Maine

Maine cities begin to transform decaying retail space into housing

Published

1 year ago

November 18, 2024

Maine cities begin to transform decaying retail space into housing

Augusta’s Kmart plaza, a prime yet fading piece of property in the heart of Maine’s capital city, has sat underutilized and largely vacant for years.

Even those who may pass it daily may not know that it has a commanding view of the State House, which lies only a short walk away. Like in many cities around Maine and around the nation, officials are planning to revitalize the former shopping area as a mixed-use development with 60 market-rate apartments, retail and office space and a hotel.

The old Kmart plaza at 58 Western Avenue in Augusta. Credit: Linda Coan O’Kresik / BDN

“We’re looking at this as a $48.5 million project, which certainly recognizes the importance, the prominence and the potential status of this property,” Keith Luke, Augusta’s economic development director, said. “It has been tremendously underutilized in every sense, and undervalued.”

It’s one of the more prominent early Maine examples of redevelopment in shopping areas, a trend that has taken off in recent years amid changing consumer habits and a deepening housing crisis. If a contract zone for the project is approved, Augusta will join municipalities including Kittery and Brunswick in bringing residents into underused retail space.

“The bottom line is that there’s such a shortage of housing in the state,” Joseph Italiaander, a real estate broker with The Boulos Company focused on the commercial market, said. “Getting creative with where you develop housing has kind of led to retail centers as options.”

In Kittery, a lack of workforce housing for shipyard workers spurred a redevelopment project in its outlet malls. In Bangor, where rentals are just as unaffordable as they are in Portland because of lower incomes and inventory, the city has been trying to get in touch with the owners of its fading mall for years to inquire about turning vacant storefronts into apartments.

The old Kmart plaza in Augusta has sat largely vacant for years. Credit: Linda Coan O’Kresik / BDN

There are few better sites for housing than strip malls, which are often close to the town centers, have existing utility service and lie on public transportation lines. Unless there’s a historic element to these stores, they are most often razed and totally redeveloped rather than repurposed because of their age and because it’s more cost-effective, Luke said.

“These are the areas that we want to promote exactly this type of development in, to make the highest and best use of property that is served by public utilities,” Luke said.

The Augusta project, proposed by developer George Campbell, who told the Kennebec Journal he has an option to purchase the property, would revitalize a nearly 8-acre plaza that Luke said has been underutilized for 15 years. The Kmart closed at the end of 2019, and its space has more recently hosted a seasonal Spirit Halloween store.

These kinds of redevelopment efforts are part of a larger “live, work, play” trend in community development that stands in stark contrast to the suburban sprawl trend of the late 20th century, Italiaander said. People today want rental housing with easy access to neighborhood services, restaurants and amenities.

It’s likely that Maine will see more of these mall redevelopment projects in major cities outside the greater Portland area, including Augusta, Waterville, Lewiston, Auburn and Bangor, Luke said. That’s in large part because there is a lack of available properties in the Portland area, and those that are available are expensive to acquire and redevelop.

The old Kmart plaza in Augusta is being eyed as a mixed-use development with 60 market-rate apartments, retail and office space and a hotel. Credit: Linda Coan O’Kresik / BDN

Italiaander added that these projects are often easier in suburbs, where larger parcels of commercial land are being underused. Despite retail shifting more online in recent years, Italiaander said the sector is still holding up well, which is why these developments are mixed-use and include some retail.

“It’s a sign of strength,” he said. “But housing tends to be a greater need right now in some of these areas.”

Source link

Related Topics:Featured housing surprise

Click to comment

Maine

Potentially deadly virus for dogs is spiking in parts of Maine

Published

2 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Potentially deadly virus for dogs is spiking in parts of Maine

WARREN, Maine (WWTW) – Dog owners are being urged to take steps to protect their pets from a potentially deadly virus.

The Midcoast Animal Emergency Clinic in Warren said on Tuesday that it is seeing a significant increase in canine parvovirus cases throughout the Midcoast and Augusta areas. Clinic staff also said they have been told about possible contamination at Quarry Hill Dog Park in Portland. Our media partner WMTW has reached out to city officials to learn more about the reported contamination there and mitigation efforts.

