#RES-Rockport

Three design options for RES Community Park to be presented March 12
Mon, 03/04/2024 - 7:15pm

The Lesher Family Foundation and Town of Rockport will present three potential designs for the community park being built at the former RES site, at the corner of West Street, and routes 1 and 90. Landscape architect Viewshed , has incorporated feedback received from future park users through the last set of design meetings and survey. Join the team at the Camden Hills Regional High School cafeteria March 12 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to hear a presentation and participate in activities. The high...
Featuring farmers, food manufacturers, artisans, and a food truck
New West Street Rockport farmers’ market pops up on Wednesday afternoons
Tue, 07/04/2023 - 8:30am

ROCKPORT—A group of farmers, food manufacturers, artisans, and even a food truck have started a new farmer’s market at the former Rockport Elementary School site on West Street on Wednesdays starting at 3 p.m. The site, owned by the town of Rockport, is being developed into a community park with the financial help of the Lesher Family Foundation, which is investing $3 million into the 6.7 acres for its transformation. According to the LFF website, “The space [RES] is a magnet...
Rockport approves community park for old school parcel, new fire station
Tue, 06/13/2023 - 9:00pm

ROCKPORT — Across the board, voters in Rockport approved all warrant articles on their annual town meeting ballot. From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., June 13, 701 voters entered the Richardson Room at the Rockport Town Office with the majority of them voting in favor of a $9 million municipal budget, a number of land use ordinance amendments, as well as Articles 3 and 4, concerning the former RES parcel on West Street and the construction of a new West Rockport Fire Station. Rockport voters also approved:...
Town Meeting Warrant Article 3
Public invited to Rockport Community Park informational meeting, May 16
Sun, 05/14/2023 - 11:30am

Legacy Rockport , the nonprofit that works to enhance the vitality of Rockport, is encouraging the public to attend its May 16, 4:30 p.m., meeting at the Simonton Corner Hall to learn more about the proposal to transform the 7.67-acre RES parcel into a community park. The Lesher Family Foundation has pledged to give the town money to set the RES site aside for use as a park, and to fund the creation of park designs, as well as public outreach efforts. The...
No more in-person town meeting
Rockport voters to face big ticket decisions at June Town Meeting: New fire station, RES community park
Fri, 04/14/2023 - 5:30pm

ROCKPORT — The Select Board in Rockport has agreed to ask voters in June at annual town meeting if they endorse spending $3.76 million on a new West Rockport Fire Station, as well as allowing a public-private venture to go forward to make the former Rockport Elementary School a community park and recreation center — funded by a large philanthropic donation. The 2023 Rockport Town Meeting will take place this year at the polls only. The Select Board voted in March to do away...
Citizen input invited as plans for new Rockport Community Park on old RES parcel take shape
Fri, 04/14/2023 - 5:30pm

ROCKPORT — The Lesher Family Foundation is inviting public participation in shaping the old Rockport Elementary School site on West Street into a, “Vibrant Community Park for All Rockport.” A website has been created , and voters in Rockport, who will decided June 13 if the park proposal is an eventuality, will see a related article on the 2023 June Town Town Meeting Warrant, at the polls. Read more: Rockport voters to face big ticket decisions at June Town Meeting:...
And another $1 million gift for municipal project as determined by the town
Rockport considers $3 million philanthropic venture to make RES parcel a permanent community park
Fri, 03/10/2023 - 5:15pm

ROCKPORT — After many years of debate, community forums, executive session conversations and planning, a tangible proposal is before the town to make the former Rockport Elementary School permanently home to a community park. And it is the result of a benefactor making an offer to the town. The Rockport Select Board will discuss Monday evening at a regularly scheduled meeting a resolution of support between the Town of Rockport and the Lesher Family Foundation to make the 7.67-acre RES parcel...
Meeting July 11
Rockport to talk about RES, and consider appointing five citizens to new Village Improvement Plan Task Force
Sun, 07/10/2022 - 8:00pm

ROCKPORT — At the Monday evening, July 11, meeting of the Rockport Select Board, five citizens who have volunteered to serve on a new Village-focused task force are expected to be named to effort. Included in the work is helping to advise the town as the Maine Dept. of Transportation plans possible replacement of the Goose River Bridge at the head of Rockport Harbor. But first, the Select Board will meet with the RES Development Task For and the Economic Development Committee at 5 p.m. for a...
Next step: Does the RES plan align with comprehensive plan?
Public responds skeptically to 84-unit commercial/residential development plan for Rockport’s RES parcel
Tue, 06/14/2022 - 10:45pm

