Ethan Boxer-Macomber of Adams Apple LLC & Peter J. Sherr, P.E. of Ransom Consulting, Inc. at First Meeting on the Clean-up of Brownfields at 65 Munjoy Street.

Developers of 65 Munjoy Street, Peter Bass and Ehan Macombe.r (Bass Lives on Waterville Street on Munjoy Hill.) Both he and his Wife, Liln Lisberger, are Volunteers on City Boards

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,725)

A second meeting on plans to clean-up the Brownfields at 65 Munjoy Street on Munjoy Hill has been scheduled for Monday, September 26, 2016 at 6:30 pm. The location of the meeting is at the Portland Housing Authority, 18 Baxter Boulevard, Portland.

Peter Bass and Ethan Boxer-Macomber, d/ b/a Adams Apple LLC  plan  to build an eight unit condominium building at 65 Munjoy Street on the Hill.  In the recent past it has been used as a parking lot for neighbors during snow storm bans.  It was supposed to have been part of the original development of a condominium complex by Avesta Housing on the site of the former and adjacent Mirada F. Adams School.  The original development was downsized due to the recession  and the resulting lack of funding available – leaving this plot of land undeveloped.  Prior to the property’s use as a public school it was an industrial site, including a lead paint factory. Remediation of the property is required before construction on the property can start. The developers have received a grant to make this possible.

Because it was determined that notice of the first meeting last week was inadequate, this second meeting has been scheduled with the hope that  neighbors and interested parties will learn of the meeting.  This second meeting is part of the developers’ phony, baloney  plan to engage neighbors in the process of the development of 65 Munjoy Hill. .

Earlier this year, a group of  nearby homeowners filed a lawsuit against the developer because of the poor design of the proposed building.  The suit was settled out of court in early July.  In exchange for the withdrawal of the lawsuit, Adams Apple LLC made numerous concessions to upgrade and improve the  design of the  building. That settlement has allowed the process to continue.  It was never the intention of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit to stop the development from going forward, they wanted the design to be improved and reach a higher standard – that is evident in the immediate neighborhood.  .

Bass, d/b/a Random Orbit, has been criticized for the contemporary design of Lafayette Lofts, a condominium complex at 33 Lafayette Street.  Some neighbors say the design is not compatible with the neighborhood. on Munjoy Hill.  Local Evan Carroll is the architect in both projects.

Bass and his wife, Lin Lisberger, are volunteers on several boards in the City of Portland.  Favoritism? ( Lisberer is the chair of the Portland Public Arts Committee.) Naaah!  The City of Portland doesn’t operate like that !