Penobscot
Landing
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Brewer Councilors Get Progress Report on Waterfront Plan BREWER — City councilors heard a report Tuesday night on progress being made in the effort to boost investment in Brewer’s waterfront redevelopment zone. The city’s plans for Penobscot Landing call for a variety of attractions, including an entertainment district and public market, facilities for boaters, an outdoor amphitheater and recreational trails, among other things. During their presentation for city officials, Richard Stoltz of MBIA Bartram & Cochran of Hartford, Conn., and Michael Lawry of The Parrish Group of Philadelphia described some of the waterfront project’s early successes and outlined some promising leads. MBIA led the consortium of consultants hired to help create a master plan for redeveloping the city’s waterfront. The firm was hired last year to take the plan into the marketing and implementation phase. According to Stoltz, the waterfront marketing effort has had a “phenomenal first year,” with projects that include the Muddy Rudder restaurant’s purchase of the former Harborside Restaurant and the Allen/Freeman/McDonnell Agency’s purchase and restoration of a historic former bank as some of the major accomplishments. The consultants and Economic Development Director Drew Sachs now are working on projects that could lead to a children’s garden, a marina and a hotel, to name a few. Others who have expressed interest in Penobscot Landing include the operators of a national theme bar chain, a night club, a comedy club, specialty ice cream and coffee business and a sandwich company. Lawry, who has been concentrating on waterfront infrastructure needs, said progress is being made on a children’s garden, a river center showcasing the history and ecology of the Penobscot River, an amphitheater and a public market. While some of those projects are long term, Lawry said the children’s garden is being developed in conjunction with a well-known partner and will offer a range of year-round activities. The project has seen much local interest and local businesses are already coming forward with offers to help. Lawry also noted that the city has found a potential private sponsor for the amphitheater, which would be located at the current public works garage site. The city is in the process of moving public works to the Green Point Road. Officials also heard an update on the National Folk Festival from representatives of the city of Bangor and the Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau, which showed a 4½-minute video of some of the highlights of last year’s festival, held in East Lansing, Mich. The festival, which will take place in Bangor for the next three years, will make its debut in Bangor in late August. The three-day event is expected to draw thousands to Bangor’s waterfront and downtown areas.
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The
City of Brewer