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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 21 JA N UA R Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 7 A U G U S TA / WAT E R V I L L E Gardiner's work is far from over. Next up are the renovation of fi ve downtown buildings donated by Camden National Bank and $4.3 million in refurbishments at the Johnson Hall Center for Performing Arts. A growing dining and drinking scene Back upriver in Hallowell, City Manager Nate Rudy also has a lot on his plate. Before taking the job last June he led an arts-focused community development non-profi t group in Waterville and was Gardiner's director of community and economic development for three and a half years before that. Rudy notes that Hallowell has an "organic" approach to historic preservation, going back several decades when urban renewal and a highway construc- tion plan threatened to raze the entire downtown. e townsfolk didn't let that happen, leading to the creation of the Hallowell Historic District in 1970. Today, he says Hallowell continues to value pres- ervation as other towns catch up. "A lot of the communities around us, Gardiner in particular, are very focused on their growth and develop- ment goals and have used the Main Street program to a very good eff ect," he says. "We're starting to feel compe- tition from Gardiner and a little bit from Augusta." Among Hallowell's main selling points is its growing dining and drinking scene, though parking can be a problem. New venues are opening up all the time, like Buddy's Diner across from City Hall last summer. " ere's a lot more to being a business owner than anticipated," admits Lawrence "Buddy" Iaciofano, a former sous-chef at e Liberal Cup Public House & Brewery nearby. "But there is a lot of camaraderie among small business owners." In 2018, the entire half-mile length of Water Street will be dug up and rebuilt in a $5.4 million revamp — of which $585,000 will come from the city — that will see pavements and sidewalks replaced along with the drainage system. It won't be a complete makeover but "it's going to really change, in a sudden and palpable way, the feel of the downtown," Rudy says. " e com- munity has gone to great lengths to make sure that the change will be minimal, but it will still be felt." At the other end of the spectrum is the planned redevelopment of the 54-acre Stevens Commons cam- pus that will see the former Industrial School for Girls converted into a mixed-use property with restaurants, offi ces, shops and aff ordable senior housing. Developer Matt Morrill, owner and president of Mastaway Development LLC and owner of Grand View Log & Timber Frames Co. in Winthrop, says he's in talks with three other private developers and insists he won't be dissuaded by a "very small minority of detractors" raising questions about the use of public money for the project, which will be the biggest he has ever worked on and "one of the most exciting." Chris Vallee, a Hallowell real estate agent who opened the Quarry Tap Room along the river two years ago, says Stevens Commons will be "noth- ing but positive for the city." As the new president of the Hallowell Area Board of Trade, he aims to improve connections this year between Hallowell, Gardiner and Augusta via a bike-share program and water taxi. "We're all connected by road and rail trail, so this could benefi t all of us," he says. Tourism is another area with huge potential for the region, and Gardiner architect-turned-innkeeper Shawn Dolley is getting ready. Dolley, who runs e Stone Turret bed and breakfast in a 1905 Christian Science Church, says he's looking to add three rooms for a total of eight in coming years and possibly more common areas, a gym and a rooftop deck with a hot tub. "Now 85% of my market is visiting family," he says, "but the big push will be to try to open up other markets to the tourism Gardiner has to off er." at includes festivals, kayaking and architectural tours. R C , a cor respondent f or Mainebiz, c a n b e r e a c h e d a t @ . P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY Get engaged, inspired and connected with a print + digital subscription to Mainebiz. You'll receive bi-weekly issues, special publications and full online access! 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WWW.PARKNJETPORTLAND.COM 747-5650 Drive 100 yards past baggage claim. Look for our green sign. Open 4:00AM to 1AM or until all flights have arrived. per day $12 PARK PERKS OIL CHANGE • CAR WASH • DETAILING WITH P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY Nate Rudy, Hallowell city manager, says an organic approach to historic preservation has helped maintain the downtown's appeal. He's pictured on Water Street. F O C U S

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