Biddeford in talks with developers over mixed-use plan at former incinerator
Photo / Tim Greenway
Jim Brady is part of a development team that's planning to turn part of Biddeford's former waste-to-energy incinerator site into a mixed-use area.
Biddeford has started talks with developers Jim Brady and Brian Eng to turn part of its former waste-to-energy incinerator site into a mixed-use area.
The site, at 3 Lincoln St., was recently proposed as the site of the city’s first parking garage. It was the former home of the Maine Energy Recovery Co. plant, purchased by the city in 2012 for $6.65 million. A parking garage is due to be built there by early 2020.
In an announcement emailed to Mainebiz, the city said the developers will explore options for developing the rest of the site, and how it can “blend seamlessly with a new parking structure” and ongoing development in the Mill District.
“Jim and Brian are experienced developers with a substantial portfolio, both in and outside of Maine,” said Biddeford Mayor Alan M. Casavant in a statement. “They will bring their development capacity and knowledge to bear as they assist the community in the redevelopment of a site critical to the Mill District’s commercial success.”
Casavant added that entering into the new discussion about 3 Lincoln St. “is the next step” in the site’s redevelopment, and that officials look forward to the creativity Brady and Eng will bring to the site and the community.
Brady, who is based in Portland, is also active in Biddeford, where he is in the midst of converting a former courthouse and post office building into office space. Brady was a Mainebiz Next honoree in 2017.
He has said that he likes Biddeford not only because of its vacant mill space and river location, but also because of other factors, including its proximity to the University of New England, transportation and access to Boston and Portland and amenities such as beaches and strong communities nearby.
In Monday’s announcement, Brady said: “We are excited to help the city develop a plan to integrate 3 Lincoln St. into the ongoing downtown renaissance.”
City officials aim to formalize an agreement with Brady and Eng that they say will lead to a refined plan for the site.
The plan is expected to incorporate river vistas, links to the Mill District via the RiverWalk, enhance the site’s potential for transit mixed-use development, implement a smart infrastructure grid and improve broadband connections, according to the city, which promised further details in coming months.
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