A spokesperson for the City of Augusta said there had been no formal notification from the state indicating a confirmed outbreak in the area, but that they had heard, anecdotally, of local cases.

The Kennebec Valley Humane Society did temporarily close in November due to an outbreak of parvo.

As of Wednesday, the city was not implementing any closures or restrictions at local dog parks, but officials were developing educational materials to help inform residents about canine parvovirus, including prevention and symptoms to watch for. These resources will be shared on the city’s website, social media channels, and posted at local dog parks.

What is canine parvovirus?

Animal experts say canine parvovirus (CPV, or parvo) is one of the most serious viruses that dogs and puppies can get. It typically causes severe illness in young and unvaccinated dogs. Parvo is spread by contact with contaminated feces. The virus can also live on surfaces that have been contaminated.

Parvo primarily affects the body’s rapidly dividing cells, meaning the intestinal tract and bone marrow are the most affected.

There is no specific cure for parvovirus in dogs and puppies, but there are treatments and vaccination is highly effective at preventing the virus when administered as directed by veterinarians.

In September of 2025, several animals in Houlton tested positive for the virus.

At the time, WMTW reported there had been an increase in cases in Maine since late 2024.

In the fall of 2025, the Eastern Maine Emergency Veterinary Clinic said dogs were being brought into their facility with the disease almost every week.

Puppies are most vulnerable to the virus, but older dogs that are unvaccinated and/or have compromised immune systems are also at risk.

If your dog is experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and extreme lethargy, you are asked to quarantine them from other dogs immediately and seek veterinary attention.

Source link

Maine

Hidden Gem Maine Japanese Restaurant Serves Sushi, Appetizers on Huge Wooden Boats

Published

14 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Press Room

Hidden Gem Maine Japanese Restaurant Serves Sushi, Appetizers on Huge Wooden Boats

How far would you be willing to travel for delicious food or a unique experience? What about both?

There’s a restaurant in Lincoln, Maine, called Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express that you might want to consider visiting.

This small eatery specializes in express-style Japanese dining, boasting a 4.7/5 on Google, but it’s the visually mesmerizing and delicious super-sized sushi and appetizer platter boats that truly stand out.

Sushi Boat at Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express in Lincoln, Maine

Sure, Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express has a variety of foods to choose from when you’re feeling hungry, and there’s even some Chinese and Thai options as well.

But there’s something about ordering a meal that comes served up on a large wooden boat that sets the tone for a truly one-of-a-kind meal.

The Lincoln restaurant has that in both its sushi boat and Tokyo boat.

Let’s just say they are a feast for the eyes and mouth.

Looking at Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express’ menu highlights its sushi boat options, either for one or two, at $86 or $99, respectively. So go big or go home, right?

When Did Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express Open in Lincoln, Maine?

Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express is a relatively new venture, having opened in 2024 in Lincoln.

Right from its grand debut, the restaurant noted on its Facebook page that from “savory Hibachi and Teriyaki to Bento boxes and Sushi, every dish is crafted with fresh ingredients and mouthwatering flavors that will have you coming back for more.”

Not only was there a positive response from the outset, but that excitement for the restaurant has continued today, especially with the incredibly fun boat service loaded with food.

Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express

Here’s just a few recent reviews:

“Great food, friendly service fair prices! Worth the 70 mile round trip! Will be seeing us again!”

“The portions are very generous, the food was very tasty and all ingredients were fresh and well prepared.”

“The man that was there running things and cooking was SO friendly and helpful and hospitable. He kept bringing things out for us to try and talked to us and treated us like family.”

READ MORE: Hit Up All 5 Maine Restaurants Featured on Guy Fieri’s ‘Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives’ for the Ultimate Road Trip

At the end of the day, you could order a normal plate of sushi, or you could go all in and get a super boat of it. Sounds like a drive to this hidden gem location for a special meal seems like an adventure worth setting sail for.

Hungry for some sushi?

40 Maine Restaurants That are Worth a Long Drive to Get to

Thanks to our great listeners we were able to compile a list of many of Maine’s great restaurants, cafes, pubs and bakeries that are worth a long drive to get to.

These great spots can be found across the state and waiting for you to give them a try.

How many have you been to?

Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka