Mainebiz

V O L . X X I N O. X V I J U LY 2 7 , 2 0 1 5 18 F O C U S "With this new growth comes not only excitement and a renewed inter- est in the city of Rockland, but it also produces economic benefi ts to all busi- nesses as more and more people decide to move here because of these new developments," says Eliot Lowe, presi- dent of Lowe Hardware, which builds custom interior hardware for residen- tial, commercial and marine use. " at in turn increases local spending," Lowe adds. "Even though our facility isn't located downtown, we still feel very much a part of this exciting new energy." Lowe, founded in 1982, last year doubled the size of its facility, adding space for manufacturing, offi ces and a product showroom. "We are fortunate that our current customers continue to give us more work," Lowe says, "and that our customer base is continuing to grow steadily. Growth coincidence, yet 'symbiotic' ough these projects are being driven by each organization's individual needs and aspirations for growth, the inves- tors hope and expect their collective eff orts to benefi t one another. "It's a coincidence," that all these projects are coming online at the same time, says Jacob Dowling, owner of the Dowling Walsh Gallery, "but it's symbiotic." e building planned behind his gallery will be used to manage, trans- port, facilitate and store collections for institutions and private collectors — a need Dowling has seen growing for about fi ve years. ere would also be the potential to provide a staging area for work awaiting installation. "It's going to facilitate the institu- tions and the people who are at the core of this economic shift" in Rockland, he says. "It's going to allow them to work better and more effi ciently." For the Center for Maine Contem- porary Art, the new building in Rock- land will off er nearly twice as much gallery space, plus the fl exibility to house installations of any size. At the current site in Rockport, at 162 Russell St., the center has a shortage of gallery space, plus it's divided between two fl oors, says Director Suzette McAvoy. Perhaps the biggest benefi t of CMCA's new site will be location — and the opportunity to attract people who are visiting the other sites on Main Street. By moving to the heart of downtown, the CMCA will be within walking distance of the Farnsworth, Dowling Walsh Gallery, Lyman's new hotel and the Maine State Ferry Terminal. It can be a part of Art in Rockland's First Friday events. e facility is designed by award-winning New York-based architect Toshiko Mori and it will feature a 2,200-square-foot courtyard that opens directly on to the street. "Just having foot traffi c, will make a huge diff erence," McAvoy says. e new site in Rockland is expected to have 35,000 visitors within the fi rst year of opening — nearly quadruple the 9,000 visitors that annually visit the Rockport site. McAvoy sees the new site as comple- menting the Farnsworth, e Strand eatre and the commercial galleries. " e real nexus of the art scene has moved defi nitively to Rockland," she says. "With our new facility being located right nearby, it really provides this third leg of the stool to really anchor downtown and help create more of a year-round destination." Lyman is expecting the new hotel to provide needed accommodations to tourists and people who do busi- ness in the area year round. e hotel will be managed by the owners of e Migis Lodge on Sebago Lake, who also manage e Black Point Inn in Scarborough. » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E 20% OFF! Subscribe today for only $37.95 Get engaged, inspired and connected with a print + digital subscription to Mainebiz. You'll receive bi-weekly issues, special publications and full online access! Know Maine Business. Order online at mainebiz.biz/knowmainebiz Or call 845-267-3008 and provide the discount code HM15KMB P H O T O / DAV E C L O U G H Suzette McAvoy, director of the Center for Maine Contemporary Art, anticipates a four-fold increase in visitors when its new site in downtown Rockland opens next summer.

• Cover