Community Development Committee paper

Orono- The Community Development Committee Meeting held on Wednesday April 21 began with discussion of the Deep Cove, LLC Draft Option Agreement which is scheduled to become obsolete on June 30. A third generation action agreement is in discussion, and is almost completed. The committee is hoping to have this agreement completed by June 30 in time with the closing of the Options Agreement.

David Lloyd an architect known around the state headed the discussion with the panel for the design for the new condos. He feels the condos could be more efficiently made by tearing down the old mill, and constructing a new condominium in its place. The mill was not designed to be a condominium, and many of the structural features would not be well of efficiently adaptable for the new specifications. First the plumbing and wiring would not be stacked. In apartment buildings bathrooms and sinks are place in line so as to use fewer materials, and to make maintenance and installation easier. This would not be the case with the mill as it is designed to independent specifications for each room. The old mill design would not allow for double loaded corridors, think hotel. This greatly reduces the efficiency of building in terms of available space for rooms. The mill was also not designed with the landscape in mind. With the current structure the condos would receive a great view of the parking lot instead of the river.

The new design would have two styles of condos one being a more inexpensive option. The difference in the apartments is based on living space and the views. The more expensive condos feature 1500 square feet while the cheaper units offer 900. The more expensive units also feature two sides with views as they are located on the corners of the complex while the efficiencies are located in the middle offering only one side with a view. Both style condos will feature a porch and two bedrooms. The complex is designed to offer twenty-four suites. Sixteen of which will be the more costly units while eight are planned to be of the efficiency style.

Constructing these condominiums will help to clean up a hazardous brown field, and bring money into Orono in the long run. The initial construction of the complex will be costly however the money will be made back.