Volume CXXXIII, Number 6 October 19, 2001 f

Brunswick improves downtown environs
FE VIVAS
STAFF WRITER

Bustling Maine Street on a weekday afternoon. (Henry Coppola, Bowdoin Orient)

Mix months of construction, hardworking private contractors, and $1.2 million and the result is a more pedestrian-friendly downtown Brunswick. The groundwork for this massive improvement plan came about with the formulation and approval of the Downtown Master Development Plan by the Town of Brunswick in 1998.

The areas selected for renovation include Maine Street from the Pleasant Street intersection to the north entrance of Bowdoin College, and lower Maine Street from the Route 1 overpass to Fort Andross. Pleasant Street from the Maine Street intersection to Cushing Street, as well as Park Row, the road parallel to Maine Street, were also chosen for improvement.

The first phase of physical improvements began in May of 2001 after all necessary funds were received as explained by John Foster of Brunswick's Public Works. Changes to the façade of downtown Brunswick included the addition of aesthetic brick sidewalks, attractive granite curbing, resplendent globe-faceted pedestrian lamp posts, novel park benches, additional greenery, (including trees and bushes) and new municipal signs lining the downtown streets.

The goal of this two-phase project was to create "An enhanced pedestrian environment downtown" as Theo Holtwijk, Brunswick Director of Planning and Development, pointed out.

The Brunswick Intown Group helped lead the campaign to beautify downtown Brunswick by pledging to raise 20% of the $1.2 million budget. This membership-based organization of merchants and nonprofit groups raised $200,000 from 35 businesses and institutions in Brunswick.

As confirmed by William Torrey, the Vice President for Planning and Development at Bowdoin, the college donated $75,000 of the $200,000 over a five-year period. Torrey noted that the downtown improvements are of special interest to the college because of the increased accessibility and safety that the changes bring to the town of Brunswick where Bowdoin is so comfortably nestled. David Millar, Chairman of the Brunswick Intown Group fundraising campaign, stated that, "We wanted to connect the town to the college."

The changes should be complete in three weeks according to Public Works. Next spring, the town of Brunswick will undergo the final stage of the plan-the installment of new traffic signals-which are set to cost about $60,000. To see the beautifully altered downtown area, simply step off campus and down Maine Street to see all that Brunswick has to offer.