Construction will begin on the City’s Middle Pier and Buoy Park Redevelopment Project during the week of August 17, 2026.

 

 

"This redevelopment project addresses age-related condition and safety issues at Middle Pier and breaks the cycle of repeated damage from storms," said the City of Rockland, in a news release. "It advances community goals related to working waterfront preservation, public access, stormwater management, and Harbor Trail improvements."

 

On its Middle Pier and Buoy Park project website, which provides art renderings, the City lists the following redevelopments:

• Rebuilds at a higher elevation for storm resilience
• Incorporates “flexible resilience” in the pier design so that if sea levels and storm surges are higher than forecast, adaptation if feasible without the cost of a complete rebuild
• Incorporates public space with seating on the pier so that the pier is for everyone 
• Adds dingy docks for better access to parts of the City’s mooring fields 
• Incorporates modern utilities on the pier, including water and electrical connections, and pump out service
• Creates flexible public spaces for recreation, festivals, gatherings and more
• Continues to feature historic buoys in the park
• Improves access for kayaks/personal watercraft, and pedestrian access to the gravel beach
• Incorporates seating that will double as play structures so the waterfront is welcoming to families
• Improves view corridors to the water 
• Fills gaps in pedestrian connectivity – including an ADA accessible walkway from the Park to the street
• Proactively addresses stormwater – including moving a stormwater outfall that is currently underwater during large storms
• Brings utilities to code, adds a fire hydrant for safety, and moves electrical out of the flood zone
• Adds a segment of the Harbor trail along the shore of Buoy Park, with related seating. 

"The project directly benefits Rockland’s marine economy and outdoor economy which are both important parts of Rockland’s current economy, and growth opportunities for the future," said the City.

Implementation of this project is made possible thanks to Senator Collins and Senator King, who secured $4,060,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for the project—the largest grant ever received by the City of Rockland, according to the news release. The Maine Department of Transportation also contributed $250,000 from its Small Harbor Improvement Program.

 

The project design is the result of collaboration among the City’s design team, City Committees, project neighbors, park users, and community members.

 

“So many people have contributed to this effort – whether time, ideas, advice, easements, letters of support, or grants,” said Rockland Community & Development Director Julie Hashem. “We couldn’t be happier that the project will soon break ground.”