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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 23 A P R I L 3 , 2 0 1 7 F O C U S R E A L E S TAT E / C O N S T R U C T I O N / D E S I G N parcels, which total four acres — comprising land and buildings that could be redeveloped between Portland, Parris, Alder and Kennebec streets. e city is in the process of putting them on the market. "e zoning for these properties basically sup- ports mixed-use development," Mitchell says. "ese four acres can dramatically influence the develop- ment direction in West Bayside," changing their prior industrial use of truck and equipment storage and repair, now relocated to Canco Road. "We're removing that influence. It's been holding the area back from realizing its full development potential." e city's goal, he says, is to stimulate private sector investment for 24/7 mixed-use development such as small retail or residential. Other projects include road improvements. e city also in 2016 sold 3.5 acres of abandoned rail corridor along Somerset Street to Federated Cos. for residential/retail development. at project is on hold, says Mitchell. at hasn't stopped progress. "Seven years ago," says Bayside Bowl's Alfond, "the people who lived here had a lot of pride and a vision, but there wasn't a lot of activity and not a lot of businesses moving in. A lot of buildings were used during the day, but at night it was pretty quiet. Now people are looking at West Bayside as an opportunity to grow their business. ere's more activity at night, and it's exciting. People want to be here." Bayside Bowl's expansion, says Alfond, resulted from the place's popularity. at includes frequent league bowling, individual bowlers, private events, and a musical scene that includes everyone from national acts to locals to a special spot every month for high school bands. But popularity called for more space. "We were developing a reputation that people couldn't just come in and play because there were long waits," says Alfond. at kind of excitement exactly fulfills Alfond's vision for West Bayside from the beginning. Growing up in Waterville and Dexter, Alfond is the grandson of Dexter Shoe Co. founder and philanthropist Harold Alfond. He got into bowling thanks to the Dexter bowling shoe. "Growing up, I spent a lot of time in bowl- ing alleys," traveling with his father on company business and landing in local bowling alleys to sell shoes. "So that was in my DNA." In 2004, Alfond, a former Democratic state senator from District 27, moved to Portland and read about Charlie Mitchell — a Maine lawyer and former representative for Vassalboro in the Maine Legislature's House of Representatives. Mitchell was starting a league. Alfond joined the league; the two talked about starting an alley. Looking at downtown property, they found the former Skillful Home Recreation building, its warehouse perfectly sized for 12 lanes. "We talked with the neighborhood associa- tion and area businesses and neighbors," he says. "People were excited. Seven years ago, some parts of Portland were doing quite well and a lot of things were happening. But Bayside was pretty quiet." Laurie Schreiber, Mainebiz staff writer, writes the Real Estate Insider. She can be reached at lschreiber @ mainebiz.biz 100 Silver Street, Portland | 207.613.7400 | www.theurbanekgroup.com All SVN Ofices Independently Owned and Operated. Need to Buy, Sell, or Lease Commercial Property?

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