A rendering of what Westbrook Common will generally look like, incorporating sitting spaces, a recreation area and space for entertainment and other events. File photo
WESTBROOK — Officials expect to seek bids for the $1.2 million Westbrook Common project by the end of the month with the goal of finishing the revamp of the downtown park before next winter.
The project, first proposed in 2002, aims to turn the little-used common area off Main Street and in between Mechanic and Church streets into a visible and vibrant downtown destination. Plans call for new seating, a stage for live entertainment and spaces for programs like Yoga classes or food truck nights.
The city is awaiting final details from the engineering firm Milone and Macbroom, City Project Manager Robyn Saunders said.
“As soon as we receive these final bid specs, solicitation of construction bids for Westbrook Common can be expected within two weeks,” Saunders said. “We hope to provide contractors at least four weeks to prepare bids for Westbrook Common in the months of February or March.”
The city wants the park project completed before work begins nearby on the five-story Vertical Harvest project, which is expected to break ground this summer with significant work getting underway as the Common work wraps up.
“The goal is to have the majority of construction done on Westbrook Common during the 2021 construction season, while Vertical Harvest construction will span at least two years (through 2022),” Saunders said.
“I am very excited for this, I think it’ll bring a lot of traffic and revive the downtown a bit,” Sarem Al-Shawk said, co-owner of Istanbul Bakery on the Common. “It’ll bring in some opportunities for us, it’ll be a good place to go for people out and about. Other than the parks, there’ll be a new option.”
Saunders said a few snags in the city’s plans are possible.
“Rapidly escalating construction costs are one factor that could possibly slow down any City project, but especially the Westbrook Common project. Another factor that could slow progress is the complexity of underground utilities in this area,” she said.
Both the Common project and the Vertical Harvest project require a significant amount of underground utility work and coordination, she said.
“There is a very complex network of utilities and electrical supply lines that need to be carefully considered under Westbrook Common. Although the majority of the Westbrook Common budget will be spent on utility upgrades, this will allow the city to meet present and future demands in Downtown Westbrook. The same is true for the Vertical Harvest project,” Saunders said.
In particular, she said, a brick storm drain from the 1800s could pose some difficulties, as could a number of abandoned sewer connections dating back to when the Common was built in the 1970s.
No taxpayer money is slated to be used for the Westbrook Common revamp. Among the funding is $400,000 from the Westbrook Environmental Improvement Corp. and $300,000 from the Cornelia Warren Foundation.
Future sales of some city property should bring in another $100,000, Economic Development Director Dan Stevenson said.
When construction is complete, Northeast Credit Union has pledged a $25,000 donation for programs and entertainment.
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