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V O L . X X X I N O. X X V N OV E M B E R 3 , 2 0 2 5 10 B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S N E W S F RO M A RO U N D T H E S TAT E Federally Insured by NCUA EMPOWERING MEMBERS STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES BEST OF THE 207 2024 SILVER CREDIT UNION HELPING MEMBERS UNLOCK THEIR FINANCIAL POTENTIAL SINCE 1921. FIND A BRANCH NEAR YOU AT EMPEOPLE.COM/LOCATIONS (207) 839-2744 / info@greatfallsinc.com 20 Mechanic Street, Gorham See what we've been working on at greatfallsinc.com CONSTRUCTING WITH A PURPOSE SINCE 1988 P O L I T I C S & C O. At Jetport, parking is a challenge — but so is parking expansion B y T i n a F i s c h e r A long-debated proposal to build a temporary parking lot at Portland International Jetport was rejected by the City Council on Oct. 20, halting a project that had met with organized resistance from local residents for close to two years. The proposal called for paving and expanding an existing gravel parking lot known as the Toye lot, which is adjacent to the Embassy Suites Hilton hotel on Westbrook Street, to gain 265 spots. The lot would have been a temporary solution until a new garage could be built. The development parcel included wetlands and woodlands, which abut the Stroudwater neighborhood. The city purchased 4.5 acres in 2021 for $4.5 million to accommodate additional parking. Shortage of parking Parking has been an ongoing issue at Maine's largest airport, which has had to employ a range of surface lots to accommodate the overflow from existing garages. The plan had been to add an additional garage to augment the 2,000-plus existing parking spaces. The estimated cost of the build, which would have come from Jetport's unrestricted funds, was $9.3 million. Residents of the Stroudwater neighborhood have been objecting to the project since it was first proposed, citing damage to wetlands, expected runoff into the Fore River and increased noise, exacerbated by the demolition of a woodland buffer. The Stroudwater Neighborhood Association sued the city in February to appeal the Portland Planning Board's January approval of the project. Opponents of the expansion did not dispute the need for more parking, but wanted to see more sustainable options to an additional surface lot, including shuttle services. They also argued that the project does not align with local land use ordinances, long-term city planning objectives or the Jetport's master plan. Mayor Mark Dion was one of two council members who supported the pro- posal, calling the airport an "important regional instrument for our economy." Ben Grant, an at-large City Council member, said that while he understood the benefit of the project for travelers who drive long distances to the airport, he had to reject the proposal to prioritize his Portland constituents. Wesley Pelletier, who represents District 2, was one of six City Council mem- bers to vote against the project. "This doesn't work well for our residents," Pelletier said. "There's a better and more sustainable way to do this." Council member Sarah Michniewicz, who represents District 1, added: "Expanding surface parking lots, adding another urban heat island, is not what we want to do." F I L E P H O T O / J I M N E U G E R Portland City Council rejected a proposal that would have added parking at the Portland International Jetport.

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