Developer eyes Biddeford for affordable housing project near Rotary Park

If all goes as planned, the city of Biddeford could gain 60 new affordable housing units that would be built near Rotary Park and within walking distance of Biddeford High School. On Tuesday, the Biddeford City Council heard a presentation from Nathan Bateman, vice president of Bateman Partners, about the Forest Green project. The proposal … Continue reading Developer eyes Biddeford for affordable housing project near Rotary Park

A Change Will Do You Good

“So I turned myself to face me But I've never caught a glimpse How the others must see the faker I'm much too fast to take that test” -- David Bowie, Changes (1971) Today – almost 44 years later – I still enjoy telling the story about the first time something that I wrote was … Continue reading A Change Will Do You Good

Developer plans ‘substantial investment’ in downtown Biddeford housing

Bateman Partners, a Portland-based real estate developer, announced Friday that they will soon begin redevelopment of the Summer Street Block, located at the corner of Summer and Alfred streets, near Pizza by Alex. The $4.7 million project will “significantly improve” and update all 32 of the existing elderly and affordable housing units in the Summer … Continue reading Developer plans ‘substantial investment’ in downtown Biddeford housing

World Leader Pretend

The city of Biddeford is now seeking public input about the hiring of a new city manager. You can take a quick, anonymous online survey by clicking this link to share your thoughts about the hiring process. Our current city manager, Jim Bennett, announced his resignation in October. His last day on the job will … Continue reading World Leader Pretend

Is Santa Claus real? Just ask him

He’s known by many names. Some call him Father Christmas; others call him St. Nicholas or Kris Kringle. But here in North America, he is best known as Santa Claus. Just two days before Christmas, Santa made time to sit down with me for an exclusive one-on-one interview. Although well known for his “jolly” disposition, … Continue reading Is Santa Claus real? Just ask him

A Legacy of Service Deserves Nothing Less

Gen. Wallace Nutting was the walking, talking definition of being a local bad ass, but he was also one of the most humble and sincere people I have ever met: a man who led by persuasion -- a man always in search of the potential good in others. Therefore, I think it’s the very least … Continue reading A Legacy of Service Deserves Nothing Less

Parking garage woes continue in Biddeford

More than four years after it was opened, several Biddeford officials remain frustrated about how the city’s parking garage is being operated, saying the garage operators still have no incentive to increase efficiency and lower the city’s financial obligations. Over the past year, the city has paid the garage owners nearly $570,000 in stabilization payments … Continue reading Parking garage woes continue in Biddeford

City commits to paying contractor in-full

The Biddeford City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to find funds in its current budget to fully repay a contractor who led the effort to renovate the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Resource Center. Jim Godbout, a well-known community volunteer and philanthropist, appeared before the council Tuesday to provide an update about the project and its funding. … Continue reading City commits to paying contractor in-full

This is where it ends

Former Biddeford Mayor Donna Dion had a favorite saying that she often repeated throughout her political career, including during her unsuccessful bids to become Maine’s governor. “You can’t have community without unity,” Dion would often say, pointing out that we all have a stake in the game, a moral obligation to work together for the … Continue reading This is where it ends

Saco commission abruptly cancels presentation regarding UNE’s controversial pier proposal

Following a sometimes-awkward conversation, members of Saco’s Coastal Waters Commission abruptly voted 5-1 Tuesday to remove an item from the top of their December 10 meeting agenda. The citizen commission was poised to hear a presentation regarding how the University of New England’s controversial pier proposal might impact the city of Saco. According to James … Continue reading Saco commission abruptly cancels presentation regarding UNE’s controversial pier proposal