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.

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.

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.)

Bill Needleman, city's senior planner, at a planning board meeting recently.

Setting the tone for the second and final forum on the waterfront central zone last night, was a comprehensive overview of the policies and the zoning process itself currently in place. The presentation was given by the city’s senior planner, Bill Needleman. Following his presentation, the 60 or so members of the public broke up into eight focus groups to express their opinions on the waterfronnt and its future.

In his introductory remarks, Needleman said, in part: that the comprehensive plan has not been reviewed since its inception in 1992. That fact combined with the application of the coalition of wharf owners for relief made this review timely.

Needlemen went on to say that the central waterfront is a mixed use area as it stands now. Fishing, marine tourism, retail, restaurants, marine research and environmental services are some of the interests already functioning in the central waterfront zone.

Generally, the current zoning ordinance functions to preserve the water’s edge for berthing, preserve property with direct water access and should be reserved exclusively for marine use, permit marine compatible uses on other property that does not interfere in any way with water dependent uses and promote public access and environmentally responsible practices.

The eight focus groups were asked to respond to the three following questions:

1. Curent policy protects working waterfront uses in the central waterfront: Have these policies helped or hindered economic viability for the district and the city?

2. The pier owner’s proposal would allow new development options in the central waterfront: How would significant non-marine development on the waterfront impacat the district and the city as a whole?

3. Portland has a unique mix of uses and assets along the central waerfront: What elements should be retained and what elements new elements can be added?

The results of these focus groups will be compiled and forwarded to the planning board. They will also be made available to the public on-line at some point.

Meanwhile, representatives of the wharf owners coalition will have an opportunity to present their proposal to the planning board on Tuesday, March 9th at 3:30 pm. Public comment will be taken then. The meeting is at the city hall, room 209, second floor.

Please visit Post # 404, dated March 3rd, for more background information on the subject.

The future of tourism, the fishing industry, the sustainability of wharves and the introduction of marine researach to the area were the focus of a sprawling presentation last night intended to assist the city’s planning board in deciding whether or not to make text amendments to the comprehensive plan for the Portland waterfront. The planning board hosted the event at the Merrill Auditorium Rehersal Hall on Myrtle Street which was well attended.

A review of the comprehensive plan was necessitated by the petitioning begun last October by three representatives of a coalition of eleven wharf owners to relax the city’s zoning ordinance to give them more leeway in renting policies in the waterfront central zone. (WCZ) The three representatives are Steve DiMillo, Charlie Poole and Dick Ingalls. The so-called text amendment has already been written by the city’s staff and was paid for by the wharf owners.

Burt Jogerden, general manager of the Portland Fish Exchange, said the future for the fishing industry is “bleak” here. The groundfishermen are going to Massachusetts where the financial incentives are better. It’s certain that the introduction of new fishing regulations by the government this spring will further deplete the number of fishermen in Portland – possibly by half. However, the lobster industry is very strong here. For the 2009 season, there was a record catch.

Charlie Poole whose family owns Union Wharf served on the panel as well – representing the interests of the 11 wharf owners. He said that the impression some may have garnered that wharf owners want to be able to rent to “recreational” boats is not accurate. So-called “yachts” would suffer far too much damage off his wharf were they to berth there.

Barbara Whitten, executive director of the Greater Portland Convention and Visitor Bureau said that public accessibility to the waterfront is vital to attract tourists. She cited DiMillo’s Floating Restaurant as a model for attracting tourists; access to the waterfront in a very pleasant setting. At the conclusion of the two hour forum, Dick Ingalls, reminded the planning board that the coalition was requesting only five specific changes. Chair Bill Hall responded that he understood, but it was necessary to go through this lengthy process. The three representatives have repeatedly expressed frustration at the slowness of the process since last fall.

Sam Davidson, owner of the Marine Trade Center said following the forum: “It’s hard to overlay a single policy on a waterfront that has different and diverse needs. As a member of the waterfront, I’m not looking for substantial changes – changes that will change the character and nature of the waterfront.”

The second forum will be held tonight at the Merrill Auditorium Rehearsal Hall from 7 pm – 9 pm.

Please visit post # 401, dated February 21, for more background information on the subject.

The green shack with yellow trim lit up at nightfall has finally been given a second life after years of non-use; it’s the shack that looks as though it should have blown over during the recent wind storm but somehow didn’t. Rather, it’s the new home for Skinny Cart BBQ. Noontime today was the opening day for Ron Gan’s newest creation – at 202 Washington Avenue.

A developer who has decided to wait out the economic downturn by pursuing another passion of his, cooking, Gan spent most of last year developing a product of which he’s very proud, he said earlier today at his start-up business. “It’s hard to start up a food cart and to develop a quality sandwich,” ‘Gan said. Since July, he’s been working with groups of food tasters who gave him feedback on the BBQ until Gan had it right. It didn’t all come together until the end of December.

The opening of his Skinny Cart coincided with the opening day of Maine Restaurant Week, although it was incidental. Gan didn’t plan it that way. His inspiration for barbequed beef came from his grandmother; Rebecca. She taught him all about barbequing back in Chicago where Gan is from. The ingredients are the best he could find and are all locally purchased. He gets rolls from Sorellas, Andeson Street, and beef from Pat’s Meat Market, Stevens Avenue. Add some cooked onions to Ronnie G’s Miracle (also secret!) Sauce – this is a sandwich destined to find a local and lasting niche as part of Portland’s reputation as a foodie town. (See above photograph of Ron Gan.)

