Maritime Village Event is Milestone for Mid Coast

August 02, 2006
By: Greg Foster
Lincoln County News

Gala groundbreaking ceremonies heralded the start Thursday of the multi-million dollar Point East Maritime Village in Wiscasset, the largest scale development the town has witnessed since Maine Yankee days.

"The Point East Maritime Village will rejuvenate this region, beautify the Sheepscot riverfront, and return Wiscasset to its maritime heritage," said Gov. John Baldacci, who participated in the celebration.

The premier waterfront community will feature 80 custom cottages and 160 waterside condominiums, the Hinckley Company's 239-slip marina, exclusive retail shops, gourmet markets, high end galleries, fine dining establishments and fitness center connected to miles pristine hiking trails along the river shores, the largest network this side of Bar Harbor.

The full service marina will be complemented with a new 9000 square foot retro-fit and yacht repair facility. In addition, Hinckley anticipates building over 100,000 square feet of heated indoor boat storage at its sister property in the nearby I-Park Technology Part, also a Point East enterprise on former Maine Yankee land.

A wide range of types of people have expressed an interest in the living arrangements at the village, including people who desire a second home that eventually could be a retirement home as well as retirees who seek the enjoyment of coastal living, according Poe Cilley, director of sales and marketing.

"This development will provide good jobs and boost the local economy through the construction of the site and the businesses and families it will bring," Baldacci said. 'The synergy of these new businesses and jobs will become the economic engine that helps generate additional growth and thoughtful development in the midcoast region."

Baldacci spoke of the significance of the project for the whole state, thanks to his Pine Tree Zone initiative, which he said helped attract the Hinckley Company to the Maritime Village and to level the playing field.

Town Manager Andrew Gilmore hailed the event a "new chapter in our economic history."

"It's a class act, a classic time. We couldn't be happier," he said.

What has been an eyesore from the Edgecomb side of the river will have a new face as part of the groundbreaking activity that is about to occur, according to Joe Cotter, President and CEO of National RE/sources, which launched the project.

Cotter told the gathering of state and local officials that removal of piping and tower is part of the work that will begin along with the construction onsite of a Kaiser model home to show prospective residents.

"We think we have put in a solid foundation for the future," he said.

Cotter thanked the people for the support the company has received in the two-year process in reaching this point in the project. "We have had the support of almost the entire community," he said.

So far the village has about 38 families or couples on a waiting list for the custom built cottages that will have Maine products available on display in the model home from partners in the enterprise. There will be rugs from the Sheepscot Emporium Oriental Carpets of Wiscasset operated by resident David Brown, a kitchen from The Kennebec Company of Bath and furniture from Thomas Moser cabinetmakers of Maine.

Brown said that he is anxious to display as many of his collection as he can in the model home. His rugs will be available to new residents, either ones on display in the home or others that he has in stock at his Water Street business.

"These are the tangible beginnings," Cotter said. "I want to stress we're just beginning."

Other speakers for the special event included Lynn Ward, National RE/sources Vice President, who publicly thanked the citizens of Maine and the staff of various state and federal agencies for helping to make the company's plans a reality.

"I salute you personally," she said. "You have done more than your jobs."

Speaking about the rich history represented at the Mason Station site, Ward mentioned how important the power station was during World War II to make sure there was sufficient power for Bath Iron Works vital role.

State Rep. Peter Rines (D-Wiscasset) shared a personal experience with Mason Station when his father, who was a company employee, took him inside the plant.

"It has been a team effort," he said. "We look forward to a new future here."