Back view of Human Services building from Somerset St.
Future Plans for Portland's Brownfield Site
The following summarizes " A New Vision for Bayside", a plan devised by many local citizens to create a new urban gateway for Portland (City of Portland, 2000):
Industrial: (large scale development, sports complex) Bayside's plan doesn't rule out large scale development however it hopes to provide more than one use of the Brownfield site.
Hotel/highway services: (directed to I-295 traveler) From 295 the traveler must go through Bayside to get to places like the Ice Arena, Merrill Auditorium, Portland Public Market. Development would be focused on the corner of Preble St and Marginal Way.
Commercial/Retail/Office: (build up Bayside area uses) Marginal Way acts as the ideal portion of the site for chain restaurants and large retail stores because of its location next to I-295 and surrounding busy streets (Forest Ave, Cumberland Ave, Congress St). The Bayside plan avoids single story stand-along suburban structures, but foresees urban block forms that combined with other uses such as second floor office space. A current example of redevelopment on Marginal Way is the construction of the Department of Human Services building.
Back view of Human Services building from Somerset St.
Light Industrial: (redevelop current Brownfield site uses) Scrap metal operations will continue to operate. Keeping these operations going will complement the multi-use developments. Plant workers will share the benefits of the office workers. Prime examples include sharing public transportation, highway access and parking lots.
Residential: (focus on areas that once were residential) The ideal area for new housing in Bayside is in the Cedar St and Oxford St neighborhoods. Construction has recently begun on the affordable housing complex, Unity Village. The complex will provide 33 units of mixed income housing. Bayside plan would like to minimize negative impacts of area redevelopment on nearby residential neighborhoods along with restoring existing housing in the area. Future residential plans also include street and sidewalk improvements, making the area safer by increasing security, and creating safe and easy trail access to Marginal Way.
Open Space: (Portland Trails network, recreation) Portland Trails network would like to see an extension be built off their current popular walking trail that goes from Commercial Street around to the eastern end of Portland peninsula to extend to Deering Oaks Park and the University of Southern Maine (USM).