ROCKPORT — Consultants hired by Rockport to produce a development plan for the 7.4 acre former Rockport Elementary School parcel on West Street have proposed siting 82 residential units and a commercial building there, as well as a playground, community pavilion, green space, walking trails and parking for 147 cars. Citizens attending the municipal meeting June 8 sat expressionless as various representatives of the Portland-based NewHeight Group presented their conceptual drawings to them at...
Public invited to June 8 meeting
Concept development designs for Rockport RES parcel ready for public review
Tue, 05/31/2022 - 8:00pm

ROCKPORT — Citizens of Rockport are invited to a public meeting June 8, at the Rockport Opera House, to review conceptual plans for the town-owned former Rockport Elementary School parcel on West Street. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. At the meeting, contractor NewHeight Group will present renderings for the possible redevelopment and use of the 7.5 acre lot. The RES Development Committee plans to convene June 1 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom to look at the plans. For more information about that...
Rockport focuses on future of RES site at public meeting
Mon, 04/04/2022 - 9:30pm

ROCKPORT — For the past several months, Rockport has invited its citizens to weigh in about the future of the former Rockport Elementary School site via a survey. In total, the town received 339 responses, and Tuesday evening, April 5, 6-7:30 p.m., those opinions will be discussed. “We hope many will show to this meeting to see if the responses are guiding us in the right direction,” said Rockport Planner Orion Thomas. During the meeting, the Portland-based NewHeight Group, which was contracted...
Rockport invites town citizens to weigh in on future of RES via online survey
Fri, 01/28/2022 - 12:15pm

ROCKPORT — The Rockport Planning Office has, so far, circulated to approximately 200 citizens via email an invitation to weigh in with opinions about the future of the former Rockport Elementary School site on West Street, on the corner with Route 1. Questions on the survey concern housing, the character of the town, and the priorities of individual citizens, as represented by art and culture, business, community identity, and more. Following approval by voters (791 to 569) at the 2021 Annual...
Request $750,000 from county for broadband internet project
Rockport readies warrant for November vote: RES redevelopment, new fire station, ordinance amendments
Tue, 08/31/2021 - 9:15am

The Rockport Select Board approved four articles Aug. 30 that will be placed before voters on the November 2021 ballot. They include taxpayer approval of funds to continue efforts redeveloping the former Rockport Elementary School (RES) site as well as building a new West Rockport Fire Station. The remaining articles involve proposed changes to portions of Rockport’s Land Use Ordinance. The board also authorized Town Manager Jon Duke to submit an application to the Knox County Commissioners...
Redevelopment of former Rockport Elementary Property requires public vote
Rockport Select Board to consider placing RES development proposal before voters in November
Sun, 08/29/2021 - 6:00pm

ROCKPORT — The Rockport Select Board will decide at their Aug. 30 meeting whether or not to place a proposed redevelopment plan for the former Rockport Elementary School (RES) site on the November ballot as a warrant article. The next meeting of the Rockport Select Board will be held via ZOOM on Monday, Aug. 30, at 5:30 p.m. It will be streamed live at https://livestream.com/Rockportmaine The article would ask voters to approve an agreement with development...
Group hopes project will go to vote next November
Rockport Task Force favors NewHeight as developer of former RES site
Wed, 08/04/2021 - 1:15pm

Members of the RES Redevelopment Task Force decided Aug. 3 to move forward with development firm NewHeight as the group to develop the former Rockport Elementary School (RES) site at the corner of routes 1 and 90. Watch the Aug. 3 meeting here. The consensus among task force members, liaisons to the Economic Development Committee and Select Board was that the town should ask NewHeight for a detailed timeline of next steps for the development of the 7.4 acre property, with the...
Tuesday, Aug 3, meeting
Rockport’s RES development task force to take closer look at next steps for town-owned parcel
Mon, 08/02/2021 - 3:00pm

ROCKPORT — The task force that has been assigned with fielding development ideas for the former Rockport Elementary School (RES) site at the corner of Routes 1 and 90 (West Street) in Rockport Village will convene in person Tuesday evening to talk about the 7.4-acre parcel’s future. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and can be watched on Livestream: https://livestream.com/Rockportmaine Two developers presented their ideas in June to the task force: Allen Mitchell, on behalf of Almar Inc.,...
Allen Agency withdraws interest in town-owned property; two proposals on the table
Rockport Task Force hears housing development proposal for RES site
Mon, 06/21/2021 - 11:45am

