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Thursday, June 14, 2001
Council action bolsters city's image change By C. KALIMAH REDD, Portland Press Herald Writer Copyright © 2001 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. | ||
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WESTBROOK — The mere thought gives Ann Peoples goose bumps. You can hear the excitement in her voice when she talks about it. Those reactions from Peoples are triggered by Westbrook's determination to change its image from a smelly mill town to a high-tech center. "It's just something so monumental that you might get a chance to be a part of just once in your life," said Peoples, a former city councilor. "It's that important." This week, the City Council continued to move toward change. Councilors, meeting as the finance committee, voted 5-1 to recommend adoption of a special downtown tax district. The so-called tax-increment financing plan would include an estimated tax break of $6 million for the developer of a $16 million, 125,000-square-foot office building. Under the TIF, developer Tim Flannery would get a property-tax refund of about $300,000 a year for 20 years. The finance committee also recommended allotting 275 of the 500-600 spaces at a soon-to-be-built parking garage to tenants of the office building. In a long memo leading to this week's vote, Administrative Assistant Jim Bennett explained that the city needs to encourage new development to offset a decline in tax revenue from the Sappi paper mill, formerly known as S.D. Warren. "As the mill announced its decision to cease the pulping operation," the memo says, "the leadership in the community strove to capture the opportunities at hand and minimize the immediate impact." The key to success, Bennett said, is revitalizing the downtown district. To accomplish that goal, the city plans to provide redundant power and Internet access, capabilities that would attract high-tech firms looking for a continual source of power. In addition, the city's multimillion-dollar riverfront plan is expected to create a natural outdoor amenity desired by many businesses. Flannery, who had successfully redeveloped the Dana Warp Mill, would add a major element with his proposed office building. The building expects to bring 300 to 400 new jobs to the area. Many feel the foot-traffic created by such a large core of people would entice retail business to settle in the area. The formula has many business owners and groups excited about the future of Westbrook. "It is very rare thing that happens when a town gets to totally reinvent itself and we are in the process of doing that," said Ray Richardson, a member of the Westbrook Community Affairs Committee. "We can become great attraction of high-paying industry." Jack Eaton, president of Workgroup Technology Partners, agreed. He said redundant power and Internet access are vital to his business. "I think it's the smartest thing they could possibly do," said Eaton, whose company has grown from three employees to 39 over the past four years. "If I can't provide that service to my customers, then I would have to go," he said. Councilor Paul LeConte, who cast the one dissenting vote during Monday night's meeting, said he supports the project but has some concerns. Among them, he said, is the long-term impact of a 20-year tax break on future administrations. LeConte also expressed concern about a changing economy that has downsized large portions of its high-tech industry. Flannery responded that the building would attract diverse businesses that value redundant energy. Bruce Chaluda, president of the Westbrook Chamber of Commerce, said it is impossible to predict the survival of any business so a good mix of companies makes sense. "Hopefully," he said, "we will ensure in some way, shape or form that whoever does come in here will survive for more than a short period of time and thrive as well." Staff Writer C. Kalimah Redd can be contacted at 791-6335 or at: kredd@pressherald.com |
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