Big hotel plan has locals wary S. Portland waterfront site for lavish facility

SOUTH PORTLAND – A developer’s plans for a grand hotel and convention center complex on the South Portland waterfront was met with gasps and chuckles at a public meeting.

New York-based developer John Cacoulidis envisions twin 635-foot hotel towers, a convention center and two hospitals – for general and plastic surgery – on the 22-acre parcel. The development would include a marina for cruise ships and a 300-foot-high cable car system to whisk visitors across Portland Harbor.

The hotel would be the tallest building in Maine and the largest hotel in New England and New York.

Many people who attended the Thursday meeting hosted by the Ferry Village Neighborhood Conservation Association and the Willard Neighborhood Association told Cacoulidis his project was too big and too metropolitan.

“This would totally commercialize our wonderful little neighborhood,” Ferry Village resident Jonathan Raymond said to Cacoulidis. “The sheer magnitude of this project shows me nothing but arrogance.”

But some residents, including Doug Uraneck of Willard Beach, expressed support for Cacoulidis’ project.

“It’s absolutely, incredibly wonderful,” he said, noting that building up rather than out is a good way to keep sprawl in check.

City officials saw Cacoulidis’ plans in October and recommended he meet with the public before making a formal proposal. The project would require zoning changes from the planning board and City Council.