February 4, 2016—Nearly a decade ago, the Maine State Pier was the center of a battle royal between two redevelopment proposals from well-known politicians and real estate developers that divided the city of Portland.
Despite months of debate, neither project – each estimated to cost $90 million – moved forward.
Since then, the city has entertained smaller proposals to use portions of the Portland Ocean Terminal, the long, blue shed on the pier that is adorned with painted whales and was once a city transit shed. But the last two projects proposed for the property have imploded.
Now the City Council is kicking off a community conversation about the future of the pier and the terminal building, trying to generate revenue from an asset that has failed to move forward. The city’s Economic Development Committee has set a Feb. 11 date to get the process underway.
“It’s not just about the Portland Ocean Terminal building,” said City Manager Jon Jennings. “For me, it’s a very exciting opportunity for us. What we’re talking about today will have a huge impact years from now.”