CARIBOU, Maine

Planning staff reported on July 10 that the city has made several project-level moves related to brownfields, downtown buildings and housing strategy.

Staff said the EPA emergency removal action at the steam plant site is complete and that all petroleum contamination at the diesel plant site has been removed by a contractor identified as GAFTECH. The city will issue a request for proposals for demolition of the diesel plant and expects interest from firms for demolition and redevelopment of the larger starch/steam plant site. The starch plant is under contract and staff said a closing could occur within a month.

Using MBRC grant funds, the city purchased the old railroad station on Water Street (closing July 3). The recreation department has begun basic cleanup at the station and the riverfront committee plans to hold its next meeting in that space as the city explores possible riverfront anchors and events.

Staff also said the city issued an RFP for a housing study funded by a Housing Opportunity Program grant; proposals are due in August and the council will award the contract in August. Separately, the city issued an RFP for a Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund project to address contaminated soils at the Birds Eye site and completed a mandatory site walkthrough.

On tax-acquired and blighted properties, staff described an experiment to accept a deed in lieu of foreclosure for a Herschel Street building with roof failure so the city can pursue demolition without the limits that foreclosure law imposes. The planning board's anti-blight and anti-nuisance ordinances have been forwarded to the council for public hearings in July.

Ending note: Staff requested the board's guidance where applicable and said more RFPs and engineering work will follow as the city addresses demolition design, environmental cleanup and housing planning.