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Groundbreaking for Mill Park in Augusta
The Capital Riverfront Improvement District broke ground
for Phase I of the Mill Park on Friday, June 16th at 10am at the
Mill Park site on lower Water Street. Guests included Mayor Dowling,
City Manager Bill Bridgeo, and Senator Libby Mitchell.
The Mill Park is being developed
on the former site of the Edwards Mill textile factory and dam. The
historic decision to remove the dam in 1999 has resulted in the return of a
number fish species to the Kennebec River, including Atlantic salmon, shad,
and sturgeon. The removal of the dam has also helped to improve water quality
along the river.
Phase 1 of the park will include the rebuilding and paving
of Canal Street, which bisects the park, along with sidewalks, period-style
lighting, and granite curbing, as well as the creation of a hand-carry boat
access ramp. Funding for this project has been made
possible by the Maine Department of Transportation, the Maine Department of
Conservation, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the City of Augusta, and
the Capital Riverfront Improvement District.
CRID was created in 1999 by Private
& Special Law 1999, chapter 58, to encourage increased access to and
public use of the Kennebec River and revitalization of downtown Augusta and
to foster a local-state partnership that coordinates and shares resources to
the benefit of Maine’s capital city and Maine citizens. The CRID
Governing board is comprised of representatives from state government, city
government, and the greater Augusta community. It is
staffed and administered by the Maine Development Foundation, a statewide
nonprofit organization dedicated to long-term, sustainable economic growth
for Maine.
Thank you to everyone who continues to make this project a
success.
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(left to right) City Councilor Sylvia Lund, City
Manager Bill Bridgeo,
Senator Beverly Daggett, Mayor William Dowling,
Dale McCormick, Senator Libby Mitchell
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