BRUNSWICK

Steve Levesque, executive director of the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, reported robust lease and sales activity at Brunswick Landing and Topsham Commerce Park in a presentation to the board of trustees on Wednesday.

Collectively, there are 734 full-time employees working on the properties, as well as 238 part time. Also, 160 Maine Army National Guardsmen and 124 Marine Reservists are assigned to their respective units at Brunswick Landing.

With recent additions of Wayfair at the former Navy Exchange and growth at SaviLinx, Levesque put the overall job count at more than 1,600 people working at both former Navy properties.

Levesque announced that MRRA has signed a lease with shipbuilder Washburn and Doughty, adding that initially the company was only going to utilize 20,000 square feet of a 32,000-square-foot building, but has since decided to lease the entire space.

So far, MRRA has sold more than 360 acres of land and 38 buildings accounting for more than 500,000 square feet. Levesque said MRRA also has an additional

10,000 square feet and 25 acres of land currently under contract.

Levesque said they are scheduled to close on an additional two buildings and one additional lot, as well as sign a “significant” lease within the next month.

So far, MRRA has received 1,761 acres of the approximately 2,100 acres it has been slated to get from the Navy.

The presence of perfluorinated chemicals identified in soil and water samples is hindering the transfer of more property and, as yet, Levesque said he has no idea when the next transfer will take place — possibly up to a year.

Test results on wells have been encouraging, something Levesque said was due in part to the quick response of the Navy.

Public conveyances of land and buildings have been made or are in the process of being made to Southern Maine Community College, Bowdoin College, the town of Brunswick and Family Focus.

Levesque said all other conveyances at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station and Topsham Annex will be made once environmental clearances are obtained.

Levesque reported that more than 50 percent of non-common space at TechPlace is now occupied, with many companies expanding their presence there. Currently, 30 companies call the 70,000-square-foot office space home.

Levesque told the board that TechPlace continues to exceed expectations in terms of growth and success.

As part of TechPlace, BioWorks has been fully constructed and outfitted as a shared production space for TechPlace members and other businesses.

According to Levesque, a contract has been awarded to complete demolition and begin construction on a new 25,000-square-foot industrial space adjacent to Hangar 4. Construction will be completed by the end of September.

In all, the redevelopment effort over the last four years has fetched more than $300 million in private or public sector investments.

The redevelopment has attracted five major real estate developers to Brunswick Landing and Topsham Commerce Park, with plans to use proceeds from sales to reinvest in both locations in the future, according to Levesque.

dmcintire@timesrecord.com

Numbers tell story

• THERE ARE 734 full-time employees working on the Brunswick Landing and Topsham Commerce Park properties, as well as 238 part time.

• A TOTAL OF 160 Maine Army National Guardsmen and 124 Marine Reservists are assigned to their respective units at Brunswick Landing.

• MRRA HAS SOLD more than 360 acres of land and 38 buildings accounting for more than 500,000 square feet. MRRA also has an additional 10,000 square feet and 25 acres of land currently under contract.

• MORE THAN 50 percent of non-common space at Tech- Place is now occupied, with many companies expanding their presence. Currently, 30 companies call the office space home.

• REDEVELOPMENT EFFORTS over the last four years have fetched more than $300 million in private or public sector investments.