We, at the Heart of Biddeford, would like to extend our deepest gratitude for your incredible efforts on behalf of the HeartWorks Downtown Master Plan Project and Community Forum this past July 15th! Over 100 of Biddeford’s friends and residents attended this gathering despite sweltering summer heat, to stake a course for the future of our historic downtown. The range of ideas for developing an all inclusive, healthy, welcoming and safe Main Street community that truly defines the heart & soul of Biddeford was innovative and astounding! In true Biddeford form — everyone thought of each soul that lives and breathes in our city, and how important it is to never forget a single one as we begin making decisions that will shape the future of downtown. What a night it was!
Thank you to all of you who were able to come! Your presence made for the most productive effort toward our master plan yet — you celebrated and validated the values that emerged during our storytelling phase, and you helped us prioritize the ideas and issues we learned from you at 35 neighborhood meetings spread throughout the city from corner to corner. You added things that were missing from the list that were important to you — and you made sure to think of those whose voice is not always heard or organized. You made your case on behalf of our natural resources — and you struggled over the best possible vision for the future. Your work will help us make Downtown Biddeford a product of its citizens, and not a casualty of sprawl.
Thank you to all of the people who tirelessly helped put the night together! The decorations, the food, the tables, the facility — the building up and the breaking down. All of you worked so hard and up to the very last second and beyond! To our wonderful facilitators, and to Ariana and interns from Orton, Sue from Everyday Democracy, Mark and Terry from Planning Decisions, Dora from the library, Carolyn from the high school and her students, Jen and the Art Van behind the barbeque, Doug’s North Dam Mill, and all of the local non-profits at their booths — you made the night happen. We could not have done it without you.
As we move forward to craft this important master plan and vision, we will keep you all in the loop at every step of the way. Some of you signed on to help with specific issues to address with the master plan, and for you we will provide networking information to connect you with people who have the same interests, some great skills and strengths to lend in the effort, and some groups in Biddeford geared toward making a difference on these issues. Any of you who feel compelled to join a network, help in any way, or attend advisory council meetings, feel free to contact our office at Heart of Biddeford, or visit our website at www.heartofbiddeford.org (click on Heartworks Project) for more information.
Again, congratulations to each and every one of you on this wonderful achievement! Imagine where we will be in 5 or 10 years… hopefully meeting each other on the sidewalks of downtown, brimming with pride at our dreams realized!
Greatness, indeed.