ROCKPORT — On June 16, members of the RES Redevelopment Task Force and the town’s Economic Development Committee held a meeting to outline roles of committee members and expectations for the development of the town-owned parcel of land where the former Rockport Elementary School (RES) once stood. The meeting included a presentation by development firm NewHeight, which submitted a letter of interest (LOI) to the town earlier this spring, outlining its past experience...
Proposals include subdivision, commercial building
Three parties interested in developing Rockport Village RES property
Tue, 06/15/2021 - 2:45pm

Three separate entities have expressed interest in developing the former Rockport Elementary School (RES) site at the corner of Routes 1 and 90 (West Street) in Rockport Village. Allen Insurance Agency, Almar Inc. and NewHeight group have each submitted documents to the town’s Planning Department regarding the 7.4 acre parcel of town-owned land. On June 16 the RES Task Force, a group of citizens and town employees tasked with overseeing the development of the site, will meet publicly to...
April 9 deadline for letters of interest
Rockport officials renew search for RES site developers
Mon, 03/15/2021 - 4:45pm

ROCKPORT — In a continued effort to find potential developers for the site of the former Rockport Elementary School (RES) at the corners of Route 90 and Route 1, members of the municipal RES Task Force have begun seeking “letters of interest” from parties that may choose to convert the undeveloped, town-owned 7.4 acre parcel of land. Members of the RES Task Force drafted a document titled “Invitation to submit a letter of interest,” which asks prospective developers to submit copies of their...
Former school site would show films throughout summer
CIFF founder proposes continued use of Rockport RES site as drive-in theater
Mon, 02/08/2021 - 11:30am

ROCKPORT — Camden International Film Festival (CIFF) founder Ben Fowlie and Development Director Emily Peckham have proposed to operate a drive-in move theater on the former Rockport Elementary School (RES) site from the beginning of June through October 2021. The pair submitted a proposal to the Rockport Town Office on Jan. 28, which outlines their plan to offer two film screenings each week at the West Street location, located near the intersection of Routes 1 and 90. Last summer CIFF offered...
Experts urge Rockport to be thoughtful about redeveloping the RES site
Tue, 10/13/2020 - 8:00pm

Members of the RES Redevelopment Task Force heard appeals from professionals in the real estate and architectural fields Oct. 6, advising against taking hasty action to sell or develop an 7.7-acre parcel of town-owned land in the current economic climate. The Task Force was assembled to redevelop the property at the intersection of Routes 1 and 90 where the former Rockport Elementary School (RES) once stood. Members in attendance during a virtual meeting included Martin Cates...
Monday, Sept. 28 meeting
Yarmouth landscape architect/planner Terry DeWan to talk with Rockport Select Board about RES redevelopment
Sun, 09/27/2020 - 9:15pm

ROCKPORT — At 5:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 28, Rockport’s Select Board will convene in person at the Rockport Opera House and talk with Terrance DeWan, who is founding principal of TJD&A, a landscape architecture and planning firm in Yarmouth. DeWan will teleconference with the board, and offer advice on shaping the future of the 7.7-acre former Rockport Elementary School parcel. It won’t be a big presentation, said DeWan, who is familiar with Rockport and the Midcoast, having advised on...
Who sent the political mailer?
Short term rental rules, RES redevelopment, pop-store at harbor, and warrant all top Rockport agenda
Sun, 07/26/2020 - 9:45pm

ROCKPORT — With opinions flying about Rockport crafting short term rental rules, along with an architect’s suggestion to get informed advice before diving into a redevelopment plan for the RES land on West Street, combined with a request from a Camden business owner to establish a pop-up clothing trailer at Rockport Harbor, the Select Board faces a multi-faceted meeting Monday evening, July 27. And, the board will allow for any comments on the 2020 Annual Town Meeting warrant...
Athletic fields would remain undeveloped
Commercial building proposed for former RES site in Rockport
Mon, 03/09/2020 - 11:15am

Allen Insurance and Financial, of Camden, has submitted a proposal to the Rockport Town Office to build a commercial building at the currently undeveloped property at the corner of Routes 1 and 90 in Rockport, where the former Rockport Elementary School (RES) once stood. The bid to develop the town-owned property was filed by company president J. Michael Pierce on Feb. 24. Pierce, on behalf of Allen Agency, Inc., was the only potential bidder to submit a development proposal to the town by an...
Town expects multiple proposal for former Rockport Elementary site
Rockport committee outlines qualifications for potential RES developers
Fri, 01/31/2020 - 6:15pm

