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V O L . X X I V N O. X I I J U N E 1 1 , 2 0 1 8 36 S M A L L B U S I N E S S F O C U S for the worse. So how could we mitigate that, change the focus?" Oliver and Fontaine, the real estate broker, rechanneled their opposition into making the project work. ey formed Friends of Belgrade Lakes Village, which has raised $725,000 to pay for brick sidewalks, pedestrian lighting, benches, bike racks and, ideally, a park- ing lot with a comfort station. Donors may sponsor a bench or light pole. e Maine Family Foundation is the biggest contributor, with a $300,000 matching grant, but contributions, large and small, are from residents of the town, surrounding towns and summer residents. e group's next phase is to fi nd a site for the parking lot and comfort station. e state agreed to not start the proj- ect until after Labor Day, and sandwich board signs have gone up in front of businesses in the village urging people to still visit once it begins. Utility work is being done in the meantime. Business owners see the upside — the crumbling, narrow asphalt side- walks are diffi cult to walk on or push a stroller, and the street is too narrow to walk in safely. e project will add 52 on-street parking spaces. On-street parking, which clogs the street in the summer, is now illegal because the road is so narrow. e group has printed pamphlets, available at businesses, outlining the project, its schedule and seeking contri- butions toward the parking lot. Fighting the perception In Hallowell, the Down with the Crown group formed with the goal of keeping the city's downtown open for business through the end of construction. e group has a page on the Hallowell Board of Trade website that lists com- mittees and events for businesses and residents to take part in — more than 50 ongoing or possible events in all, as well as history, informational and market- ing ideas. One of the most visible is the murals that hang on the construction fencing, an eff ort that will continue through the summer. "We had literally over a hundred ideas," Fahy says. "But we can only do what we can do." e board of trade eff ort includes a featured business of the week and also links to the state's project update page on its website. "I think [the eff orts are] having a positive eff ect," Fahy says. "Everything Be one call away from home ownership. Be approved. Be informed. (207) 781-4959 / ApprovedHomeMortgage.com 4 City Center, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine 04101 Approved Home Mortgage N M L S # 9 6 8 6 0 9 » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E

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