Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 19 F E B R UA R Y 5 , 2 0 2 4 F O C U S C O M M E R C I A L D E V E L O P M E N T sewer infrastructure and on infill. ere's been conversion of office space into res- idential and some conversion or demo- lition and new-build of single-family homes into multi-family. Many developers are local or regional and/or smaller-scale. In the downtown, an uptick in businesses owning their own properties has meant less commercial leasing and more ownership-investment. A deeper dive Ellsworth's business attraction plan identifies commercial and housing development among the city's top prior- ities. It's expected a housing needs study will be completed by August. e plan looks to expand financ- ing incentives and other development- friendly policies. "We know this is something that needs to be worked on," says Richards, whose office will work with the city's code enforcement and planning offices to look at how the city can better facilitate the permitting of large and small projects. e city hosted conversations about eight years ago with local developers and contractors to discuss issues around the permitting process. "We want to touch back in with them and continue to have those con- versations," says Richards. "We know we need to do a deeper dive." An actionable plan will likely take one to three years. Bates agrees the city could do more to facilitate development and cites what he says was a four-year permitting process since he bought the High Street parcel. "It's become harder and harder to get any project at scale done," he says. Concrete market Still, others see plenty of opportu- nity. Hughes Brothers Inc., a con- crete and earthwork contracting busi- ness in Hampden, recently completed phase-one construction of a ready- mix concrete manufacturing plant at 22 McMullin Way in Ellsworth, to expand concrete production supplied to Greater Bangor by its Hampden plant, to the Greater Ellsworth mar- ket. At capacity, the Ellsworth plant will produce over 120 cubic yards per hour, says Larry Langille, the compa- ny's president. 207-282-1748 smfamaine.org C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » P H O T O / F R E D F I E L D Larry Langille, presi- dent of concrete and earthwork contractor Hughes Brothers Inc., says increased demand and not enough supply drove the company's construction of a new cement-making plant in Ellsworth. It looks to me like Ellsworth and the coastal areas have been growing significantly. C O M M E R C I A L D E V E L O P M E N T, I M P ROV E M E N T S A N D H A P P E N I N G S I N ELLSWORTH INCLUDE: 72-unit residential development, 377 High St., Stone Park Properties / Tinker Farm Way, 54 condominium units, Wright Buzz LLC / Northern Light Pharmacy Drive-Thru at Ellsworth Shopping Center / Commercial buildings, Coastal Maine General Contracting / Investments in existing businesses and renovations of commercial space to accommodate new businesses, including Harbor Freight, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, Hannaford, satellite office locations, medical office space and Reny's / Solar and electrical substation work / Concrete plant, Hughes Brothers / Arbor Camp, short-term rental treehouses/cabins / Village Way: Phase 1 approved by planning board for seven single- family homes and 5 duplexes for 17 units overall. Phase II, in review, for 14 additional single-family homes BRING US YOUR VISION sebagotechnics.com • south portland • 100% employee-owned O F F I C E S I N — S O U T H P O R T L A N D B R I D G T O N S A N F O R D B A T H When you engage our creative engineering collective, you'll immediately value how our innovation, collaboration, and expertise create solutions for your success. 100% EMPLOYEE OWNED

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