ROCKPORT — The RES Redevelopment Committee met Jan. 30 to outline the criteria that will be used to qualify development proposals for the town-owned 7-acre plot of land where the former Rockport Elementary School (RES) once stood. Committee members present at the meeting were Amanda Dwelley, who chairs the group, Eric Boucher, Janet Hall, Martin Cates, Mary Stevens and Select Board liason Doug Cole. Town officials present were Town Planner Bill Najpaeur, Town Manager Bill Post and Finance...
Select Board appoints nine to Comprehensive Plan Committee
Rockport again extends invitation for conceptual development ideas for former school site
Tue, 01/14/2020 - 11:45am

ROCKPORT — The Rockport Select Board voted unanimously Jan. 13 in favor of a recommendation by the RES Redevelopment Committee that the town again invite development proposals for a 7.6 acre parcel of land where the former Rockport Elementary School (RES) once stood. The town-owned property is located at the intersection of Commercial St. (Route 1) and West St. (Route 90.) The Select Board opened a request for qualifications (RFQ) period of Jan. 14 to Feb. 28, during which time applicants can...
RES redevelopment committee meets again Jan. 30
Additional development proposals may be entertained for Rockport property
Mon, 12/16/2019 - 12:00pm

ROCKPORT — The committee tasked with exploring development options for the former Rockport Elementary School site at the intersection of Routes 1 and 90 may recommend that the Rockport Select Board reopen the project to new contractors and potential bidders. The RES Redevelopment Committee received one proposal for the property by an October deadline. “The committee will recommend to the Select Board at its next meeting that the RFQ process be reopened for about six weeks,” said Doug Cole on...
Point Lookout cabins one of the design elements, to ‘honor Maine’s status as most forested state’
Local family submits development proposal for former Rockport Elementary School site
Tue, 10/29/2019 - 5:15pm

The Town of Rockport received one proposal by a local group to develop the 7.6-acre of parcel of property at the corner of routes 1 and 90 into “Rockport Crossing” – a mixed-up commercial, residential and recreational site. The proposal is the only application received after the town circulated last month a request for qualifications (RFQ), hoping to engage private businesses in brainstorming, and possibly engaging, in the redevelopment of a ballfield and open space that has been owned by the...
Citizens will oversee potential development of West Street parcel
Rockport appoints five to RES Redevelopment Committee
Wed, 10/16/2019 - 2:45pm

ROCKPORT — Members of the Rockport Select Board appointed five of nine potential candidates to serve on the newly formed RES Redevelopment Committee during an Oct. 15 meeting. The votes were not unanimous, with three board members consistently voting one way and two voting the opposition. Members of the board discussed the qualifications of potential candidates, as well as their town of residence or businesses, before selecting citizens to serve on the committee whose goal is to oversee the...
Rockport invites developers to submit vision, credentials for former school site
Wed, 08/28/2019 - 7:15pm

ROCKPORT — A municipal committee in Rockport, along with the town planner, are “looking to partner with a developer in order to create a public-private partnership while developing a prime piece of town-owned real estate at the former Rockport Elementary School (RES) site.” On Aug. 28, the town issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for interested developers to produce ideas for the 7.5 acre site that is on the corner of West Street and Route 1. The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m., Oct...
Rockport seeks help in shaping future plans for former elementary school parcel
Thu, 08/22/2019 - 10:30am

Rockport is seeking volunteers to serve on the recently formed RES Redevelopment Committee. This committee, which is the official outgrowth of an informal group that has been meeting for a year to talk about the future of the former Rockport Elementary School site on West Street, is to produce plans for the 7.5 acre parcel. The committee is to comprise: Town Manager Bill Post, ex officio Finance Director Megan Brackett, ex officio Rockport Planner Bill Najpauer, ex...
Request for qualifications to be considered at Aug. 12 Select Board meeting
Group considers selling, ‘gifting’ former Rockport Elementary School parcel to developers
Wed, 07/17/2019 - 7:15pm

ROCKPORT — A group of town officials and employees met July 17 to prepare a draft of a request for qualifications (RFQ) which will be sent to potential developers interested in building a mixed use development on a parcel of town-owned land where the Rockport Elementary School once stood. The group expects to submit a finalized RFQ to the Rockport Select Board for approval on Aug. 12. Referred to as the RES (Rockport Elementary School) Working Group, members present at the Wednesday meeting...
Parcel at intersection of Rtes 1, 90 may feature retail, residences
Rockport group considers workforce housing possibility at former RES site
Sun, 06/23/2019 - 9:00pm

