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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 19 J U LY 2 7 , 2 0 1 5 "You've got really fantastic restau- rants, great high-end art galleries, and we see a need for the hotel to meet their customers' needs," says Lyman. " e galleries are doing well, CMCA could bring a signifi cant amount of visitors to town. ere's a lot of good things hap- pening. Rockland is up and coming and we're hoping to be a part of it. " When the historic Kimball Block Building at 435 Main St. came on the market in 2013, Richard and Jennifer Rockwell were eager to seize on the opportunity to invest in the market in a way that could enhance Rockland's appeal as a destination to live and work. " ere's been such an infl ux of wonderful food and art in the down- town, and it's brought so many diff erent types of people to the area," says Jennifer Rockwell. " at alone, even without any of the development, was enough for us to want to be here and open this market." at infl ux of activity has cre- ated an appetite for fresh, fast food on Main Street, which she hopes her market and cafe can satisfy. " ere really is no shortage of fried food," says Jennifer Rockwell. "But there was a gap in natural, healthy food. So many people wanted it, there was just nowhere to fi nd it." Eventually, the Rockwells plan to convert the top fl oors of the building to apartments. And in a space that is adjacent to the market in the same building, they hope to open a pop- up shop for short-term rentals — say for artisans who want to show their wares, or out-of-town or online busi- nesses that want to test the market. Richard Rockwell also bought and spent nearly $4 million renovating the nearby 449 Main St., which houses offi ce space and 3Crow Restaurant & Bar. He also has an option to buy 429 Main St. Rockwell is working with the city on making improvements to the orndike parking lot, a city- owned lot between the buildings and the harbor. "So much amazing stuff is happening in Rockland right now simultaneously," Jennifer Rockwell says. "We really got in here at the perfect time." As for the Farnsworth, offi cials are eagerly awaiting all the new development. " ey'll be more great reasons for people to come here and visit what's turning into possibly the art capital of Maine," Farnsworth spokesman David Troup says. " ey'll be pouring into town right across the street. And hav- ing a downtown hotel just creates more space for people to come, visit and spend money in the shops, galleries, and gas stations. Everybody benefi ts." Ripple effect is wave of development underway now has also ignited interest from investors in other pockets of the historic downtown, and the Tillson Avenue area, a stretch of warehouses, vacant lots, and city-owned properties between the downtown and the working waterfront. City offi cials are negotiating with investors to bring a retail and offi ce complex to the space on Tillson Avenue formerly occupied by Redlon and Johnson, which had a fi re in June 2014 that damaged the building, Caler- Bell says. e plans could also include a multi-level parking garage on an adjacent city-owned parking lot. e city is also in discussions with investors about developing the Bicknell Building, Beggar's Wharf, 14 Wharf, 8 Lime Street and other smaller properties in the area, says Caler-Bell. Energy Management Inc., the developers of Rumford Power and Cape Wind, are studying the feasibil- ity of building a natural gas-fi red heat and power plant on the property now occupied by Rockland city hall and the public works garage, near the bor- der of omaston and Route 1. If the $160 million project moves forward, it would come online within fi ve years, Caler-Bell says. "A lot of activity is starting to pic k up, and that's drawn some of the bigger high-value investments," says Caler-Bell. " ey see Rockland as an area that's an anchor for industry on the midcoast." J V A , a w r i t e r b a s e d i n Ya r m o u t h , c a n b e r e a c h e d a t @ . MEMBER FDIC Let's Make It Happen. Call Today: 1.888.725.2207 Isn't it your business? grow time to You have the strategy. NORWAY SAVINGS HAS YOUR BACK. 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Everybody benefits. — David Troup, Farnsworth Art Museum