On the wall facing his desk is a night photograph of a stunning, modern home Gan built in downtown Chicago for his family. Eventually he sold it. “That was an artistic endeavor and so is this enterprise,” he said referring to Skinny Cart. “This has been a lot about transferring skills. The methodology is similar.” Gan developed the Federal Street townhouses a few years ago.

The Skinny Cart BBQ is open Monday through Friday for lunch from 11 am to 2 pm. The beef sandwich is $5.95 and Gan also sells soda and chips. Customers can email Gan to place orders at skinnycartBBQ@gmail.com.

The people lost their power last night – and they got it back late this afternoon. That is, they lost their electric power and all that went with it. That meant heat specifically and hot coffee and a hot breakfast that so many expect on winter mornings. For others it may have meant a restless night because of the howling winds whistling around buildings on the Hill – with high gusts of wind approaching hurricane speeds – and the torrential rains that came in from all directions everywhere!

The Big Apple on Washingon Avenue did not lose its electricity and did a high volume of coffee business. Store manager and Hill resident Patrick said this morning that coffee business was definitely higher than normal. However, coffee giant Hilltop Coffee was closed all day due to the power failure. The Rosemont Market & Bakery next door did not open until around 4 pm – after the electricity was back on and the cash register was working.

Along the waterfront, Portland Yacht Services lost its power until late in the day according to Phin Sprague, Jr. A 30 ft. sailboat belong to PYS employee Rob Benson fell over onto the ground early this morning. It was placed back into its cradle by a crane later in the day. Probably the most extensive damage occurrred at 50 Portland Pier when a rubber roof became detached on one side and caved in due to the weight of the water. A team of trash removers was loading trucks full of debris to be hauled away. “I’ll probably be here all night tonight doing this,” said one of the workers. The red brick office building is about 20 years old.

The nearby DiMillo’s Floating Restaurant & Marina had minor internal water damage. Some of the shrink wrap covering the yachts also had to be replaced because of damage to them. Back up on Newbury Street, Mark Moran was concerned about his apartment building that had developed a leak in the foundation. “I just want the power back. I can’t fix the problem until I have the power back,” he said. His building is next to the Abyssinain Meetinghouse.

Marshall Hebert, substations’ technician for Cenral Maine Power was directing the repair work on Fore Street about 2 pm this afternoon. “I’m surprised we didn’t have more damage considering the strong winds we had last night,” he said. He’s been with CMP almost 39 years. (See above photograph.)

However, it wasn’t until late this afternoon that MHN learned from Ed King, editor of the West End News that power had returned to residents of the Hill. King, who lives on the Hill was relaxing in front of the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization office, “MHNO,” on Congress Street. (Ed was pleased that his bi-weekly free newspaper is now into its tenth year of publication; congratulations Ed!)

Dominic White, a resident of the Hill, said that the power failure kept him from “not being on my computer for the day. It helped me get some chores done,” he said laughing.

By Carol McCracken (Post # 401)

It bears repeating often that the city and the planning board are hosting two public forums on the waterfront next month. Their purpose is to garner public input on uses of the “WCZ” – the waterfront central zone. A coalition of eleven wharf owners out of the fifteen waterfront wharves are petitioning the city for a relaxation of the zoning regulations that are currently in force. Both forums will be held at Merrill Auditorium Rehearsal Hall, Myrtle Street entrance, from 7 pm to 9 pm.

The first forum, Tuesday, March 2, is called, “The Changing Waterfront: Economic Conditions for the Central Waterfront – Ground Fishery, Lobster Fishery and Marine Tourism.” According to the city’s press release, the forum will explore the economic challenges and opportunities facing three key components of the marine industries that current policies are designed to protect. A panel of state-wide experts in various fields has been chosen to be panel members. Charlie Poole will be representing the coalition of wharf owners on the panel. The planning board is expected to participate in this forum. The forum will be moderated by Bill Hall, chair of the board.

The second forum on Wednesday, March 3rd, “Private Piers, Public Policy and the future of Portland’s Central Waterfront” will outline potential changes to Portland’s waterfront and seek public input on the future of the zone.” Focus groups will discuss a number of questions presented to them. Planning board members will not participate, but may be present at the forum.

Later, the planning board will evaluate the results and review current as well as potential changes to policy and zoning for the district. For more information, please visit www.portlandmaine.gov for periodic updates.

In the meantime, the planning board will be holding a meeting on Tuesday, February 23, at 3 pm at city hall, room 205 as a precusor to these upcoming public forums.

Please visit Post # 398, dated 2/28 for more details.

In order to refresh your memory or if you are a newcomer to the area, MHN.com recommends two current articles on different aspects of the waterfornt as backgound information. The first article is on the front page of the February 22 issue of “Mainebiz” newspaper: “Anchors Aweigh,” by Robet M. Cook. The second article is in the March issue of “Down East” magazine. It’s on page 17 of The Talk of Maine column – “Pier Pressure.”

The Portland Observatory on Munjoy Hill

The Spirits Alive Lecture Series continues this Saturday, February 27 at 10 am at the Maine Historical Society at 489 Congress Street, Portland. The topic is: Privatering on Casco Bay. Author James L. Nelson will talk about privateers – armed private ships licensed to attack enemy shipping – in New England. Nelson is the authoor of “George Washington’s Secret Navy” and other books.

On Saturday, March 27, Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr., Director of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission will present a slide lecture on the history of Munjoy Hill. His topic is: The Historical Development of Munjoy Hill. Also at 10 AM at the Maine Historical Soceity , 489 Congress Street.

Both lectures are free. For more information, please visit www.spiritsalive.org. Spirits Alive is a three year old non-profit dedicated to the protection and preservation of Portland’s historic Eastern Cemetery through a range of activities including promotion and education. Memberships are available.