BELFAST — The City of Belfast, in an attempt to respond to increased demand over the past few years for additional commercial/industrial space, is now seeking a developer to build space out in the Belfast Airport Business Park.

In late September of this year the City issued a Request for Proposals in which it seeks a developer to construct, own, and manage a structure of at least 4,000-5,000 square feet that will provide spaces for rent to multiple small businesses of these types.

The structure to be built would also need to include shared access to a loading dock or to provide a shared fork lift, in order to facilitate truck transportation for the businesses that would reside there. To encourage a developer to come forward, the City of Belfast is ready to convey one or more lots in the Belfast Airport Business Park or alternatively, to enter into a long-term ground lease.

According to City Councilor Michael Hurley: "Belfast has a shortage of small and mid-size commercial space for companies that do not need retail space, but do need shop, office, warehousing, receiving, and shipping space. The Belfast Airport Business Park is the perfect location for a multiple space building that could accommodate new, current, or expanding businesses looking to be in Belfast, and the City of Belfast wants to be proactive in encouraging developers and investors to look at this opportunity."

Belfast Economic Development Director Thomas Kittredge added: "in the recent past, the City has not aggressively marketed the Belfast Airport Business Park, despite the many advantages that it has, such as its location directly off of the U.S. Route 1 bypass, its close proximity to the Belfast Municipal Airport, its ready access to utilities such as water, sewer, and 3-phase power, and the fact that it is largely pre-permitted with respect to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

We believe that the Belfast Airport Business Park is a valuable infrastructure asset, one where we would like to encourage appropriate business development to take place."

The City currently has five lots available for development in Belfast Airport Business Park's south phase, located along Little River Drive and ranging in size from 1.67 to 2.66 acres.

Other businesses and organizations currently located within the Belfast Airport Business Park include Belfast Industries, the City of Belfast Transfer & Recycling Facility, Coastal Helicopters, Ducktrap River of Maine, Easterly Wine, Larrabee Brothers Plumbing  andHeating, Little River Apparel Manufacturing, Maine Maritime Products, TPS Technologies, and the United States Department of Agriculture.

The City of Belfast has set a deadline for proposals of 12 p.m., Monday, Dec. 22.

Interested developers are encouraged to view the Request for Proposals, which can be found online at www.cityofbelfast.org/BABP_proposal, and to direct questions to Belfast Economic Development Director Thomas Kittredge at 207-338-3370 extension 16, or at economicdevelopment@cityofbelfast.org.