In early February of 2020, I wrote an article stating that “While several sectors may see a slight uptick in va- cancy rates, the leasing market should remain competitive... through year end 2020.” Several months later, the world found itself in the midst of a pandemic and my forecast was wrong. No one could have predicted the global health crisis that would follow for the next 1 1⁄2 years. However, even during the complete shutdown, there remained demand for commercial real
estate in the Southern Maine market; it just depended on the type of use. In the spring of 2020, Federal Express executed a long-term lease for their 34,000 s/f distribution facility in Portland. Without distribution, people staying at home wouldn’t receive packages. Manufacturing facilities required commercial space for pro- duction. Those grocery and full-ser- vice retailers that remained open, still needed a physical structure to house and sell their product. Hospitals, pharmacies, banks, post offices, and many other types of uses, all needed a commercial footprint even during the pandemic.
to read the full article, please go to the attached.