A group of Rockport elected officials and town employees met recently to discuss further plans for the development of the former Rockport Elementary School (RES) site at the corner of West and Commercial streets (Route 1), plans that may include adjusting the zoning district to allow workforce or affordable housing on the property in conjunction with retail space. The informal working group, which was once referred to as the RES Committee, has been meeting over the past months to discuss the...
Meeting tonight: Public encouraged to attend
Rockport invites citizens to envision future for former RES school site
Wed, 05/29/2019 - 8:45am

ROCKPORT — What shall the vacant, publicly-owned 7.67-acre lot on the corner of routes 1 and 90, across from the Market Basket, look like? Should it be developed? How so? Should the ball field remain? Should it be sold to private interests? Currently, the lot is collectively owned by Rockport citizens, after the former Rockport Elementary School vacated the land and it reverted back to municipal ownership. On Wednesday, May 29, 6 p.m., at the Rockport Opera House, a brainstorming session on the...
Rockport to seek public input for future of former elementary school site
Thu, 04/18/2019 - 1:30pm

ROCKPORT — The informal group that has been meeting to tap ideas for the future of the former Rockport Elementary School site on West Street in Rockport met April 17 at the town office to plan a public forum which would invite Rockport residents and members of the public to offer thoughts on the potential development of the now vacant 7-acre lot on the corner of Routes 1 and 90. The group made tentative plans to host the event during the last week of May at the Rockport Opera House. The...
Public forum perhaps in May
Rockport group mulls over development possibilities of former elementary school site
Thu, 03/28/2019 - 2:00pm

ROCKPORT — In May, Rockport residents may be invited to a workshop seeking feedback on the potential development of the the now vacant 7 acre lot on the corner of Routes 1 and 90, and on which the Rockport Elementary School once stood. The RES Committee met March 27 to discuss multi-use options for property. The committee invited realtor Martin Cates to attend the meeting, and sought feedback from him regarding concepts to develop the site, concepts that include creating office and retail space...
Meeting March 27
Conversation focus on commerce, housing for Rockport’s former RES site
Tue, 03/19/2019 - 3:15pm
ROCKPORT — An unofficial town committee will meet again March 27 to continue its brainstorming about what uses the former Rockport Elementary School site on the corner of West Street and Route 1 might present. On March 27, the committee will talk with realtor Martin Cates about commerce and housing opportunities for the 4.9 acre town-owned parcel. The meeting will take place at 1:30 p.m. at the Rockport Town Office. The agenda follows: Discussion items: Discussion with Martin Cates about the...
Meeting Nov. 14
Rockport focuses on redevelopment of site home to former Rockport Elementary School
Tue, 11/13/2018 - 6:30pm
ROCKPORT — The Rockport Select Board has turned its attention to the future of the 4.9 acre site which was home to the former Rockport Elementary School on West Street, at the corner of a busy intersection with routes 1 and 90. It is focal point for the community and more than just visual: The old playing field, used predominantly for T-ball and pickup games, figures in local sentiment. But there is also a parallel desire to make the empty parcel a tax revenue producer for the town. On Nov. 14...
Select board, business owners convene
Rockport talks RES site future, broadband, workforce housing
Wed, 10/31/2018 - 8:45am

ROCKPORT — At a special workshop of the select board, approximately 20 Rockport business owners gathered at the Rockport Opera House Oct. 30, to share thoughts, concerns and suggestions about how to make the town a more business friendly community and “to get to know one another better.” The concept for this type of business forum was introduced July 23, when non-voting Rockport property owners and taxpayer residents convened, for the first time at a similar type meeting, with the town manager...
Changing landscape on southwesterly side of Rockport Village
Old friends propose new take on Rockport neighborhood: Workforce housing, gardens, and lots of children
Sun, 01/29/2017 - 9:30pm

ROCKPORT — A busy corner on Route 1 is poised for a major transformation, as ideas percolate among the landowners who have purchased key properties at the south end of Rockport Village known as Hoboken. Where once was a schoolhouse (built just after the Civil War), which then became a garden center with greenhouses, may next be an agricultural enterprise and home to a farmer’s market. Next door? Perhaps a small workforce housing development, with walking trails and gardens, and a childcare...
With a yank of the chain, chimney heaves over
It all falls down at Rockport Elementary School
Tue, 04/23/2013 - 2:00pm

ROCKPORT — There's a big slab of open concrete on West Street where Rockport Elementary School stood for almost 60 years, swept clean of all debris collected following its tear-down. But the space is not going unused: Skateboarders have taken to practicing on the flat, and come June, Cellardoor Winery, of Lincolnville, will set up there for its annual music, wine and food celebration, Pop the Cork, June 27. Following that event, the Portland-based Maine Home and Design...