Portland seeks feedback on potential sale of city-owned properties
Portland City Council’s Economic Development Committee will meet on Jan. 31 to receive public comment on the possible sale of two city-owned properties, the Thames Street surface parking lot and the former Department of Public Works property in West Bayside.
Portland Economic Development Director Greg Mitchell will give a presentation on both properties prior to the public hearing. The committee also will hear an update on two street projects related to the West Bayside properties: the extension of Somerset Street from Elm to Hanover and the realignment of Kennebec Street to Forest Avenue.
“I’m looking forward to hearing feedback from the public related to the disposition of these properties that will clearly have a positive impact on our local economy,” Councilor David Brenerman, chairman of the Economic Development Committee, said in a release. “While we’ve had years of conversations related to moving the Department of Public Works out of West Bayside, it’s good to provide one more opportunity for comment prior to CBRE/The Boulos Company marketing the property. As for the Thames Street lot, we’ll be looking for feedback prior to issuing a request for proposals to sell the property as its use as a parking lot is not the highest and best in today’s economy.”
CBRE/The Boulos Company in February will start marketing the former Department of Public Works properties in West Bayside for sale for highest and best use under existing zoning with no other city conditions.
The committee also discussed at its Jan. 3 meeting the Thames Street surface parking lot, which is currently used to support the parking needs of police, public works, Sail Maine, Ripple Effect, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Ready Seafood, Bay Ferries and seasonal cruise ships. The staff recommendation to the committee is for the city to issue an RFP to sell this property in exchange for stimulating private parking investment and to secure the required public street right of way to connect Thames Street to Fore Street.
Tuesday’s meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
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