Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/851392
W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 19 J U LY 2 4 , 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 " " " " Colors Pantone 2747 Pantone 1807 IT Solutions Designed for Your Business Finding the right IT partner is one of the most important decisions your company can make. At WGTECH, making information technology work for your business is our core competency. We develop individualized solutions that help you grow your business, improve operations, and boost efficiency. We're Northern New England's resource for advanced technology – we'd like to partner with you. www.WGTECH.com 207.856.5300 Control Costs & Increase Productivity Focus: Top 3 issues facing Maine building contractors; tackling development T he Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. of Maine has a mission to develop a more skilled and safe workforce while advocating for the construc- tion industry on matters of public policy. Brad Stout, chairman of ABC Maine, cites the top three policy issues affecting the construction industry: 1. Marijuana legalization: Maine's legalization of the recreational use of marijuana has led to heightened con- cerns about safety on the worksite. "We are continuing to closely monitor the law's implementation process to ensure workplace safety remains at the forefront of the discussions," Stout says. 2. REAL ID: Maine's recent compliance with the federal REAL ID act will streamline construction workers' access to military bases and government sites, Stout says. 3. Question 2: Maine passed its budget at the begin- ning of the month, including a repeal of the 3% tax surcharge on those making $200,000 (as passed by voters in last fall's ballot question). Stout argues that the surcharge would have affected business owners as well, "leaving less money to provide wage increases, safety training, equipment investments and more" and possibly driving companies to New Hampshire, which has no income tax, or other states. Finding the balance in development Maine continues to wrestle with the balance over how much development is the right amount. The Mainebiz focus on real estate construction and design looks at the fi ne line between NIMBY and YIMBY (cover). It's now commonplace for developers to work with neigh- borhood associations even before buying a parcel, just so everyone knows what's being proposed. Even when there's a clear need for housing, some developers are finding the "smart growth" approach takes a more comprehensive look at how a development fi ts in to a given neighborhood or municipality. MAINE'S TOP 5 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY LEASES, RANKED BY SQUARE FOOTAGE 1 MAINE'S TOP 5 ARCHITECTURE FIRMS RANKED BY REVENUE, 2016 1 Leases completed from Jan. 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017, were considered for this list S O U R C E : Each fi rm via survey, press releases and news reports S O U R C E : Each fi rm via survey C O M P I L E D B Y S T E P H A N I E R . M E A G H E R C O M P I L E D B Y S T E P H A N I E R . M E A G H E R Tenant/lessee (business type), address Planned use Lessor Commercial real estate broker(s) 1 FedEx (shipping) One Baker's Way, Biddeford Distribution New Mill Capital Holdings CBRE|The Boulos Cos., Jones Lang LaSalle Square feet: 265,126 2 Village Candle (candle maker) 90 Spencer Drive, Wells Manufacturing, warehouse J&S Trust of Maine NAI|The Dunham Group, CBRE|The Boulos Cos. Square feet: 218,204 3 Wasco Products Inc. (skylight manufacturer ) 85 Spencer Drive, Wells Manufacturing J&S Trust of Maine NAI|The Dunham Group, CBRE|The Boulos Cos. Square feet: 147,456 4 L.L.Bean Inc. (apparel, sporting goods) 12 Lexington St., Lewiston Boot manufacturing VIP Inc. NAI|The Dunham Group Square feet: 106,000 5 CHEP USA (logistics) 7 Washington Ave., Scarborough Warehouse, distribution MacDermott LLC CBRE|The Boulos Cos., Cushman Wakefi eld Square feet: 60,000 265,126 218,204 147,456 106,000 60,000 Firm Employees Licensed architects 1 SMRT Architects and Engineers Portland, www.smrtinc.com Revenue: $21.6 million 102 21 2 Harriman Auburn, harriman.com Revenue: $13.1 million 93 20 3 Oak Point Associates Biddeford, www.oakpoint.com Revenue: $9.7 million 84 14 4 WBRC Architects Engineers Bangor, wbrcae.com Revenue: $9.2 million 50 10 5 PDT Architects Portland, www.pdtarchs.com Revenue: $3.5 million 25 12 $21.6 million $13.1 million $9.7 million $9.2 million $3.5 million S TAR TI NG ON FOLLOWI NG PAGE » T