'Transformational' Westbrook development combines living, parking, urban farm
Courtesy / TDB LLC
A rendering of the multi-use garage, apartment and urban greenhouse farm project planned by TDB LLC and the city of Westbrook for Mechanic Street in Westbrook.
A "transformational" multi-use development that combines parking, apartments and a vertical greenhouse farm and aims to provide jobs and local food is planned for a parking lot site in downtown Westbrook.
An outline of the six-story, 300,000-square-foot development by TDB LLC was approved by the Planning Board Monday night. The proposal includes 419 parking spaces, 50 middle-market apartments and a four-story 70,000-square-foot hydroponic greenhouse. The City Council entered into a memorandum of agreement with TDB in July, with construction expected to begin next year.
"This project establishes a compelling business model for food production, jobs, housing and infrastructure in an urban core that our firm is expanding to other communities throughout New England and the nation and we are very proud that Westbrook will set the standard for others to follow," said Greg Day, TDB president.
The $60 million project is a partnership between TDB and the city. The greenhouse will be operated by Vertical Harvest, of Jackson Hole, Wyo., which has a similar, smaller, urban farm in Wyoming. The project is designed by Portland-based architect and engineering firm Harriman Associates, in partnership with GYDE Architects in Jackson, which was cofounded by Vertical Harvest founder Nona Yehia.
The project Wednesday got a shout-out from Amanda Beal, commissioner of the state Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. "A healthy food economy requires progressive approaches, and I applaud Westbrook for embracing this project," Beal said. "Vertical farming has the potential to become an outstanding complement to traditional Maine agriculture.”
Transformational, catalyst
“This is a transformational project,” said Daniel Stevenson, Westbrook’s economic development director. "Growing produce from a vertical greenhouse in downtown Westbrook demonstrates how diverse the city’s economic development has become."
He said the project will be a catalyst for future innovative development and, in the more immediate future, will increase foot traffic downtown, boosting business.
The apartments will be on two floors above the four-story garage, and the space will include a 13,255-square-foot open air rooftop terrace for residents. Use of the garage will be free, and it will support businesses that are there and attract new ones, planning officials and the developer said. It will add 267 spaces to what now exist in the lot at the site.
The City Council gave initial approval to the plan in July. TDB will pay $40 million for the four-story greenhouse and middle-market apartments, and the city will pay $15 for the parking garage. The city will own the garage, but TDB will be responsible for operation and maintenance. TDB will lease the space for the project from the city.
Stevenson, in June, told the council that the project is considered one structure, and because of the complexity and master plan approach to development of the site, a team of consultants, led by S.W. Cole Engineering, will do the design and engineering work, which will reduce cost redundancies and create a streamlined approach.
Downtown living, urban farming
The greenhouse, operated by Vertical Harvest, will have the capacity to grow and sell 1 million pounds of fresh produce a year, which will be sold in the community. Vertical Harvest owners Yehia and Caroline Estay said at the time the farm will displace imported food, increase food security and quality for the community. The business will buy $1 million a year in supplies from local companies and add up to 60 local jobs, half of which will be targeted for adults with disabilities.
Stevenson said the city is proud of the fact that Vertical Harvest will employ underserved populations and target food insecurity in the area, as well as support local companies with supply purchases and provide premium produce to the region.
Day said the project is intended to be an essential asset to the community. TDB, formerly the Day Brothers, is seeking to develop projects that have long-term social and environmental benefits to communities. The company said it expects the Westbrook development to be a flagship project in its portfolio.
On their website, Vertical Harvest's owners say they're not seeking to replace local organic farms, but that farming has to evolve.
"And not simply due to water and land shortages," the site says. "The increasing frequency of natural disasters and the rising global temperature are putting outdoor agriculture productivity at risk. Vertical farming can contribute to reducing hunger in the future by ensuring a stable and constant supply of food that is not weather-dependent."
The company aims to bring agriculture to urban area, to lower the need for food being imported. "By introducing viable methods to increase their internal food supply, vertical farming can help cities to reduce their negative impact on the environment and become more sustainable and self-sufficient."
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