April 2020: Rethinking Commercial Strip Development to Strengthen Your Community

November Smart Growth Forum

Topsham Public Library

Towns and small cities in Maine face numerous challenges in redeveloping their commercial strips in an attractive, thoughtful, inclusive, and economically beneficial way. This forum will explore lessons from experiences in various communities relevant to participants, sharing different perspectives (board, developer, planner), and emphasizing how to maximize the potential for success. Join us to learn how towns can improve the appearance and functionality of their commercial corridors to bring in new residents, employees and activity.

Presenters

• Randall Arendt – Landscape planner, site designer, author of Rural By Design: Planning for Town and Country, lecturer, and an advocate of “conservation planning”.
  • Case Studies:
    • 109 Main Street, Gorham
    • Bath Waterfront Park
    • Bowdoin Mill Island
    • Downeast Credit Union
    • Greenwood Trades Bldg
    • Larrabee Farm
    • Rusty’s Market
  • Other resources from Randall Arendt’s website
• Ethan Boxer-Macomber – Planner and Owner/Operator at Anew Development
  • Powerpoint presentation pdf
• Karen Farber – Former Falmouth Town Councillor