Munjoy Hill News

Mark Woglom Presents Plans for the former Jordan's Meat Site to the planning board.

After remaining vacant for years now, the former Jordan’s Meats site appears to be on the fast track for the development of a hotel, restaurant and residential condos. That part of the development is the first phase in a two phase process. No time was given for the start of the second phase. The address is 207-209 Fore Street.

Mark Woglom, president, of Opechee Construction Corp. ( N.H.) requested that the planning board put the process on a fast track at a meeting yesterday afternoon. The reason given for that request is that the lease of the restaurant expires about a year from this spring and the Sebage Brew Pub on Middle Street in the Old Port wants to be able to move right in to their complex at that time. The planned 180-seat restaurant will be located on the first floor and space will be split evenly between it and the hotel. 7,022 square feet will be dedicated to the restaurant according to a memo dated March 5 from the Old Port Hospitality to the planning board. There will be an outdoor cafe as well. The entrance will be on Fore Street.

The planned building is of brick and concrete block “oriented” to Fore Street. Wolgom, acknowledged that the planning staff had requested that “enhancements” be added to the outside structure of the building. Floors two to five are to be occupied by the hotel. The sixth story of the 65 ft. building will be dedicated to 12 residential condos.

During the public comment, Federal Street resident Hugh Nazor said: “I think its wonderful. It brings feet into town.” He asked Woglom if there were a possibility for “limited use by the neighborhood for the swimming pool and training rooms.” Woglom later responded that was not likely since this is part of the Hilton chain and they are have very strict rules governing public use of property.

Hill resident Jamie Parker said he found the proposed development “generally favorable. The developers have paid attention to details. It’s a welcoming space.” But he did take issue with the lack of attention paid to Franklin Street in view of the recent work of the Franklin Street Study group. Parker went on to say he would like some interface on Franklin Street – not just on Fore Street.
Another public comment came from Jeff Grinvalsky of Washington Avenue. He said he was not thrilled to see a hotel go up there.

It is anticipated that a public hearing on the matter will be coming up shortly. Chair Bill Hall recommended that notices of the pubic hearing be sent to members of the Franklin Street Study group because some members may not abut the former Jordan’s Meat property. A neighborhood public hearing could well be at a local school. The planning board will hold its public hearing in April.

By Carol McCracken (Post # 408)

Over the weekend, Portland Yacht Services was still in hybernation, but all around the boats were signs of spring – or at least very good imitations of it. That’s because the 18 exhibitors in the annual Portland Flower Show were preparing their plots for the flowers and shrubs that will be arriving all week – some of them Wednesday morning. Just in time for the preview party on Wednesday evening from 6 – 9 pm.

Jeff O’Donal, owner of O’Donal’s, Gorham, was finishing his late lunch in the warm sunshine when MHN.com spotted him. Well-known for his “woody plants” in which hydrangeas are included, O’Donal said he’s including a relatively new hydrangea – “Quickfire” in this year’s exhibit. It’s different because it blooms much earlier in the season and it turns pink before the other hydrangeas even bloom. (Normally, they turn white and then turn pink.)

Also included in this year’s exhibit, “Hobbit House” is a thirty year old sculptured white pine topiary. It belongs to his father, Royce, from whom O’Donal bought the family business a few years ago. Royce bought the nursery back in 1960 from Lena Jackson, who was then a widow. O’Donal, the son is 53 years old and said he has no regrets taking over the family business, although he was not the oldest of his five siblings. Neither of his two daughters seems interested in the family business.

Like many other exhibitors at the show, much of the talk was about the unusually warm end of winter weather the area is enjoying right now. “It’s made this show a whole lot easier and less expensive for all of us, O’Donal said. He’d been eating his lunch on the tailgate of a truck. “We can haul our plants over in an open truck rather than a van or panel truck,” he said. “We didn’t have any daytime heating expenses for our greenhouses this year to force the flowers into bloom for the show. That makes it a lot less expensive,” O’Donal added. (See above photo of O’Donal.)

O’Donal is a long-time exhibitor at the Portland Flower Show. Last year he won four awards, including Best in Show. “Entering this show gives us a lot of exposure. It’s great advertising. Anyone who buys a ticket to attend is really interested in what we have to offer them,” O’Donal said. Then he went back to his “Hobbit House.” His company partnered with Landmarc’s Inc. who did all the stone work on the House.

The Portland Flower Show runs from March 11 – 14, 2010 at The Portland Co. Complex, 58 Fore Street, (207) 775-4403. The opening night preview party is sponsored by Maine Home+Design and is on Wednesday, March 10 from 6 pm – 9 pm. Tickets at the door for this event cost $40. Otherwise, general admission at the door costs $15. per person and children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult. Please visit www.portlandcompany.com/flower.

A Fine Day at the East End Beach for Everyone!

Icahbod has been missing from home for the last 24 hours and his owner, Al, wants very much to find him and get him back. He’s an indoor cat, unfamiliar with the outdoors and he has no collar, she says. Ichabod’s underside is white with a gray tabby back and a white strip down his spine. He has half a moustache. Can you picture him, we hope?

He’s very missed by his entire family. If you see him, please call Al at: 207 – 266 – 9305. Thank you.

By Carol McCracken (Post # 406)

The city’s Fourth Annual Art Exhibit of City Employees and their Families began its two week run this morning at city hall. The show which is open to public school employees, public library employees as well as city hall staff members has attracted 130 entries, said the event organizer, Karen Seymour.

“It’s like our very own Oscars,” said Seymour laughing earlier today. The winners in the show were selected yesterday and will be announced this evening at an artists’ reception and awards ceremony which begins at 6:30 pm. in the State of Maine room at city hall. There are five classes; three for adults and two for children. First, second and third place awards will be presented in all categories. A best of show award will be presented as well. A total of $2,400 in award money will be presented said Seymour who is a recreation supervisor with the city’s recreation and facilities management department. The judges are: David Marshall, artist, Bryony Brett, stained glass artist and Carol Schiller, photographer.

The art show is sponsored by the National Arts Program. It’s designed to give artists at all levels of skill an opportunity to exhibit their work in a professonal manner and compete for cash prizes. That is where the $2,400 in award money comes from. In addition, this year, the Program has designated an additional $475. to pay for refreshments and extras needed to help mount the show. None of the money used for this show is city money, said Seymour. “It’s all at very minimal cost to the city of Portland,” she said.

The art show runs from Friday, March 5th until Friday, Marcy 19th from 8 am to 4:30 pm – Monday-Friday.

(editor’s note: The above oil painting is: “Tranquill Dawn” by Amy Montefuso. It’s in the amateur section on the first floor at city hall.)