BRUNSWICK

From Miller Point to Mere Point, from Brunswick Landing to Brunswick Crossing, the year 2016 brought development and set a foundation for change in 2017: Change in the increasing number of businesses opening at the former Naval Air Station; change in the reuse of buildings with the former hotel for Navy personnel and guests converted into senior citizen housing at the Crossing.

Locally and regionally, transportation issues figured prominently in 2016. Western Maine Transportation worked out an agreement in March with the Maine Department of Transportation to take over for longtime bus service provider Coastal Trans. Amtrak increased its presence in Brunswick, though not all residents approved of a train layover facility on Turner Street.

Economic development and infrastructure

Business at Brunswick Landing continued to blossom with e-commerce retailer Wayfair’s February announcement it was opening offices and at least 500 jobs at a Landing address. In March, contact center company SaviLinx set up shop with 200 new jobs to add to its existing 100 employees.

At its annual meeting in November, the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority recognized SaviLinx and Swiss biotech firm InSphero for their innovation.

At year’s end, business diversity continues at the former naval base, with customizable construction debris containment STARC Systems and Skordo spice and herb purveyor at the Landing. A new Irving gasoline station and Rusty Lantern Market recently opened on Bath Road, near the entrance to the former base. Brunswick Property Holdings developed the Cstore and business, after purchasing the land from MRRA. On a health note, a branch of the Bath YMCA opened at the Landing, too.

Building projects are planned elsewhere in Brunswick, including Bowdoin College and at Saint John the Baptist Church.

Brunswick Planning Board approval is paving the way for the college’s first new building in at least a decade. Construction is expected to begin in May 2017 on the Roux Center for the Environment. Barbara and David Roux donated $10 million toward the building’s cost. The church campus plan includes a new events center, a new school building and a 14,685-square foot multipurpose center. Initial costs for the center are $4.8 million.

The environment

Shoreline development or access proved contentious at two Brunswick locations, Miller’s Point and Mere Point. In March, private land owners Robert and Nancy King wanted to develop land they bought in 1999. A heap of debris and clear cutting a swath of trees led to town officials imposing in March a moratorium on shoreline development.

Meanwhile, people supporting the town’s creation of a public park at 946 Mere Point Road, a waterfront property, continue to seek a vote in June 2017 on the property’s future. The town acquired this fall the deed to the Mere Point land after the owner had tax problems.

Education

The Robert P.T. Coffin School celebrated in May its 60th anniversary of educating Brunswick children. A mural created by elementary school students is on display at the Barrows Avenue school. Talk of financing a new school to replace the well-worn Coffin continued and will carry over into 2017. Throughout the year and into December, an estimate to replace the Coffin school with a new grade school on the site of a closed Jordan Acres school is $33.6 million. Renovations are needed at Brunswick Junior High School, for at least $5 million. Both schools are not in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Two warrant articles may appear on a ballot this spring for Brunswick voters. State building financial aid can be applied for and still may be a long shot, town councilors and some school board members discussed in December.

Maine Region Ten Technical High School officials brought local business leaders together March 15 to share the vision of a four-year, all-day comprehensive high school offering academics as well as career and technical education.

Many challenges loom on the horizon for such a school, which could be located near the Southern Maine Community College campus on Brunswick Landing.

Over the summer Nancy Weed was hired as the Region 10 Technical High School director and told The Times Record she’s optimistic about the future direction of the school, as well as its possible new location.

People and anniversaries

The need for homeless or even lonely people to gather during the day prompted the opening in 2010 of The Gathering Place. Now, it has a new home, next to the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention building at 5 Tenney Way.

Union Street’s People Plus marked its 40th anniversary. The center promotes healthy lifestyles and continuing education for older adults. People Plus builds community among residents young and less young with intergenerational activities. Celebrating its 50th year working with children and adults with disabilities is the Independence Association.

Transportation

Since the spring, the green colored Explorer buses can be seen on the roads in Brunswick, after ridership drops resulting from MaineCare changing its transportation to other carriers forced the shutdown of Coastal Trans. Coastal Trans served its ridership for 33 years. Further, town councilors learned more in December about expanding commuter bus service between Portland and Brunswick via the Breez fleet. Schedules and fare requirements would need coordination. And, making the trip to Portland possible in under an hour to encourage ridership.

In late October, completion of the Brunswick layover facility brought cheers and jeers. The facility will protect Amtrak Downeaster commuter trains from harsh weather changes, which will help keep the trains running on time, out of snow and ice. A government oversight committee, supported by state Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, reviewed Turner Street neighborhood concerns of noise and air pollution from the train garage.

In November, the Downeaster from Brunswick Station added a third round-trip to Boston. On Dec. 15, the Downeaster marked 15 years to the day that it began its service between Portland and Boston after Maine voters successfully lobbied for rail restoration along the coast.

Darcie Moore contributed to this report.

lconnell@timesrecord.com