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V O L . X X X N O. V I I I A P R I L 1 5 , 2 0 2 4 26 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 A n overlooked stretch of U.S. Route 1 in Saco is attracting new interest from developers, home builders and retailers. e U.S. Route 1 corridor has added chain restaurants like Chipotle and Jersey Mike's. e stretch of the highway around the Saco and Scarborough border has been a hot spot, said Tracey Desjardins, Saco's economic development director. Where there were once vacant lots and fields, Saco has seen develop- ment of apartments and single-fam- ily housing developments, a coffee franchise, storage units, tiny homes, a Hancock Lumber store, housing near Aquaboggan Water Park and more. Several projects are underway, including more housing, a gas station and another coffee franchise. "Route 1 has a little more flexibil- ity," says Desjardins. "at area made the most sense to develop because there is so much underdeveloped property out there … It really shows how involved the developers have been. We have a commercial and residential side, so you are getting a real good fix for that area." Much of what developers were C O U N S E L O R S A T L A W Trust isn't just important – it's everything. That's why industry leaders turn to Rudman Winchell as their unwavering partner. From groundbreaking projects to property transactions, Rudman Winchell proudly embodies Maine's rich heritage. Offering world-class legal expertise tailored to the needs of our local and global clients. Rudman Winchell - your legal partner every step of the way. r u d m a n w i n c h e l l . c o m BANGOR 84 Harlow St. (207) 947.4501 ELLSWORTH 140 High St. (207) 374.5833 F O C U S Saco sees windfall of U.S. Route 1 development Developers are filling in an overlooked stretch of the heavily traveled highway B y A l e x i s W e l l s F I L E P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY Tracey Desjardins, Saco economic development director, has seen a wave of development on U.S. Route 1.

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