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DevelopME Lunch & Learn – Staying above Water: Navigating the Impacts of Flooding and Sea Level Rise on Real Estate Development

Dec 6, 2024 | Events

3 pictures of flooding, courtesy of SIMPSON GUMPERTZ & HEGER

January 15, 2025 – 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Lunch: 11:30-12:00 pm
Program: 12:00-1:00 pm

In-Person – Pre-registration is required.

Location: 
McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center
35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME

About the Event:

Flooding is one of the nation’s most costly natural hazards, but—despite the risks—construction continues to increase in flood-prone areas. Sea level rise and increased precipitation associated with climate change increase the frequency and severity of coastal and riverine flooding. Even buildings far from the waterfront can be subject to local or urban flooding. Careful planning and design can help reduce the risk of flood damage and minimize the business interruption caused by flood events. In this lunch & learn, we will help attendees understand flood hazards and share options for improving building resistance to flood damage to enhance community resilience. We will summarize the various types of flood hazards, discuss strategies for designing flood damage-resistant buildings, and explore various approaches to flood mitigation.

Meet our Presenters:

Matthew Gilbertson | Senior Technical Manager, SIMPSON GUMPERTZ & HEGER

Matt Gilbertson has diverse experience designing, investigating, and rehabilitating building and non-building structures. He specializes in evaluating flood hazards and designing structures to mitigate flood risk. His projects include designing buildings subject to flooding, evaluating existing facilities for flood risk, designing flood mitigation measures, and consulting on regulatory flood requirements. Matt is a member of Flood Load and Future Conditions subcommittees for ASCE 7-28, “Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures,” and the committee for ASCE 24-24, “Flood Resistant Design and Construction.”

Casey Stevenson | Project Director, SIMPSON GUMPERTZ & HEGER

Casey Stevenson has extensive experience in industrial building and non-building structures, rehabilitation of existing structures, construction engineering, and assessment of structures for flood hazards. He excels in managing complex technical projects and leading multi-disciplinary teams, always striving for collaborative solutions. He specializes in the design and behavior of steel and concrete structures, large equipment supports and foundations, and industrial facilities. His leadership fosters cooperation and design integration, leading to innovative outcomes that exceed client expectations. Committed to advancing the field, his expertise and dedication make him a trusted advisor for complex engineering challenges.

Moderating the program is MEREDA Board Member and co-chair of DevelopME, Gwen Hulit is a Mortgage Loan Officer with U.S. Bank, with lending capabilities in all 50 states. She originates residential mortgages on properties ranging from 1-4 units as primary residences, second homes, and investment properties. Gwen is the Co-Chair of MEREDA’s DevelopME committee and is active with the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute. Gwen lives in her hometown of Falmouth with her husband and daughter.

Ticket Prices:
Member: $35 | Non-Member: $45
Prices increase by $10 after January 8.

Refund Policy: Your RSVP is requested by January 8. Payment is expected at the time of registration. No refunds will be granted to anyone who registers, but fails to attend or who cancels after January 8.

Register HERE!

EVENT PARKING:  Everyone that parks on the USM Campus in the Bedford Street Garage has to use the digital parking system. You can pre-register for your parking session or do it upon arrival. To avoid a parking citation, you must begin your digital parking session – and pay – within 10 minutes of parking.  You can also pre-schedule your session.  

Click Here to Download the Event Parking Instructions.

By purchasing these tickets, you confirm that you have read and understand the Event Parking information provided by the McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center above.

This event in Sponsored by Norway Savings Bank.

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McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME

wed14jan8:30 am10:00 amMEREDA Morning Menu: SAY YES! TO HOUSING8:30 am - 10:00 am McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center, 35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME

Event Details

January 14, 2026 – 8:30 – 10:00 amBuffet Breakfast: 8:30-9:00 amProgram: 9:00-10:00 am Location: McGoldrick Career & Student Success

Event Details

January 14, 2026 – 8:30 – 10:00 am
Buffet Breakfast: 8:30-9:00 am
Program: 9:00-10:00 am

Location: 
McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center
35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME

A Statewide Coalition Ready to Move Hearts, Minds, and Policy – Be in the room where Maine’s housing future is being shaped.

Join us for an energizing, don’t-miss morning with the leaders behind Build Homes, Build Community—the powerful new statewide coalition driving real momentum for pro-housing solutions.  This is your chance for direct access, real conversation, and insider insight into the campaign that’s rapidly becoming one of the most influential forces in Maine’s housing landscape. With the Legislature preparing to vote on critical housing bills, the timing couldn’t be more urgent—or more exciting.

Come ready to learn:
• What this campaign is
• Who is leading it
• How you can play an active role in shaping housing policy statewide

Leave inspired, informed, and equipped to help Maine tackle its most pressing challenge.
________________________________________________________________
Why This Matters — Right Now

“Maine’s housing shortage undermines all our communities and our entire statewide economy,” says Patrick Woodcock, President and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. “This coalition is here to change Maine’s trajectory by implementing pragmatic solutions that unlock housing development and allow our communities—and our people—to thrive.”

Backed by respected statewide leaders including the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition, MEREDA, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, and the Portland Regional Chamber, Build Homes, Build Community is mobilizing Mainers to:

  • Lower the cost of housing construction by reducing unnecessary regulations
  • Encourage communities to welcome housing through targeted assistance
  • Promote convenient connected communities where services are close and Mainers thrive
  • Accelerate permit approvals at the local and state level

Supported by partners such as Lighthouse Credit Union, Kennebec Savings Bank, Zachau Construction, Westbrook Housing Development, Bangor Savings Bank, and many others, the campaign is gaining fast momentum.
________________________________________________________________

Collage of presenters for January 14, 2026 Build Homes Build Community breakfast event.

Panel Participants
• Bev Uhlenhake, Pierce Atwood (Moderator)
• Shannon Richards (Maine Real Estate & Development Association – MEREDA)
• Laura Mitchell (Maine Affordable Housing Coalition – MAHC)
• Patrick Woodcock (Maine State Chamber of Commerce)
________________________________________________________________

Join Us—Your Voice Matters
If you care about Maine’s future, its communities, or its economy, this is the conversation to be part of.  Seats will go fast—say YES to housing and YES to being there.
________________________________________________________________

Refund Policy: Your RSVP is requested by January 7. Payment is expected at the time of registration. No refunds will be granted to anyone who registers, but fails to attend, or who cancels after January 7.

Prices increase by $10 after January 7.

Thank you to our Breakfast Series Sponsor:

Norway Savings Bank Transparent Logo 2

Time

January 14, 2026 8:30 am - 10:00 am

Location

McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center

35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME

Register Here

Price $55.00

How many tickets? -1 +

Total Price $55.00

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Parking

Everyone that parks on the USM Campus in the Bedford Street Garage has to use the digital parking system. You can pre-register for your parking session or do it upon arrival. Commit your license number to memory!  You’ll need it to complete your parking session.  To avoid a parking citation, you must begin your digital parking session – and pay – within 10 minutes of parking. 

Parking Instructions (PDF)

Click Here to Download the Event Parking Instructions.

Maine Real Estate Development Association
6 City Center 3rd Floor
Portland, ME 04101
info@mereda.org

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