My initial list of 5 recommendations for Portland, Maine are as follows:
1. Integration of Back Cove to Old Port/Downtown area;
2. Statuesque icon/landmark;
3. More open waterfronts;
4. Less seasonal attractions that can boost tourism all year round, such as casinos, or other forms of one-stop entertainment center;
5. Green roofs.
After careful consideration and contemplation about long-term benefits, I have decided the two most urgent suggestions is to initiate the Back Cove-Downtown Project, and the Entertainment Center Project.
One of my biggest considerations is Portland relatively low population. Portland’s population has been relatively steady for the past years while most cities’ population have grown considerably. A lot of the other ideas our classmates have come up with, such as better public transportation, would readily come into place with increased population and increased demand. A greater population would also increase Portland’s competitiveness and service-related industries, among many other positive influences.
Currently, Portland’s population shows seasonality—booming tourism during the summer, with much less inhabitants during the winter. Portland needs attractions that are not affected by different seasons, and a big casino/entertainment center would serve this purpose. It would attract tourists and visitors all year round, while also becoming a significant contributor to Portland’s economy, boosting tax income and potentially creating tens of thousands of jobs. The complex could also feature shopping malls, restaurants, movie theaters, hotels, etc, to become an essentially a one-stop resort destination in New England. This also works well with Maine’s vacationland image and strategy. If built aesthetically pleasant, the complex could also become a statuesque icon/landmark of the City.
Portland downtown is a peninsula, with I-295 as the limits on land. This creates a confinement that in turn limits Portland downtown’s possibility of expanding and developing. Looking at Downtown Boston, which is similar to Portland in many ways, we can see the Boston Downtown does not have a thruway barrier, and other regions on the peripherals of the center have emerged as commercial centers, such as Back Bay, Newbury St, Prudential Center, etc. Major thruways like the I-93 and I-90 have gone underground to create space for city development and increase the city’s walkability.
Back Cove is geographically adjacent to Old Port, though separated from the latter by I-295. Bringing I-295 underground would not only allow Portland Downtown to continue grow, but would also open access to Back Cove from downtown, and also possibly integrate Back Cove into the Downtown region, which would also open up a huge waterfront for increased public access. Reclaimed land can also be used for valuable waterfront development and high value real estate. It can also be used to create a giant “Central Park,” surrounding Back Cove, for Portland. More housing and development will also in turn attract more population to Portland.
Love the “thinking-big” ideas. Realistically, I don’t think Portland (or the State of Maine) has the financial or political capabilities to undergo a major rehaul of I-295. Further, this would only create a secondary issue of combining two relatively distant commercial locations; what happens to the residential neighborhoods between Back Cove and the Old Port? Ultimately, this may create the need for more suburbs, housing, etc, as you suggest but that is tens or hundreds of years in the future. I am drawn to your other idea of an entertainment center, though there are multiple challenges to face for that development. Namely, what happens to Maine Mall? How does “big business” fit in with the Maine tradition of small and handcrafted? Why would a casino want to invest in seasonal Maine? There are only two casinos in the whole state — the second is only two years old. It seems that casinos are not keen on starting up here.
I definitely agree with all your points about improving tourism during the summer months in Portland. Maine is “Vacationland” just like you said and there is no reason it should live up to its name year around. I do have some reservations about a one-stop resort complex with a casino. I am mainly uncertain how a casino could be started in the city because it would have to be voted upon in a state-wide referendum or likely introduced through another legal process. However, that being said, I think you are heading in the right direction when thinking about how Portland could be more unified. And a one-stop resort could help to centralize tourism, but it would be prudent to consider how such a resort could be developed and still allow Portland and Old Port to keep their New England seaside charm. I have never really thought about how 295 divides Portland in half and it is an obstacle the city will definitely have to consider. Finally, I like how you brought up green roofs because they are something we have not really talked about, but something that is very practical for colder climates to consider actually because the roof provides insulation during the winter and keeps heat in. It is certainly not the first thing to come to mind when I think about city infrastructure, but it is another idea to very much consider.
Having driven to Portland as well as through Portland on many occasions, I definitely agree that 295 is entirely in the way and divides Portland up quite a bit. However, I do not think it is feasible to put it underground for financial reasons. Portland and the state of Maine do not have enough money to simply reroute the highway underground. The highway was built years and years ago and I do not think it can just easily be rerouted, especially because of the costs. Like the way in which you can go to the beach and dig to water if you dig deep enough, Portland most likely has a similar landscape because it borders so much water.
I also do not think that Portland’s solution to a lack of winter tourism should be solved by a massive casino/resort/mall. There is already the Maine Mall in Portland that has stores and restaurants, but it is just like other malls in that it is not a tourist destination. I do not think a major mall-like complex could be a vacation hub because it could not be large enough to hold all kinds of stores, restaurants, hotels, movie theaters, etc. and still have the “New England charm” that is desired by New England tourists.
Your idea of bringing large commercial businesses to Portland would be an easy fix for many problems, but I am not sure if would be have much success in Portland due to the nature of the feel of the city. Its quaint, quite and typical New England small town feel is what attracts so many people to the city. It is important to maintain this quality of the city and adding more malls and complexes is not going to the solution to making the city “smarter”. Additionally, yes it is true that 1-295 presents a problem, however, part of making a city “smarter” is taking those challenges and using creativity to fix those problems. Together we are going to have to come up with not only technologically progressive solutions, but also ones that are creative and cutting-edge.
Yes! You are a big thinker. And stick to solutions that benefit business and the economy because, in this realm, you are a clever schemer and dreamer, and more importantly, you are delighted. Then, when you are delighted, your ideas become more comprehensive, more critical, and have a much stronger impact. Go in that direction. Build economies and jobs and tourist attractions that really work.