Council to decide if town should negotiate with developer

BRUNSWICK — The town could end up holding the keys to the 2,100-square-foot train station and welcome center at the $23 million Maine Street Station project.

Brunswick is already a partner in the project, having committed more than $2 million to infrastructure costs, as well as an estimated $35,000 to sublet space from Bowdoin College for meeting space.

Despite those commitments, the council’s Maine Street Station Oversight Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend beginning negotiations with JHR Development to become the master tenant of a train station that’s banking heavily on the planned 2010 extension of Amtrak Downeaster service.

The Town Council on Monday, April 6, will decide whether to begin negotiations.

The Downeaster extension is not a sure thing, largely because of uncertainties surrounding its substantial operating subsidy from the federal government. If the town becomes master tenant, the unpredictable outcome of Amtrak funding could play a crucial role in the town’s ability to sublet space to tenants hoping to fill out what is supposed to be multi-modal hub.

On Wednesday, acting Town Manager Gary Brown told the oversight committee that JHR Development has five preliminary letters of intent to lease space at the station. The potential lessors include Coastal Trans, Hertz Car Rental, Maine Eastern Railroad and the Brunswick Downtown Association.

While the Brunswick Downtown Association has expressed interest in becoming a tenant regardless of the Downeaster, some committee members are worried transportation organizations may not be as accommodating.

“What if the train doesn’t come?” Councilor Ben Tucker asked. “How do we manage that risk?”

John Gerard, of the Brunswick Development Corp., said the town could seek a termination clause for the lease if the Downeaster doesn’t arrive. However, such a clause could be a sticking point with JHR, which is eager to sign tenants for the project.

“If the train is delayed or doesn’t come, and the town’s sitting there renting empty space, a lot of people will have eggs on their faces,” Gerard said.

While the town’s cost of leasing the space hasn’t been drafted, Brown indicated there could be a gap between what it pays to be the master tenant and what the potential sublessors have already negotiated with JHR. Brown estimated the gap could be between $10,000 and $15,000.

The BDC, however, could ensure that taxpayers won’t be responsible for filling that gap. The board is comprised mostly of town staff. Both Gerard and Steve Weems, the citizen representatives on the board, on Wednesday endorsed using the funds.

“I strongly support this being controlled by the town on the premise that there’s strong public interest in the train and the train station,” Weems said, “to have a space that the town controls and can brand … to promote the welfare of the downtown.”

Resident Marji Greenhut questioned the town assuming all the risk, especially since JHR stood to profit as much from the Downeaster’s arrival as anyone.

But councilors on the committee believed town control of the station would present significant opportunities.

“To be blunt, even if there’s a funding gap, I’m willing to support this,” Tucker said. “Maybe we’re not going to make a profit, but the public benefit will more than payback the (gap).”

Brown said taking over the station could energize support for the project – support that’s been waning over the last five months due to cost overruns and delays in federal funding long ago promised to offset taxpayers’ burden.

“I think it would be good if we can reduce some angst over this project,” Brown said.

Later in the meeting, Brown announced another wrinkle. The town previously hoped to secure a $500,000 grant to repave the state Department of Transportation parking lot on Cedar Street. But on Monday, Brown said that he’d received an informal communication from DOT that the money isn’t coming.

While the Planning Board approved the Maine Street Station site plan without the Cedar Street lot, inadequate parking could hinder tenant attraction both for the town and JHR. Hertz, brown said, requires 15 parking spots for its rental fleet.

Parking could also determine passenger use of the Downeaster.

“We need to meet this challenge somehow,” Brown said, adding that the town is exploring alternative parking sites. He declined to disclose where those sites are.

Steve Mistler can be reached at 373-9060 ext. 123 or smistler@theforecaster.net.

 

 

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BRUNSWICK — Mike Ouellet, president of the Brunswick Economic Development Corp. and the lead contractor for the Maine Street Station project, announced his resignation Wednesday from the development group.

He cited conflict of interest allegations that he said are untrue, but that are damaging the quasi-governmental organization.

Ouellet is the owner of Ouellet Associates, a general contracting firm that last summer won the construction contract for the $23 million Maine Street Station development. In addition to serving on the BEDC, which advises the Town Council on economic development matters, Ouellet was also appointed to a council subcommittee for Maine Street Station.

Ouellet resigned his committee post prior to obtaining the project’s construction contract, but several residents and at least two town councilors have suggested his involvement constitutes a conflict of interest.

In his letter to BEDC vice-president Steve Weems, Ouellet again referenced his perceived conflict.

“I am convinced my membership may have hindered the work of this board and may continue to do so with my presence on this board,” Ouellet wrote in his resignation letter to BEDC Vice President Steve Weems. “The mission of this group is too important to hinder its work.”

He wrote that he could “personally endure these personal attacks but will no longer allow them for any of the members on this BEDC board.”

He said that as long as he sits on the BEDC, the “shadow of doubt will not pass” and would hinder the organization’s future efforts.

Ouellet added that Maine Street Station “has and continues to be near and dear to my heart and for the financial gains some like to imply.” He said his resignation will make it “crystal clear” that no appearance of a conflict is left.

Ouellet’s resignation came two days after a Town Council workshop, during which organizations similar to the BEDC from nearby communities were invited to share their experiences in economic development. It was billed as a brainstorming session, but it was spawned largely because last year a council majority believed it was time for the town to evaluate the role of the BEDC, an organization that some residents believes gives preferential treatment to projects that benefit its members.

While Monday’s workshop was mostly calm, a question toward the end by Councilor Karen Klatt, a persistent critic of the BEDC, appeared to rile Ouellet, who was sitting in the audience. After the meeting, Ouellet was seen speaking with Klatt. He was then seen speaking with acting Town Manager Gary Brown.

Brown declined to discuss his conversation with Ouellet.

On Wednesday, Weems, who was also at Monday’s workshop, said he wanted to speak with Ouellet before commenting on Ouellet’s resignation from the BEDC.

Ouellet’s letter said he would be out of town Wednesday. He could not be reached before press time.

Steve Mistler can be reached at 373-9060 ext. 123 or smistler@theforecaster.net

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