City council looks at goals for Camden Street as Walmart move approaches
Rockland — Rockland City Council will consider resolves at the Monday, Feb. 11, meeting aimed at establishing objectives for Camden Street redevelopment.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m.
The council will consider adopting a series of "value statements" proposed by the Economic Development Advisory Committee, which has been looking at goals for Camden Street. How will it be re-developed after the Walmart in Rockland closes and relocates to the new superstore being built on Route 1 in Thomaston?
The values include access to the harbor for recreation, economic and cultural identity; celebrating historic character; and embracing the hometown qualities of life including city-wide neighborliness and a small-town feel.
"We appreciate the availability of comprehensive goods and services including commercial, retail, recreational, educational, religious and cultural," the resolve document states.
Also mentioned are public service, volunteerism, beauty, natural resources and diversity.
"We desire enhanced walkability, bicycling and transit in order to promote personal health, safety, enjoyment and convenience," it states.
Specific goals include:
- Diluting highway focus without diminishing capacity by building a civilized street that enriches the experience of all users of the corridor, including pedestrians, vehicles, bicycles and transit.
- Reinforce mixed use, including residential, commercial and recreational uses.
- Enhance all networks including wildlife, storm water, transit, and pedestrian linkages, etc.
- Changing the perception of the area
- Creating economic opportunities for redevelopment
- Planning for the long term
The resolve is sponsored by City Manager James Smith.
The Rockland Economic Development Committee has been working with Friends of Midcoast Maine and local residents developing a community plan for the Camden Street strip.
Included in the study to be developed will be ways to improve car, bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Part of the scope would be increase of real estate values and reformation of Camden Street as a gateway to the downtown, a benefit to the adjacent neighborhoods, and the city as a whole.
City councilors met with members of the committee during the agenda-setting meeting Feb. 4.
Meanwhile, plans are continuing for the new Walmart Superstore in Thomaston.
The February Thomaston newsletter provided the following update:
"The project continues toward the goal of substantial completion set for Aug. 24. Followed by the fixture set completion on Sept. 6 with the final stocking, the grand opening is set for Oct. 16, 2013.
"...Currently the 2-foot by 1 1⁄2-foot perimeter footings are being installed in preparation for precast walls to be installed. This will be followed by steel beams and the roof scheduled for mid-March completion by Pike Construction."
Courier Publications Editor Daniel Dunkle can be reached at ddunkle@courierpublicationsllc.com or 594-4401.
Will Clayton forwarded this email he sent to Dale to us here at the paper:
My experience with city government committees has proven true to the fact that most members have an agenda for being on such committee. When I went to a meeting concerning Walgreen's building in the City, I thought the organizers really cared about what was best for all. Turned out I was wrong and these folks have no use for you unless you see it their way. I tried another couple of committees but they are not for me. I find that many times personalities are placed above perspectives and that's what has made Camden Street the mess it is today. Being on the Council takes much time and a thick skin. It's a thankless job and I'd like to believe that most are worthy of the job. If you can't be part of the solution then be part of the problem. Keep writing Dale and don't worry about grammar.
I need to brush up on my computer skills, proofreading skills, spell check skills and probably others. But in this computer world and as I gain age I find myself perhaps being careless/overly cautious in my typing and proofreading. I have always been a good speller and do not blame it on the computer, the dog did not them. I do have a college education and then some, but, as one member of the Camden School Board put it; " If your writing skills are so poor, I am amazed that the school continued to employ you". Well ,fortunately, for me, I guess, the school departments do not give substitute teachers writing tests, nor do they insist that every student can write cursive or print, even their names, with legible correctness, another story I suppose. I make that connection only to find even the Mayor Rockland is not perfect with his grammatical endeavors for which I find could be for the same reason I have aforementioned and will hereafter try to improve. Even in my recent posting to this comment opportunity, so gracefully available, I find myself, as hard as it is to believe making these life altering errors repeatedly. For that I must continue to feel inadequate to properly create an image of the issues that are being discussed inasmuch as the focal point appears to be hidden behind a huge snowbank on Funk and Wagnalls porch. All, that being said I welcome any comments be they harsh, frightful, misspelled, or in the minds of our great leaders of our educational system(s), wish we were all perfect. Thank you again, Dale Hayward
I am a positive, upbeat, optimistic person with a "CAN DO" attitude. What I CANNOT DO is pay any more taxes. It could mean having to sell my house of over forty years. If nobody speaks out nothing will change. Focus needs to be on drastically cutting our upcoming budget; as Steve Carroll mentioned at the last council meeting. Talk about "negativity bringing down a group"; what about those of us who have lived here all our lives and would like to continue?
I do not know what happened that made my prior post so long, I guess the post expected me to provide more information as I was on a roll and could do so. When I type I type faster than I should and I sometimes, as you will see make mistakes, whether they are in spelling, punctuation, or just sloppy. I went back but was unsuccessful in being able to proofread. So please put your emphasis on the point of the article. Thanks.
more double talk.
Sorry the last comment was by me, Mayor Clayton. I truly look forward to hearing all concerns and potential answers brought forward by those who have posted on this article.
Sorry the last comment was by me, Mayor Clayton. I truly look forward to hearing all concerns and potential answers brought forward by those who have posted on this article.
How about some positivity? How about being part of the solution that can bring a major enhancement to this city? All I have seen on here is the negativity that brings down a group working towards prosperity. I ask you to bring forth any negative or positive comments to us Monday night at Council meeting, 7pm. I look forward to seeing you both there.
Good points Mr. Ecker, Mr. Hayward and Mrs. Wass.
Moved out of Rockland when my taxes doubled in two years and I never looked back,too bad the CC isn't working to benefit all it's citizens.
Let's see, Goodwill is a major retail outlet, they pay no property taxes (they are non profit). Why should my tax dollars go toward "enhancing" Home Depot, Staples, Shaw's and all the rest. They need to take responsibility in advertising and promotion. Another city council said there was not enough room, maybe so, but it is wally's choice to move and not the Rockland City Council to try and repair the damage. That space will be rented, too good of a commerical location and not a political one. City Councils are like cats, covering their tracks after doing their duty. Maybe this city needs an "UPTOWN BUSINESS GROUP" SO THEY CAN GET GRANT MONEY TO PUT A NEW FACADE ON SOME BUILDINGS OR TO REPAVE THE SIDEWALKS EVERY YEAR.
Well, Rockland did have it's chance to have a Super Walmart. They said "No". Wondering if these ideas for "Enhancing" Camden Street will cost the taxpayers and how much? Just seems like a waste of time and money at this point.