PORTLAND — The Planning Board took its first look Tuesday at a proposed housing and retail complex that would transform the Portland skyline.
A rendering of the proposed Maritime Landing development, which would include a mix of housing, parking and retail space on the site of former rail and scrap yards along Somerset Street in Portland's Bayside neighborhood.
It also discussed plans to renovate a downtown building for use as a charter school.
Tuesday's workshop did not require the board to take any action on the proposed Maritime Landing complex, which call for building seven towers, up to 12 stories tall, on 3.24 acres of city-owned property along Somerset Street in the Bayside neighborhood.
Portland planners show cautious support for massive Bayside project
November 29, 2012 in Articles
Author: William HallPublication: The Portland Forecaster
Falmouth places size limit on Route 1 businesses
November 27, 2012 in Articles
Author: Matt ByrnePublication: Portland Press Herald
FALMOUTH — The Falmouth Town Council has voted unanimously to limit the size of new stores to 50,000 square feet on a one-mile stretch of Route 1.
An aerial view of the Falmouth business district along Route 1. A new zoning law limits the size of ground-floor businesses in the retail zone between Bucknam Road and Route 88, which is currently home to a Walmart, a Shaw's supermarket, and a massive shopping complex that is dotted by vacancies.
The step is the first in a series of efforts to reinvigorate the business district, repave the highway and add streetscape and landscaping elements designed to attract pedestrian traffic.
The zoning law applies to ground-floor businesses in the retail zone between Bucknam Road and Route 88, which is currently home to a Walmart, a Shaw's supermarket, and a massive shopping complex that is dotted by vacancies.
An aerial view of the Falmouth business district along Route 1. A new zoning law limits the size of ground-floor businesses in the retail zone between Bucknam Road and Route 88, which is currently home to a Walmart, a Shaw's supermarket, and a massive shopping complex that is dotted by vacancies.
The step is the first in a series of efforts to reinvigorate the business district, repave the highway and add streetscape and landscaping elements designed to attract pedestrian traffic.
The zoning law applies to ground-floor businesses in the retail zone between Bucknam Road and Route 88, which is currently home to a Walmart, a Shaw's supermarket, and a massive shopping complex that is dotted by vacancies.
US home sales rise 2.1% in October
November 19, 2012 in Articles
Author: Christopher S. RugaberPublication: The Associated Press- Portland Press Herald
In another positive sign, applications for mortgage loans to buy homes jumped 11 percent in the week ended Nov. 9.
WASHINGTON — U.S. sales of previously occupied homes rose solidly in October, helped by improvement in the job market and record-low mortgage rates. The increase along with a jump in homebuilder confidence this month suggests the housing market continues to recover.
Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages fell to fresh record lows this week, a trend that has helped the housing market start to recover this year. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says that the average rate on the 30-year loan dipped to 3.34 percent, the lowest on records dating back to 1971. That's down from 3.40 percent last week and the previous record low of 3.36 percent reached last month.
WASHINGTON — U.S. sales of previously occupied homes rose solidly in October, helped by improvement in the job market and record-low mortgage rates. The increase along with a jump in homebuilder confidence this month suggests the housing market continues to recover.
Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages fell to fresh record lows this week, a trend that has helped the housing market start to recover this year. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says that the average rate on the 30-year loan dipped to 3.34 percent, the lowest on records dating back to 1971. That's down from 3.40 percent last week and the previous record low of 3.36 percent reached last month.
Proposed commercial developments in Portland show market optimisim
November 5, 2012 in Articles
Author: Matthew CardentePublication: New England Real Estate Journal
Southern Maine’s commercial real estate market continues to show signs of improvement in the 3rd Quarter of 2012. One key indicator is the amount and recent activity from developers in Portland.
In June, the city of Portland’s Planning Board gave final approval for the redevelopment of Thompson's Point. Located off on I-295, Thompson’s Point has been a run down industrial site for many years and has been viewed as an “eye sore” by many. The $105 million project will include an events center for the Maine Red Claws, a hotel, a parking garage, and up to 300,000 s/f of office, medical office, and restaurant space. Last month, the U.S. Commerce Department through the Obama Ad- ministration, granted the Thompson Point project $1.5 million towards its redevelopment. Construction is planned to commence upon securing leases for approximately 80,000 s/f of the commercial space. This project is estimated to create 455 jobs in Portland.
Read the PDFIn June, the city of Portland’s Planning Board gave final approval for the redevelopment of Thompson's Point. Located off on I-295, Thompson’s Point has been a run down industrial site for many years and has been viewed as an “eye sore” by many. The $105 million project will include an events center for the Maine Red Claws, a hotel, a parking garage, and up to 300,000 s/f of office, medical office, and restaurant space. Last month, the U.S. Commerce Department through the Obama Ad- ministration, granted the Thompson Point project $1.5 million towards its redevelopment. Construction is planned to commence upon securing leases for approximately 80,000 s/f of the commercial space. This project is estimated to create 455 jobs in Portland.
Home prices rise for fifth month in a row
October 30, 2012 in Articles
Author: CNN MoneyPublication: CNN Money
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The housing market picked up more momentum in August, as the average home price for 20 major cities jumped 0.9%, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index
The increase marked the fifth consecutive month of gains for the index with all but one city, Seattle, recording month-over-month price increases.
"The sustained good news in home prices over the past five months makes us optimistic for continued recovery in the housing market," said David Blitzer, spokesman for S&P.
The increase marked the fifth consecutive month of gains for the index with all but one city, Seattle, recording month-over-month price increases.
"The sustained good news in home prices over the past five months makes us optimistic for continued recovery in the housing market," said David Blitzer, spokesman for S&P.