last 20 miles'" on Page 18. e Pepperell Mill deal tops our list of notable commercial property sales in Maine, on Page 38. Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz From the Editor bernsteinshur.com Be valued. BE SHUR. We're lawyers in the business of your success. Featured @ Mainebiz.biz For a daily digest of Maine's top business news, sign up for the Mainebiz Daily Report at mainebiz.biz/enews Get Maine's business news daily at mainebiz.biz and on Twitter (@Mainebiz). Below is our most popular content for the period from Jan. 17–31. 1. Belfast tops list for Maine's hottest home sales 2. Residential construction permits in Portland down 82% since Green New Deal 3. Droves more Mainers are saying 'I quit,' new data show 4. Warehouse retailer Costco hopes to open first Maine store in Scarborough 5. New Maine destinations for dining, eco-friendly recreation make national headlines 6. Two deals illustrate customer's devotion to Portland bakery 7. Equity from apartment refinancing provides capital to buy turnkey Portland inn 8. SoPo's mojo: Retail development takes off in South Portland 9. After 22 years, a Maine leader in affordable housing is set to retire 10. Top Gun names 24 Maine startups for 2022 accelerator program C O U R T E S Y / B E L FA S T A R E A C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E 1 Developments 'pushing the envelope' and some boundaries Even as real estate deals and new developments continue to surge in Maine, there's been a lot of talk about the future of the working waterfront.

• Cover