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November 14, 2018

Saco considers ConvenientMD clinic proposal

Courtesy / ConvenientMD ConvenientMD, which opened this Westbrook branch in 2017, has submitted plans to Saco to build an urgent-care center at 506 Main St., currently the site of Rosa Linda's Family Restaurant.

The city of Saco is considering plans for construction of an urgent-care health center at 506 Main St., currently the site of Rosa Linda’s Family Restaurant.

ConvenientMD, based in Portsmouth, N.H., wants to demolish the restaurant and build a 5,000-square-foot clinic on the parcel, according to documents submitted to the City Council last week.

But first, the council would have to approve a contract that allows several deviations from current zoning for the 0.6-acre parcel, along a busy stretch of U.S. Route 1 and across from several fast-food restaurants.

ConvenientMD’s plans call for a 15-foot front setback, rather than the minimum of 40 feet; a building height of 43 feet, rather than the maximum of 35 feet; and building signage of 375 square feet, more than double the permitted size.

Planning Board staff have recommended approval of the contract zone, but a public hearing and council vote would be required for passage.

ConvenientMD operates nine clinics in New Hampshire and opened two Maine branches, in Portland and Westbrook, in 2017. The company also recently built a Bangor clinic, at 543 Broadway, which is scheduled to officially open today.

The urgent-care centers are open seven days a week, and offer treatment for many common illnesses and injuries without the need for an appointment. The company says its care is also more affordable for patients.

“We’ve seen an extremely positive response from the community in southern Maine since opening our Portland and Westbrook clinics last year,” said CEO Max Puyanic in a news release announcing Wednesday’s Bangor opening.

“Maine is a large state, and it’s important to us that patients located in other parts of the state have access to what ConvenientMD offers. We plan to deliver the same quality of care experienced at all of our locations to Bangor-area residents.”

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