Chair of the Harbor Commission, Thomas ‘Dobbins, This Afternoon.
Paul Pottle, Director of Projects, Formerly With MaineDot, Augusta. (The Group Photo with Kevin J. Trainor, PE and David J. Melo, Jr., PE, of Stantec, Could Not be Used Because of “Issues!”)
Construction plans for Phase 11 of the expansion proposal for the Commercial Street Ferry were presented by a development team led by Paul Pottle, Director of Projects for Casco Bay Lines, this afternoon. To date, the proposal has been handled internally by the city’s planning department.
It is hoped that construction on the project will begin next summer. The bulk of the work will be done on the extension of the pier. No city funds will be used in this project. Funding will come from the federal and state governments.
According to the application for marine construction filed by Kevin J. Trainor, PE, of Woodard & Curran, the plan includes: a pier expansion of 2,780 sq. ft., repair of piles, replacement of deteriorated piles and repair of pile caps, filling of voids behind the sea wall, and a 5,800 sq. foot vertical expansion of the existing ferry terminal building to be used for office space.
Additionally, Spring Point Marina, in South Portland, also applied for a permit for marine construction at the same meeting. Lauren Swett, P.E., Technical Manager for Woodard & Curran presented the application to the Commission . The proposed project consists of the construction of a new concrete floating dock, to be anchored by guide piles and 8 internal finger pier connected to the outermost dock of the existing marine facility. The proposed project will also include 23 new power pedestals that will serve up to 46 vessels on the new docks, providing shore power, potable water service and lighting. The project is estimated to cost about $1.6 million.
Mike Soucy, Operations Manager for the ESOP Marina, said there has been a 200% increase in transient boats needing docking recently and this is the reason for the permit application. When Soucy was asked by the Commission, when he would like to start, he answered: “As soon as possible!”
A decision on both projects will be made by the Commission at its November 8th public hearing.
(I’ll get back to this tomorrow. Apologies for the delay.)