BRUNSWICK

Steve Levesque, the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority’s executive director, said he is looking forward to a busy 2015 in terms of redevelopment at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station, even as the rate of which property is leased or sold slows.

The absorption rate — the rate at which available property is sold — will likely decrease in 2015, said Levesque. That’s because many of Brunswick Landing’s major buildings are now occupied, he said.

MRRA sold about $9 million worth of property in 2014.

“We’re ahead of our goals,” Levesque said. “We have a lot of major buildings that are either sold or leased. Our absorption rate will decrease a little as we have fewer properties to lease.”

Levesque said he is looking for additional tenants to occupy Hangar 5 at Brunswick Executive Airport. About 80,000 square feet of the 165,000-square-foot building is available for rent.

The 60,000-square-foot Hangar 4 will undergo significant renovations in 2015 that will include a new roof, lighting, paint, and repairs to the hangar doors. The renovations represent a significant investment.

“All told, it’s a couple of million dollars,” said Levesque.

The director confirmed reports that about 10 companies are looking to move to Brunswick Landing as part of TechPlace, a “technology accelerator” in which small businesses and micro-businesses can share resources and spaces.

Levesque said he would be announcing specific businesses that will be locating at TechPlace, due to open later this month, in the coming days.

MRRA will be dealing with challenges in the coming year, owing to old buildings that aren’t energy inefficient and are expensive to heat, and those that do not conform to — and are not grandfathered into — Brunswick’s code.

“We have aging infrastructure, water, and sewer lines, and the electrical system. Some of that stuff has been around 70 years,” said Levesque.

Looking ahead, there are “a number of development projects,” said Levesque. He said he was unable to divulge the name of new companies that are showing interest in locating at the former base. However, he was able to confirm that the companies were in aerospace and energy, which are MRRA target sectors.

Also in 2015, the Priority Group of Topsham will continue spearheading developments along the Brunswick Landing entrance along Bath Road.

Existing businesses also have expansion plans, including Tempus Jet Centers LLC’s aircraft repair and completion business, which set up shop in part of Hangar 6 in 2013.

The nature of the expansion will “depend on certain contracts” being pursued, said Levesque.

SaviLinx, which runs a contact center at the former base’s command center, is also poised for expansion, said Levesque.

Kestrel Aircraft Company, which has had trouble in the past with funding and reportedly had problems with paying its rent and its employees on time, may also see employment growth as well in 2015, according to Levesque.

Going to grow?

EXISTING BUSINESSES also have expansion plans, including Tempus Jet Centers LLC’s aircraft repair and completion business, which set up shop in part of Hangar 6 in 2013.

SAVILINX, WHICH RUNS a contact center at the former base’s command center, is also poised for growth.

KESTREL AIRCRAFT COMPANY, which has had trouble in the past with funding and reportedly had problems with paying its rent and its employees on time, may also see employment growth as well in 2015.

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