Civic Center trustees seek bids Panel to request arena proposals

PORTLAND – Trustees for the Cumberland County Civic Center plan to put out a request for additional proposals for a new arena.

Chairman Neal Pratt said the decision to solicit additional bids shows that trustees are not wedded to the sole current proposal, Joseph Boulos’ plan for a new arena and convention center located next to Portland City Hall.

Trustees moved Wednesday to open the process after being criticized for appearing to back Boulos’ proposal before having a competitive bidding process.

“There’s an active and live proposal that Joe Boulos has presented, and the board is excited about. At the same time, we wanted to give anybody else who may have a proposal the opportunity as well,” Pratt said. “We want to make sure this process is wide open and fair.”

How trustees proceed will depend on current efforts to secure some form of public funding through the Legislature. They hope the Legislature will provide a way to finance the project, such as a 1 percent tax on meals and lodging in Cumberland County.

Pratt said his committee will draft a request for proposals to be reviewed by trustees on April 20. He said it’s unclear when trustees might advertise that request, if at all.

In 2003, a special committee recommended building a $60 million arena on the 6.5-acre site that includes a parking lot and property owned by Blethen Maine Newspapers.

Pratt acknowledged that Boulos has a hold on that site, but he said the trustees will consider proposals anywhere in the county.

Boulos’ proposed $245 million development would include a 17-story office building, a 250-room hotel and a parking lot, in addition to an arena.

He’s seeking a public-private partnership: The public would pay for and own the arena and convention center, and Boulos would build the hotel and office tower with private money.

“We’re not excluding anybody,” Pratt said. “While we certainly agree that it is an attractive site, it’s not a foregone conclusion.”