Eight tourist information centers proposed

VAN BUREN — Van Buren town officials Monday were briefed on a proposal to build a string of tourist information centers at river landing sites in eight St. John Valley communities.

The brainchild of Aubrey Raus of Hamlin, the plan calls for the construction of eight sites in communities from Allagash to Hamlin.

The sites would serve double duty, enhancing the region’s highway, rail and river transportation system and helping interpret for visitors the valley’s historic, cultural and natural heritage features.

Some of those features could be signs, kiosks, nature trails, docks and small centers for customized educational and interpretive programming.

All of the proposed sites overlook the St. John River. Most would be located off U.S. Route 1. The idea, Raus said, was to highlight the role the river played in the region’s settlement and in reaching resources when water was an important means of transportation.

One hope is that if travelers pause at scenic and educational sites, they will spend more time in valley communities.

To that end, Raus enlisted the aid of the Northern Maine Regional Planning Commission. The NMRPC’s executive board in March agreed to apply to the state Department of Transportation for Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act funds on behalf of valley towns.

The ISTEA funds would be used to acquire land or easements; build access roads, parking areas, amenities and walkways or nature trails; for landscaping; and to install boardwalks, pilings for floating wharfs and signs.

The NMRPC estimated the eight sites could be developed for $727,000, an average of $90,875 a site.

Communities targeted for sites would decide what types of structures would best meet their needs and interests.

Participating towns would be asked to supply some maintenance services but could recoup some costs by collecting fees for such things as special-use permits for events held at sites and by renting space for concessions.

Civic groups, local historical societies and recreation clubs would have ample opportunities to support the sites.

“This thing seems to be sliding together at a very (opportune) time,” Raus said. He felt the string of rest stops would dovetail well with projects proposed or under way on both sides of the international border in areas such as natural resource protection, highway and downtown improvements, historic and cultural preservation, trade and tourism.

Raus said the Acadian Cultural Preservation Commission, the Loring Reuse Committee, Sen. William Cohen and Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell were among those who expressed interest in his plan.

Raus said he had spent more than two years researching ways to promote heritage tourism. “I have this vision that it’s going to happen,” he said.

In other business at the meeting, the councilors began work on the proposed 1993-94 budget. They approved most of the town manager’s recommendations but set aside about half a dozen items for possible change. They also discussed the possibility of hiring a part-time grant writer who could serve in other capacities.

The council voted to have the sewer department sludge truck fixed at an Edmundston, New Brunswick, garage.

The council met in executive session with Philip Parent, a lawyer, to discuss a land acquisition related to a potential business.