Portland cold-storage plan inches ahead
Courtesy / Maine Port Authority
This architect's rendering shows what Americold Logistics LLC's proposed cold-storage facility would look like on Portland's western waterfront off Commercial Street.
Americold Logistics LLC’s plan to build a cold-storage warehouse in Portland, where Icelandic-owned shipping company Eimskip USA would be the anchor tenant, cleared an important hurdle this week though is not yet a done deal.
On Tuesday, Portland’s Planning Board backed a zoning change that would allow for the construction of a 68-foot-tall refrigerated facility while increasing maximum building heights elsewhere on the western waterfront from 45 feet to 55 feet.
The matter will head next to the City Council, which has scheduled a workshop for Wednesday, Aug. 2. It remains to be seen whether that will be followed by additional workshops before going to a public hearing and a City Council vote.
“I’m just hoping that Portland makes the right decision,” Larus Isfeld, managing director of Eimskip USA, told Mainebiz on Thursday.
“I’ve always been optimistic,” he added.
Americold won the bid to design and build the facility nearly three years ago and pledged to invest up to $30 million, but its plans have been held up by a public debate over building heights and West End neighborhood water views.
A City Council vote is expected in September at the earliest. If it gives the green light, then construction wouldn’t begin until next year.
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments