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Gardiner’s Waterfront Ribbon Cutting Oct. 12th
U.S. Senator Collins to Provide Keynote at Event
Gardiner, ME, October 8, 2010— To celebrate the near completion of this phase of Gardiner’s waterfront project, the City has planned a ribbon cutting event for Tuesday, October 12th, at 1 PM. The public is invited to attend the event, which will be held rain or shine at a tent on the waterfront.
To help celebrate, the City of Gardiner is pleased to announce that U.S. Senator Susan Collins will be our keynote speaker for the event.~ Senator Collins was instrumental helping Gardiner obtain federal funding for the current phase of the waterfront and has also been a big supporter of many other economic development projects in the community.
“This investment in Gardiner’s waterfront is a perfect example of smart, sustainable economic development – one that will pay dividends for years to come,” said Senator Susan Collins. “I am pleased to have assisted the City of Gardiner in this effort by securing federal funding for this project.”
Many improvements have been made as part of the current phase of the waterfront project. The new waterfront park now hosts a boardwalk which runs over 750 feet long alongside the scenic Kennebec River. Other features include expanded greenspace and parking areas for visitors. New lighting will enhance the park as well as an impressive new sculpture being installed by talented local artist, Rob Lash. As part of the project, a natural skating rink area has also been built into greenspace area near the center of the park. The waterfront will still feature its popular boat launch facility, finger docks, and connect to a nature trail just beyond the kayak launch. All of this can be found right in downtown Gardiner!
Including Phase I of the project, the City has raised over $1.7 Million in grant funding to date. Funding partners include Maine Department of Economic Development, the Gardiner Rotary Club, MaineDOT, Land for Maine’s Future program, the Robinson Trust, Maine Department of Conservation, Maine DEP, U.S. Department of Interior, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The current phase includes over $850,000 in State and Federal grant funding and took nearly four years to raise. Local match is provided by in-kind services where necessary, such as the Public Works department, and downtown tax increment finance district revenues. Other than funding, there has been tremendous support from various volunteer City committees, such as the Waterfront Task Force.
In addition to public funding partnership support, the City has had significant private funding support from the Savings Bank of Maine and their $1 Million contribution announced last year. This contribution has been applied to enhance various locations in the park, including the Maine Ave/Depot Square gateway entrance, pump station/visitor’s center, Floodtide terrace, and Water Street gateway entrance.
“The City is proud to recognize all of our partners and pleased to have the Honorable Senator Collins as our keynote speaker for the event,” said Mayor Andrew MacLean. “It’s exciting to see the project wrapping up this Fall and we look forward to opening the expanded waterfront for boaters and visitors next season.”
The public is encouraged to see the new waterfront park and join us for the event. Refreshments will be available. For more information, please contact Planning Director Jason Simcock at 207-582-6888, or email to econdev@gardinermaine.com.
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