Improvements sought for South Portland's working waterfront
A visioning process is underway for improvements to South Portland’s public pier, used by commercial fishermen and the general public.
At a meeting hosted by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, fishermen told Assistant City Manager Joshua Reny their main concerns focused on parking and protection from northeasterly winds, The Forecaster reported.
Sam Merrill of the engineering firm GEI Consultants of Portland said expansion of the 19th century pier should be considered. Fifteen slips are leased to lobster and tuna fishermen from April to November.
GEI is looking at potential designs focused on rehabilitation or expansion, and including additions such as a wave screen to protect the pier from northeasterly storms. Some fishermen said the focus should be on creating parking, both on the pier for slip holders, and off it, in an adjoining lot, the Forecaster reported.
In September, the city received a $30,000 matching grant from the Department of Marine Resources Maine Coastal Program to develop a plan to expand the pier, to support the aquaculture and fishing industries and provide for maintenance of existing infrastructure, The Working Waterfront reported at the time.
“It’s supposed to be generating a certain amount revenue each year used to pay for maintenance and other ongoing expenses,” Reny told the newspaper, adding: “It’s anticipated that aquaculture will continue to grow and that access to piers and dockage will continue to be a challenge.”
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