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.
Falmouth places size limit on Route 1 businesses
November 27, 2012 in Articles
Author: Matt ByrnePublication: Portland Press Herald
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.
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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.
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.
Home building surges to 4-year high
October 17, 2012 in Articles
Author: Chris IsidorePublication: CNN Money
NEW YORK-- The housing recovery blossomed in September, as the pace of home building surged to a four-year high, according to a government report issued Wednesday.
Builders started work at an annual pace of 872,000 homes last month, up 15% from the pace in August. They also filed for permits to build homes at an annual rate of 894,000, up 11.6% from the previous month. Both readings were the best since the summer of 2008, before the meltdown in financial markets that caused home lending and building to freeze up.
But mortgage rates are now near record lows, and the Federal Reserve's decision to buy $40 billion in mortgages every month is likely to keep rates low for the foreseeable future. The low mortgage rates, coupled with affordable housing prices and a drop in unemployment have helped to restart home sales.
Builders started work at an annual pace of 872,000 homes last month, up 15% from the pace in August. They also filed for permits to build homes at an annual rate of 894,000, up 11.6% from the previous month. Both readings were the best since the summer of 2008, before the meltdown in financial markets that caused home lending and building to freeze up.
But mortgage rates are now near record lows, and the Federal Reserve's decision to buy $40 billion in mortgages every month is likely to keep rates low for the foreseeable future. The low mortgage rates, coupled with affordable housing prices and a drop in unemployment have helped to restart home sales.