Starting Over - Would-be Pier Developers Agree
Channel 6's Web site is reporting that leaders of both projects hoping to redevelop the Maine State Pier are leaning toward starting the whole process over again. The story paraphrases Bob Baldacci (the gov's brother) and Kevin Mahaney as being in agreement about one thing: a do-over is what we need.
"Bob Baldacci of Ocean Properties said the process seems to be broken.
Kevin Mahaney of Olympia Properties said if support isn't overwhleming
for either proposal, it may be time to start over," says the piece, by reporter/anchor Kara Matuszewski. (Disclosure: she's the president of the Maine Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists; I'm the veep. We've nominated each other to swap offices in the chapter's upcoming elections.)
Of course, Portland Phoenix readers know - from reading "
Saving A Sinking Waterfront" in the August 31 issue - that there has been enough wrong since the beginning to merit starting from the top.
Suddenly, though, the developers agree: "It's unfortunate," Baldacci told Channel 6. "I'm disappointed. I think it's
outrageous this has been able to develop. I hope taxpayers and citizens
of Portland stand up and say enough is enough."
And Mahaney told Matuszewski that he thought the city didn't spend enough time getting ideas. "This is a very,
very important project," the story quotes him. "And I think the reality is if the
support isn't overwhelming, if it's not a 6 or 7 (votes), it may be
time to go start again."
No kidding.
