Brewer waterfront project funds nearly in place

BREWER – Revitalizing Brewer’s waterfront was the primary topic at back-to-back meetings Monday, one that concerned the shorefront stabilization project and the other the children’s garden project.

At a 5 p.m. meeting of the Penobscot Landing advisory committee, Economic Development Director Andrew “Drew” Sachs announced that funding is mostly in place for the shorefront stabilization project, the first phase of the city’s ambitious plan to revitalize its riverfront.

The U.S. Senate recently approved an additional $250,000 for the Brewer shorefront stabilization project, bringing the total to $3.25 million in state, local and federal funds. In addition, Brewer has contributed $200,000 for stabilization work expected to begin within a few weeks. Shorefront stabilization is needed to arrest further shoreline erosion along the banks of the Penobscot River.

The plan calls for stabilizing the first 600 feet of shorefront from October to December. The area is in front of the Muddy Rudder restaurant and the old Bangor Box Factory on South Main Street. The project will be picked up again next July. The goal is to complete the stabilization by early to mid fall of 2004 if no construction problems occur.

The second phase of the plan, building an imaginative children’s garden, drew about 30 residents to the second meeting Monday at Brewer City Hall.

Children, schoolteachers, parents, the Brewer school superintendent and city officials attended a presentation of plans for the $100,000 project that will be located on a 1-acre plot behind the Dead River Co. at 103 South Main St. Landscape architect Paul Brody of WBRC Architects/Engineers described to them a plan for a midtown oasis geared to children in kindergarten through fifth grade that is 80 percent complete. The design includes a variety of lush plants, landscaping, a waterfall and pond, and a hedge maze. A bridge and island, donated to the city by Dead River, are located near the children’s garden, but plans for that area are not final.

The garden develops from a play area featuring a rose garden, a secret garden and other items into more structured educational areas including the hedge maze, woodland gardens and an area labeled “education gardens.”

Suggestions from the audience included keeping the plants in all of the gardens true to Maine. One woman suggested roses were high-maintenance flowers that drew Japanese beetles, but Harvey Sprague of Sprague’s Nursery said roses are hardy plants. He said a funded maintenance plan is included in the children’s garden plan.

City Councilor Michael Celli asked whether seating was planned for a presentation area. Brody said no seating was planned, but the idea will be considered.

No restrooms are planned for the children’s garden, an announcement that drew chuckles from some in the audience who suggested such an area be provided, but a restroom will be nearby.

The children’s garden will be gated in case private functions are planned, but it will not be separate from a planned hiking path.

Further information on the riverfront revitalization may be obtained by contacting Brewer City Hall.