Gardiner Announces Waterfront Groundbreaking August 6th
Gardiner, ME, July 29, 2009 —Visitors to Gardiner’s Kennebec River Waterfront Project will soon notice some exciting changes happening at the park! Phase II of the project begins with a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, August 6th at 1 PM. The ceremony will be held under a tent at the center of the waterfront park and feature Maine Department of Economic Development (DECD) Commissioner John Richardson as the keynote speaker. The City will also recognize its many funding partners, including the Savings Bank of Maine and other agencies. The public is encouraged to join the event and celebrate the beginning of this exciting phase of the project!
Construction for the waterfront project will kick off this August and includes improvements to the Maine Avenue/Depot Square gateway entrance. The Savings Bank of Maine is funding improvements to Depot Square as part of the overall waterfront project. Other future Bank funded waterfront improvements include a new information center, Water Street park gateway entrance, and two pedestrian plaza locations including “Big Hook Pass” and “Floodtide Terrace.”
While the project officially begins in Depot Square, the City is wrapping up the bid document phase for much of the remaining project. Public bids will be advertised in August, with notice going out via newspaper and city website. Once the construction contract is awarded by the City, work can begin as early as September. Work will include extension of the boardwalk, and installation of new lighting, greenspace and parking areas.
Much effort has gone into the final design process since the Bank announced its $1 Million contribution for the project earlier this year. A team representing both the City and the Bank have incorporated design ideas and elements that will result in a world class waterfront park right in downtown Gardiner. Sebago Technics is handling the engineering for the City while Gates, Leighton and Associates, Inc has been handling consulting for the Bank.
Recently, the Bank and the City agreed to a license agreement which authorizes the Bank to work in specific city right of way areas (such as Depot Square) to make improvements. Other “enhancement areas” will have their own license agreements. Each agreement provides the legal framework and understanding on how bank funding will be utilized at each location.
“The City is excited about kicking off the next phase of the waterfront project, and recognizing all of our partners,” says City Mayor Andrew MacLean. “The project will have such a positive impact on the community and region for many years to come.”
For a copy of the full press release, please click here or give Jason Simcock a call at 582-6888.
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