The Activities
Upcoming Master Plan Events:
The HeartWorks project has devoted the last three years talking with people in Biddeford about Downtown – what their memories are – what their hopes are – and what their concerns are. Most importantly, we talked with you about how Downtown can be improved. All of that work has resulted in a Master Plan for Downtown – a road map for how the community can make Downtown a better place where people want to live, work, shop, have fun, and operate a business.
View the Draft of the Master Plan Vision here and the Goals and Action Plans here!
The final draft of the Downtown Master Plan was presented on Thursday, June 16th at the Richard J. Martin Community Center.
The Master Plan presents a vision for what Downtown Biddeford can be in the future. This vision reflects what you told us you want Downtown to be. But the Master Plan doesn’t just present a pretty picture – the plan lays out a detailed set of objectives and actions for making your vision a reality. It includes an action plan that establishes what needs to be done and when if this vision is going to happen.
Many people have helped create this plan for Downtown. You told us about your experiences in Downtown and what Downtown means to you. Hundreds of you participated in neighborhood meetings and shared your hopes and concerns for Downtown. And still more of you attended a series of issue forums to talk about how specific aspects of Downtown can be improved.
The Master Plan focuses on seven main areas that were identified in the neighborhood meetings and last summer’s community forum:
- Creating a vibrant downtown business environment
- Improving downtown appearance
- Increasing downtown activity
- Addressing public safety
- Improving public infrastructure
- Preserving natural resources
- Engaging youth in the downtown
The HeartWorks project is a joint effort of the City of Biddeford, the Heart of Biddeford, and the Orton Family Foundation. The development of the Mater Plan was overseen by the HeartWorks Advisory Council. The Council is comprised of community members, City officials, and representatives from the Heart of Biddeford.
Following the community forum, the Advisory Council will finalize the Master Plan and present it to both the City Council and the Heart of Biddeford for adoption. The expectation is that the City will use the Master Plan in its process to update the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
Join us on March 21 from 6-8:30pm at the Biddeford Middle School for the
HeartWorks Master Plan Community Forum
It’s time to prioritize the strategies and actions of the Master Plan. The entire community is welcome to participate. We will present ideas the ideas and suggestions that have been made over the past two years during the neighborhood meetings and the workshops and then asking the audience to help prioritize these ideas and suggestions for possible inclusion into the final Master Plan to be presented on April 11 at a final community forum. For background on the Master Planning Project which started in 2008, please visit our HeartWorks Master Plan page.
Biddeford, in cooperation with the Heart of Biddeford and the Orton Master Planning Advisory Council, are in the third phase of the Downtown Master Planning Project. Mark Eyerman of Planning Decisions, the firm that was chosen to complete the Master Plan by the RFP Selection Team, is conducting a series of six workshops to address the seven key areas identified by the neighborhood meetings.
Phase III: Master Plan Completion
The Orton Master Planning Project will culminate on Monday, April 11, 2011 with the presentation of the Master Plan at a Community Forum, to be held at the Biddeford Middle School beginning at 6pm.
being adopted by the Project’s Advisory Council. Our work on the plan will be complete and the City of Biddeford will then be asked to accept the Master Plan into the Comprehensive Plan by a vote of the Council. The Comprehensive Plan is slated for approval in 2012.
Phase II: Process
This phase encompasses community building engagement and connection.
We will host two Community Forums on March 21 and April 11. At these forums, we will be checking in with the community to make sure what we’ve heard is right and, if not, to make adjustments.
There are seven priority areas uncovered by the Neighborhood Meetings and the first community forum that will be addressed in upcoming workshops. The seven priority areas are:
- Address safety issues:
COMPLETED: November 5, 2010 at HOB Office, 205 Main Street
Downtown Biddeford should be a place where people feel safe and connected during daytime and nighttime activities. Downtown will be well-lit during evening hours and will enlist community policing practices. The streets of downtown will be inviting at all hours to visitors and residents alike.
Safety Agenda
Safety WorkShop
Summary
Safety WorkShop Full Notes - Engage Youth:
COMPLETED: December 6 at McArthur Public Library, 2nd Floor, 4-6pm
Downtown Biddeford will be a place where young people are visible – engaged in daily life and local business, and embraced by the community for their cultural contributions. Creative educational opportunities will abound, and partnerships with local schools, traditional or alternative will be the norm.
Youth Workshop Agenda - Combined Infrastructure & Natural Resources Workshop:
COMPLETED: Monday, January 24th from 4:30-6:00pm at City Hall- Improve Infrastructure: Downtown Biddeford is and will continue to be designed for human scale. It will provide the necessary infrastructure for desired growth. It will be walkable, safe for bicycles, and committed to design for complete, inviting streets, so people can, and want to, move around easily. It will be built in a way that enhances local character and scale, and will encourage housing opportunities and provide the mobility support for all ages and incomes.
- Preserve Natural Resources: Downtown Biddeford recognizes its responsibility to preserve and protect its natural resources and ecosystems. Biddeford also commits to the resilience and sustainability of its fisheries, working lands and waterfront, and recreational opportunities. Incorporating community-wide educational opportunities into environmental responsibility will be a priority in order to leave a legacy of community members poised to sustain themselves in any economy.
- Increase Activities:
COMPLETED: Monday, January 31st from 4:30-6:00pm at City Hall
Downtown will be a place where people not only come to shop, but to socialize and meet others, as well as to work, recreate, find healthy things to do, and unwind. It will foster community togetherness and expression through events, activities, gatherings, and ongoing open conversations.
- Improve Appearance:
COMPLETED: Monday, February 14th from 4:30-6:00pm at City Hall
Biddeford’s physical assets will be honored and protected. Downtown areas will be cared for and recognized for their historic value, natural resources, and unique landscaping.
- Attract business: COMPLETED: Monday, February 28th from 4:30-6:00pm at City Hall
Biddeford commits to innovate ways to invite and support a rich assortment of businesses, employers, and services downtown. It will support local business and job creation and will encourage a right-sized mix of local amenities, while staying true to the environment. It will encourage a responsive and inclusive government that will work efficiently to advance the wishes of its residents and businesspeople alike.
Phase I: Neighborhood Meetings
The initial phase of the Orton Master Planning Project was to gather information: weaving individual narratives into a community experience. To do this, the Advisory Council and Steering Committee organized neighborhood meetings with various stakeholders in the community, using innovating storytelling techniques to glean input.
Over thirty-four meetings (our goal was 10 to 15) were held with 341 total attendees! Congratulations to everyone who made this happen. You have made a such significant contribution to the future of downtown unmatched in the history of Biddeford. Bravo! Click here for the Neighborhood Meetings summary.
Community Forum: July 15, 2010 was the culmination of Phase I of the Story Telling portion of this Master Plan Project.
The Community Forum was July 15, 2010 at the North Dam Mill. About 125 people showed up on a hot summer day, and 82 were actively involved in the workshop that day. Click here for the Community Forum report.
