BIDDEFORD — The city is one step closer to the redevelopment of the site of the former Maine Energy Recovery Company waste-to-energy incinerator.

On Tuesday, in a unanimous vote, the Biddeford City Council approved awarding a contract for a market feasibility study to Camoin Associates. The study will be used “to determine the highest and best use of the city-owned property located within the Mill District Redevelopment area,” according to Economic Development Director Daniel Stevenson.

With the redevelopment of that site, city officials and others hope it will jump-start the revitalization of the city’s downtown and mill district, and breathe new life and opportunity to this former mill town.

In 2012, Biddeford acquired the Maine Energy property, and in 2013, the incinerator and associated buildings ”“ except for the exhaust stack ”“ were demolished. The final stages of site clean-up should be completed later this year.

As the site is nearing readiness for development, on April 9, the city put out a national request for proposals for a firm to conduct a market study, which were due May 16.

A selection committee interviewed four of the five lead proposals. At a cost of $99,000 to conduct the six-month study, Camoin wasn’t the lowest bidder, said Stevenson. However, he said, the firm’s proposal addressed all of the criteria, which not all applicants did; it was the most comprehensive proposal, and the company has exceptional experience in conducting such studies.

Camoin scored highest among the committee in both the written proposal and interview, said Stevenson.

“They just knocked it out of the park,” he said.

Camoin is the only applicant with a Maine presence, added Stevenson; the company has an office in Scarborough, as well as Vermont and New York.

The goal of the study is to determine what the best development opportunities are for the site, that will provide the best financial gain for the city, said Stevenson. Camoin will provide the city with information on what types of projects will work in Biddeford and what type of return they will bring in, as well as the fiscal impact on the city for use of city services and infrastructure investments. It will also provide guidance on how to implement its recommendations to get investors into Biddeford.

“We’re really looking forward to working with Biddeford, “ said Camoin co-owner Jim Damicis, who is based in Scarborough.

He said he knows the city and recognizes the former Maine Energy property is a “key site” in the city. The job of his firm, said Damicis, “is to look at the potential of the site” as well as take into account what residents want to see there.

Initially, he said, his firm will come up with five development proposals that would work, whether it be housing, manufacturing, retail, or mixed use. At that point, said Damicis, the public will be asked for their input on which of the five proposals they like best, or if they have other ideas.

Finally, two proposals will be developed in-depth.

Part of the job will also be to talk to investors and gauge their level of interest, said Damicis.

He said his company has done this type of work for both the public and private sector. The study should provide development options for the city, said Damicis, as long as there is “a willingness to make the right kind of investments” to attract investors.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or [email protected].