- Traffic schedule amendments (More bus pickups)
- Waterfront access (Pier parks)
- Traffic schedule amendments (More public parking/vertical garages)
- Public drinking water/restrooms
- Utilization of piers
While I believe public restrooms and drinking water would be beneficial to Old Port (I don’t believe they are necessary in less-touristy neighborhoods), I think retooling traffic assignments and increasing pleasurable waterfront access are more important to the City of Portland. Looking at these changes in terms of excitement factor (because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t get giddy about traffic schedule amendments) I would argue that utilization of the piers by the development of public recreation areas (similar to a park, but with outdoor exercise equipment, physical challenges, etc), private housing (similar to the condos already present on the piers), and restaurants/entertainment venues (similar to DiMillos) would have the most direct impact on the city, specifically the Old Port. I am imagining transforming one, or preferably several, of the run-down, seemingly abandoned piers into a greenspace intended to allow access to the waterfront, provide pleasurable public space for visitors and citizens, and enhance the value of surrounding buildings. This project has already been tested in small scale in Portland at Moontide Park, beside the new Ocean Gateway Pier near Hancock and Thames Streets. I experienced this park this summer at the Shipyard Half-Marathon after-party, where there was a concert, beer garden, and other great activities in the pleasant greenspace. A second, larger scale example is Race Street Pier in Philadephia, PA. (http://www.visitphilly.com/museums-attractions/philadelphia/race-street-pier/)
Doesn’t that look like an inviting greenspace?! Now, imagine adding outdoor exercise equipment, in an effort similar to one from Ben Butterworth Parkway in my hometown of Moline, Illinois. Check out: http://www.genesishealth.com/healthinfo/healthbeat/ , the hospital system sponsoring the exercise program in my town.
Upon investigating the City Council’s minutes, I have found nothing discussing the development of the seemingly abandoned piers we walked through on our field trip. I did find an interesting change to the Traffic Schedule that amended a “Bus Zone” and “No Parking” zone to a “Two Hour Metered Parking” and “Bus Zone”.¹ I suppose that translates into additional parking spots for the city, but there was probably a reason the no parking zone was necessary (reasons aren’t mentioned in the document). Not surprisingly, the motion was passed unanimously, as most of the topics in the City Council meeting are.² (It seems the only divisive topics are protection of existing parks and the school system. Perhaps the development of new parks may also be highly contested?)
In the beginning of Against the Smart City, Greenfield directly states that the way “city dwellers collectively understand, approach and use the environment around us” is rapidly changing.³ Why don’t we embrace this sentiment and advocate for the redevelopment of the piers? Even though there have been issues in the past with new condos on the water, we now know the allure and value of those properties. Following the examples of Race Street Pier, Moon Tide park, and Ben Butterworth Parkway, we know the project is feasible. Next, we should investigate the legal, financial, and governmental blockades. Ultimately, I believe it is worthwhile to investigate the development of the piers as public greenspaces, as well as food, entertainment, and housing options.
¹http://me-portland.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/647?fileID=2766
²http://portlandmaine.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/06162014-438
³Greenfield, Adam. 2013. Selections from Against the Smart City. 1.3 edition. Do projects.
I found your ideas of waterfront and pier revitalization the most interesting and beneficial to the city of Portland. Although the Portland waterfront is somewhat important to the city, it is by no means that heart and the city is not taking full advantage of its waterfront location. Pier parks and better utilization of the already existing piers seem like smart ideas to me and you have demonstrated how they have been successful in other cities as well as Portland. I do not feel qualified to critique your waterfront suggestions any further because I have honestly not been any closer the waterfront than Commercial Street and have not even set foot on a pier. And because I think there are many other Bowdoin students and perhaps even Portland residents who could say the same (I could easily be an outlier though as well) demonstrates how there are some issues with the waterfront that certainly need to be addressed.
When I began to think about infrastructural change in Portland, I never even thought about revitalizing the piers and making them more relevant to what the public needs. I think the idea of converting a pier into some kind of greenspace is very interesting and reminds me of the way in which New York City has converted an old above-ground train line into the Highline, a 1-mile line park/walkway with views of the Hudson River and downtown NYC. The only thing I would worry about is accessibility in different seasons; I do not think an outdoor park on a pier would be very beneficial to Portland during the winter, and if we are thinking of ways in which we can create smart infrastructure, I think we have to keep in mind seasonal issues. Since the Old Port neighborhood is mostly populated by tourists, I do not think that additional waterfront green space would be beneficial during the winter months since there is less of a draw for tourists in the winter (since it is quite frigid, after all).
Piers for life, preach.
I am also completely ignorant here, but it sounds like an obviously good area for development. It is good enough and seemingly obvious enough that I think we need to find out more about why repurposing piers has not occurred – or has it? I’m just so ignorant I can’t even say anything useful here…
Great idea and as you mentioned, more accessible piers would sound attractive a fair amount of people. One issue that I think is worthy to think about here is rmoussap’s point about seasonality in her comment. Not only would seasonality’s strong effect on Portland, Maine decrease draw for tourists in the winter, it is also a strong influencer on the number of people in Portland at any given time, hence, the number of people that might actually utilize a new pier place. The other issue that I want to raise, and which you briefly mention at the end of your blog, is the legal and economic obstacles to implementing this project. First of all, I do not think the current run down piers are government-owned, so making them public spaces would not seem feasible (Portland’s government is unlikely to outbid any commercial and real estate developers). And from this article, http://www.pressherald.com/2013/05/11/vacancies-plague-waterfront_2013-05-11/, there seems to be more economic and lack-of demand barriers to developing the piers as well.
Awesome idea! ….piers are always super cool and bring a lot of dynamic movement and interaction. It is very interesting that piers do not come up in the city counsel notes. It would seem like a very logic idea to address in a city that has such prime waterfront real estate. However, I wonder if it has something to do with the extreme seasons that Portland experiences? Does it make sense economically to spend money on something that will probably not be used from almost half of the year?
Indeed. Everything about this idea is cool. If you are thinking waterfronts still–when were you not, though? :)–do talk to Emma who is focusing her senior research on this topic, and beginning on that in this class. You may be able to divide and conquer on some maps that could create different but overlapping recommendations. Rachel may also find her way to the waterfront if she decides to address disaster relief. I applaud your focus. Regardless of your next step, your thinking has been solid and innovative.
As for making the pier useful the other half of the year, how about Emma’s request for an ice rink–because who wouldn’t that *that* was the coolest to go ice skating on a pier?