Saco contemplates plan for downtown gateway

Staff from Saco’s public works, economic development and planning departments, along with city administration, are looking at ways to create a possible gateway into the city.

Public Works Director Patrick Fox and Planning Director Emily Cole-Prescott presented to the city council on Monday night a concept plan for enhancements along the stretch of Main Street that runs from Biddeford along Saco Island.

With a new condominium project that will bring in 24 townhouses on the east side of Saco Island in the works, the city is working with the developer of the project to get a traffic light, said Fox. City staff has been working on a concept that would slow traffic down in the area and accommodate all modes of transportation, he said.

Proposed changes include narrowing traffic lanes and creating traffic islands to slow down traffic, creating bike lanes and updating landscaping and lighting. 

“One of the goals of this is to make it feel like when you’re driving, you’re entering a slower area where pedestrians may be,” said Cole-Prescott.

Cole-Prescott said the plan still needs further evaluation from the planning board. Fox said if the city decides to move forward with the plan, it could be funded by a future bond, TIF funds, or completed in phases.

Councilor Nathan Johnston said while he appreciated the city trying to accommodate different modes of transportation, he couldn’t envision narrowing the road, given the amount of traffic in the area.

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