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City of Lewiston, ME Riverfront Island Master Plan Committee Goody Clancy May 2012 riverfront island master plan summary ---PAGE BREAK--- riverfront island master plan 2 A quiet renaissance is underway along Lewiston’s downtown riverfront. Over the last ten years, both Lewiston and Auburn’s central areas have begun to reorient themselves to face the Androscoggin River. A great river, once harnessed to produce the power that drew industry to the twin cities, can now again be the spark that defines the communities. The riverfront can become the region’s great urban destination, a place for recreation, cultural activities, work and urban living. Recent successes Despite severe economic headwinds, much has been accomplished in recent years. Collaborative partnerships involving public, private and non- profit entities—and a shared commitment to supporting reinvestment in the community— have drawn new businesses and destinations to Lewiston-Auburn. Riverfront Island, a pivotal area within the city’s downtown riverfront, has come to host more than 1,000 jobs within the Bates Mill Complex, where high-quality restoration has attracted major office uses, destination restaurants, a brewery, a medical office, and new loft-style housing now under construction. At the same time, new cultural destinations and outdoor spaces are also bringing activity to the Riverfront Island area. A former church now houses the Franco-American Heritage Center, a performance venue that draws thousands to the area each year. Museum L-A, a dynamic non-profit devoted to telling the 200 year story of work and community in Lewiston-Auburn, has begun to design their new home—a modern museum space on the River’s edge that will incorporate portions of a former mill building. Once an abandoned rail yard, Simard-Payne (Railroad) Park is now a major public space along the River, and home to the annual Great Falls hot air Balloon Festival. A former rail bridge is now a pedestrian and bike bridge, linking Simard-Payne Park in Lewiston to Bonney Park in Auburn, and providing striking views of the River. A Lewiston-Auburn Riverwalk has begun to take shape on the Auburn side of the River, and paths have been established along portions of the Lewiston riverfront as well. overview ---PAGE BREAK--- riverfront island master plan 3 A few blocks from the riverfront, new businesses and restaurants have begun to appear on Lisbon Street, Lewiston’s “Main Street.” Ongoing challenges The success of recent years has created a solid foundation for the area, but not yet a strong, vibrant urban riverfront destination. The downtown riverfront needs a critical mass of more housing, public amenities, and jobs—both to improve quality of life and to support economic development that extends beyond the riverfront and benefits the center cities of both communities. Today, Riverfront Island’s largely untapped assets— scenic Great Falls, miles of waterfront land, a canal network, and roughly 1 million square feet of still- vacant mill buildings—hold the keys to the area’s continued resurgence. This plan identifies the next steps in Lewiston’s renaissance, and outlines a vision for the future of Riverfront Island as the urban riverfront destination for the community and the region. The plan identifies both the key near- and longer-term steps that will advance this vision. shared vision Through extensive analysis and public discussion a common vision has emerged for Riverfront Island as an urban, recreation-oriented destination that: • Features a mix of activities and uses, includ- ing significant new housing, open space, stores, offices, restaurants, and a hotel—all with strong connections to the River and the Lisbon Street area. • Serves as a cultural center and destination for the Lewiston-Auburn community and for the broader region. • Celebrates Lewiston’s many assets, including the Androscoggin River, the canal network, and the historic architecture. goals Four closely related goals guide this master plan: 1) Tap the power of the River through development of a Riverwalk and improved water access to enhance quality of life and to support economic development. 2) Attract a vital mix of uses, including housing, through continued reuse of historic buildings and thoughtful new development that bring new life and activity to the area. 3) Make the district more walkable to ensure that Riverfront Island functions as a cohesive urban destination where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. 4) Insist on quality in both public and private in- vestment—to attract desired businesses, residents, and visitors, and so that the riverfront grows as a place the L-A community can take pride in. Waterfront access at Simard-Payne Park creates a new community destination. The canal can become a true amenity along Oxford Street, attracting new people and residential development to the edges of the park. ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 Existing Auburn Riverwalk Riverwalk overlook at Falls New Riverwalk link below Main Street Bridge Existing boat launch New Lincoln Street hotel Destination playground within park New amphitheatre, water steps and boat launch in Simard-Payne Park; kayak rental; bank fishing New Simard- Payne Park connection to Lincoln Street Continental Mill reuse as housing Possible kayak launch/ rental facility New Riverwalk along Continental Mill/ Museum L-A Expand use of the River Retail/civic use on redeveloped Bates Mill #5 site New Canal Park with performance area Possible bridge over Upper Canal Expansion of Lincoln Street garage New Canal Walk connection links River to Lisbon Street Create Canal Walk and plant trees along walkways New restaurant at Depot building Incorporate new retail/ commercial infill on Lincoln Street Continued use of Hill Mill for craft businesses/light industry Expansion of Chestnut Street garage Master Plan Summary Event / food venues Future home of Museum L-A Enhance Simard- Payne Park; maintain flexibility of use for programs/events Infill housing along Oxford Street Streetscape improvements along Oxford Street and Lower Canal; new bridges Overlook Great Falls New office/institutional development at Island Point Main Street streetscape improvements Add bike lane to bridge; reduce vehicular traffic to two lanes Franco- American Heritage Center Narrow Cedar Street and add bike lanes Allow two-way traffic on Cedar between Canal and Lisbon Streets; explore allowing left turns from Cedar to Lisbon Reuse of Dominican Block for office/ mixed-use riverfront island master plan Tap the Power of the River • Create a continuous Riverwalk. • Make Simard-Payne a true waterfront park—with improved amenities and stronger connections to the water and surrounding streets. • Advance development of Museum L-A as a waterfront anchor. Attract a Mix of Uses • Add a critical mass of housing. • Lincoln Street—focus area for new retail and commercial uses; move forward with new hotel. • Oxford Street—new housing mixed with arts/cultural and open space amenities. • Canal Street—reestablish trees and create a gracious green corridor. Make the District More Walkable • Create a Canal Walk network. • Improve Oxford Street as a walkable place. • Narrow Cedar Street to three lanes and incorporate bike lanes. Insist on Quality • Use design guidelines to shape new development and rehabilitation. elements of the vision