Bridgton residents are invited to continue the process of directing the future of Depot Street with a technical design walking tour to make measurements and learn about the history of the railroad yard.

All Bridgton “citizen urban space designers” are encouraged to join Alan S. Manoian for a technical design walking tour of the Depot Street district. The information gathered on this tour will be used in completing the final Depot Street district conceptual site plan, which will be used to engage and attract the investment of regional land and building developers, commercial real estate brokers, state and federal funding agencies and institutional and business interests.

Interested individuals should meet at the corner of Main Street and Depot Street at the Magic Lantern Theater and Reny’s April 18 at 10 a.m., with good walking shoes, water and a mind for design.

The Depot Street district urban design activities so far proved that the citizens of Bridgton are natural urban space designers. The six design groups produced outstanding urban space design concepts for the future Depot Street district.

By drawing on the best elements of the six design group concepts, Director of Economic and Community Development Manoian has been finalizing a preliminary conceptual design plan for the district. Now that the snow is gone and the street, waterways and building sites are clear and more readily accessible, it is time to engage in measuring, photographing, documenting, understanding and discovering the natural and man-made characteristics of the Depot Street district.

Also, equipped with original 1916 plans of the former Bridgton & Saco River Railroad Yards, including passenger station, freight station, engine house, car house and coal sheds, the group will engage in a preliminary urban archeology site examination at and behind the site of the Bridgton Memorial School. Residents will be surprised to learn of the extent of this once grand railroad yard.

For additional information, contact Manoian at 647-8786.