By Carol McCracken

The City has announced a series of three public meetings whose purpose is to receive input from residents and dispense information surrounding the controversial repair and redevelopment of the Maine State Pier.

The first of the meetings is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 14 Ocean Gateway Pier. at the bottom of the Hill. It’s theme is – Building On The Past. The agenda will be to review the history, planning efforts and current policies that affect waterfront and physical conditions.

The second of the meetings is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25th. Same times and place as above. The meeting will address the regional economic and marine industry. Experts will participate in a panel discujssion of the marine economy and the role the Maine State Pier has to play.

“On the following evening,” the third meeting will focus on understanding the local needs and uses for the Maine State Pier. It will include a panel discussion of local business and civic leaders. Both panel discussions will include questions from the public.

As part of the series of meetings, several additional meetings have been scheduled for April 2009. One a “design workshop” for the public and the other with the city council.

These public meetings are being held largely at the insistence of two city councilors; Kevin Donoghue and David Marshall. They’ve lobbied for more public participation in the development process of future plans for the Maine State Pier. These meetings come following the withdrawals of the only two developers to respond to the city’s RFP – Olympia Cos. and Ocean Properties.

For more information, please call Bill Needleman in the planning office at the city hall.

More to come….Taking A Coffee Break!