Brewer commits to 10% cost share for MDOT BUILD grant application for Village Partnership Initiative

The Brewer City Council voted unanimously on Jan. 13, 2026, to authorize the City Manager to submit a letter of support to the Maine Department of Transportation for a USDOT BUILD grant application covering the Center Street Village Partnership Initiative (VPI).

Order 2026‑A004 authorizes the City Manager to commit the city to a 10% cost share for design and construction if the BUILD application is successful; staff estimated the city’s share at about $1.2 million. The order also authorizes the City Manager to sign necessary agreements with MDOT and directs the Finance Director to include a capital line item in the Fiscal Year 2027 and/or 2028 CIP budgets to fund the commitment.

Mayor Jenn M. Morin raised concerns about whether a letter of support would lock in project specifics. City Engineer Jeremy Caron responded that a letter acknowledging the city’s commitment would not lock in final design details and that modifications and negotiations remain possible as the design and grant processes proceed. The Council asked questions about scope and timing; city staff provided clarifications and the motion passed unanimously.

If funded, the VPI work would cover areas including Center Street, Wilson Street, North Main Street and Holyoke Street and aims to improve pedestrian safety and connections to the Brewer Riverwalk. The order records MDOT’s recommendation to submit the project for a BUILD grant and ties the local cost share to the capital budget process for upcoming fiscal years.