Maine Downtown Conference held in Biddeford and Saco

City Theater in Biddeford was buzzing with activity Thursday morning as attendees from the 2024 Maine Downtown Conference picked up their registration packets, mixed and mingled and grabbed coffee and a snack before heading to a workshop.

About 170  economic development professionals and municipal leaders from around the state came to the conference. For those who came early, there were riverfront and historic tours of Saco on Wednesday, followed by a social event at Pacifico restaurant.

Thursday, workshops were held at locations scattered through downtown Biddeford, followed by a tour of the mills and a social hour at the Lincoln Hotel.

One morning session held at Biddeford City Hall Council Chambers focused on how to make downtown a place for everyone.

Panel member Tae Chong of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce said that downtowns need public, welcoming spaces where people linger and talk with each other. He said while business owners need to find ways to help make downtowns more inviting, public art can also be a good way to get people talking with each other and remove the silos that isolate and divide people.

“I believe Main Street is that place in every town in this state where you can find a way to get people to linger and talk about something in common,” he said.

Workshop participant George Lapointe, mayor of Hallowell, said communities need to have “growth with intention,” with adequate affordable housing so residents who have lived there for generations are not priced out of their hometowns.

Later that morning, in a session on building community spaces held at McArthur Library, participants brain-stormed ways to make local downtown parks more inviting. C.J. Opperthauser of Friends of Congress Square Park noted the importance of seating and amenities like shade umbrellas and Wi-Fi to create a comfortable and vibrant space where people want to hang out and spend time when they are downtown, and not just during a special event like a concert or movie.

Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman and Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail spoke to attendees at an assembly at City Theater after lunch. Downtown areas are vital to communities, representing who they are and offering a sense of pride, said MacPhail.

“You all had a chance to explore, eat and learn all about our area and our two communities on one river, and I hope you enjoyed it. And most of all, I hope that you come back,” she said.

Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.