Steve Landry, MDOT, Augusta: "This is the right type of development for this area...."
The Thompson’s Point Development Co. requested a follow-up meeting with members of the Planning Board this afternoon to update changes to its master plan for the $10 million development of Thompson’s Point on land bordered by the Fore River and the International Jetport in what was called Libbytown. The anticipated “Green Campus” includes a sports center to house the Maine Red Claws, a concert hall, office building, sports medicine facility and parking garage which is expected to be the first building to be built.
A representative of the three managing partners of the development, said early on during his comprehehensive presentation to the planning board that the location of the parking garage has been moved closer to the Transportation Hub at the entrance of the property. This will cause less traffic congestion and make parking more accessible to the other forms of transportation therein. One of the stated goals of the Development Co. is to reduce the single occupancy of automobiles by 20%. Chris Thompson, one of the managing partners in the development told the Board that they live in the area and so it is important to them personally that this traffic plan work efficiently.
Another change in the plan is the implementation of a three lane highway for use in access and egress of vehicles from the facility. The middle lane would be reversible and used as appropriate. Developers stated that this would provide ample access to highways in the area that taking patrons to other than local neighborhoods. Board member David Silk expressed concern that egress from the facility could be a “problem that would spill over into adjoining neighborhoods.” In addition to the 718 parking spaces in the parking garage, there will be space for another 682 surface parking spaces throughout the property. The challenge here is to accommodate the egress needs for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians, said Thomas A. Errico, P.E. of TylinInternational. “They have a lot of work left to do,” he said following the workshop.
Steve Landry, of Maine Department of Transportation, Augusta attended the meeting and said: “This is the right type of development because of all the transportation opportunties here. Some off-site parking may be necessary though,” he said. MDOT must approve the plan.
A walking tour of Thompson’s Point is scheduled for Tuesday, October 11th by the planning board. Participants will meet at Thompson’s Point at 3:30 pm.