The possible purchase of 23 acres on Route 202 near the rotary should come as a comforting relief to Windham Town Hall employees who daily toil under cramped and crowded conditions there. Small offices and little space for records are just a few of the daily challenges town hall employees face. For sure, a visit to the Town Hall will allay any taxpayer’s fears that municipal taxes are being wasted on luxurious workspaces.

But while the purchase of 23 acres in the center of town may be a potential relief to local government, it’s a future commercial opportunity that may be lost forever if the town buys the land.

The choice here is a tough one for councilors. The land is centrally located and could be of great interest to future commercial development if the zone were changed from farm to commercial. Taxes derived from such enterprises could be lucrative for Windham. But if the goal is to build new and improved town facilities, should the town pass up this opportunity to improve working conditions by upscaling their facilities?

The cost of the land – $400,000 – really isn’t the issue. If the town needs to buy land, land prices won’t come cheap in this brave new real estate market. The town, as it grows in population, also grows in its number of employees, and something needs to be done to give them a better working environment.

But while needs are obvious and immediate, the town shouldn’t purchase land for its own use that could, and probably would, be bought by local companies or national chains wanting to move to the highly lucrative Lakes Region/Greater Portland market. It may take another 20 years before the rotary area becomes another economic center of Windham. Actually, it’s surprising the crossroads isn’t more of a hot spot. But, if the town buys the land, it’s certain that the acreage would remain public and forever out of reach for expanding business. Surely, it’s a tough choice for a town whose stated goal is easing the residential tax burden by increasing economic development.

(By the way, the town should be commended for not halting the natural progress of economic development. Lowe’s, Home Depot, Shops at Sebago and Lavalley Lumber are proof-positive that the town is allowing the market to expand, thereby naturally decreasing the residential tax burden.)

So, is it simply a capitalist’s dream that the land – mostly open land – will someday be developed commercially? Sure, everyone would love to see it remain natural fields but that is only a pipe dream with the way Greater Portland is exploding. With that said, obviously no one has bought the land yet. Peter Forbes, ERA Today’s listing agent for the parcel, can attest to that. Surely, it’s not the best place to build luxury or middle-income homes because it’s near big business and fast traffic. Some parts of town are never going to attract residential developers, and this 23-acre parcel is probably one.

But, while local government is bursting at its seams, so is Windham business. Business is booming in Windham and it needs a place to expand. The rotary is a perfect crossroads for new economic development, and 23 acres is a good starting place.

While the town’s purchase may be tempting, in theory a municipality should not purchase land in prime locations, except in the case of an emergency services building. Rather than place town offices in locations that could be developed by commercial or private entities, town offices, schools and other such municipally owned buildings should be located in parts of town away from the commercial sector. Manchester School on busy Route 302 in the commercial district is a good example of a municipal property out of place with its surroundings.

So, as the Windham Town Council contemplates the purchase of this centrally located acreage, decision-makers should keep in mind that what the town gains in useable acreage will be offset by a restricted business sector and ultimately a restriction of potential commercial tax revenues.

John Balentine

editor

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