What Do A Bass Player, Drummer and Trumpet Player Have in Common You Ask?? They Are “Three Guys From Southern Maine” Entertaining Shoppers on Echange Street Today.
A Crowd of Over 30 Enjoyed the First Annual Winter Wassail at the Mt. Joy Community Orchard on Munjoy Hli on February 24, 2024.. (Please Visit Post Herein Dated February 24, 2024 for More on This Event.)
Jonathan Culley, Managing Partner of Redfern Properties, calls his proposal for a 7-story highrise at 165 Washington Avenue – “workforce housing.” That’s because 75% of the luxury units will be market rate – the remaining will be at workforce rate. WHAT’s missing here?
Multiple email requests for clarification on.Culley’s reasoning as to why this building is workforce housing last night went unsatisfactorily responded to by him. Rather it’s just another of Redfern’s high end complexes in Portland mislabeled. A partial list of his similar projects includes Munjoy Heights, the Hiawatha and 89 Anderson Street. His current project is the soaring new highrise in downtown Portland that’s 17 stories high. It’s so new it has yet to have its grand opening. The success of the latter may have emboldened Culley to build more highrise buildings in Portland.
Critics call it misleading. This blogger calls his attempt to pass off this proposal as “workforce housing” a distraction from the real issues that befront Culley – hoping those issues will go away during the city’s planning process. The site is located in a zone where four story buildings only are permitted. The personable Culley seeks a zone change to permit the construction of his 7-story building that would otherwise not be “financially viable” should he have to comply with current zoning. “In other words, Cuilley didn’t know the revenue limitations of building a 4-story building when he purchased the property?” asks this blogger. “Or maybe he knows the city feels his financial pain and will bail him out. And how can this not happen because he has convinced himself, it is WORKFORCE HOUSING after all.”
Additionally, volunteers at the nearby ten year old Mount Joy Community Orchard are fearful that a 7-story building would jeopardize the very existence of the Orchard that was begun by now retired city arborist Jeff Tarling. It has become a major focus of cider related activities every few months. It’s very future is threatened if a 7-story building is permitted by the city because the Orchard would be shrouded in shade rather than the must-needed sunlight – sunlight that this story requires.
Culley, a many year advocate of marginal parking requirements for his projects, is asking for “minimal” parking requirements for his 165 Washington Avenue luxury development. That’s because there are public transportation opportunities available in the area. (How thoughtful of him!) Culley has testified before city officials at city hall meetings seeking relief from parking requirements. . All in an effort to improve his profit line. “Cars are still legal in Portland,” said this blogger. “Portland has not outlawed them yet. But if Culley is allowed to keep building like this, can that day be far off?”
A public meeting will happen in several weeks when a city required meeting will be held on the project.. “I’ll bettcha Culley won’t get there by bus – that is unless he hires his own private bus to get him and the development there from Falmouth where he resides,” said this blogger.
For more background information, please visit post herein dated November 29, 2023.