MEREDA
  • About
    • About MEREDA
    • Our People
    • Our Members
    • Committees
    • Contact Us
  • Updates
    • Articles & Editorials
    • Advocacy
    • Maine Real Estate Insider
    • MEREDA News
    • Press Releases
    • Blog
  • Events
  • Podcast
  • Benefits
    • Member Benefits & Services
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
  • Resources
    • Member Directory
    • Documents
    • Helpful Links
    • MEREDA Index
  • Login
  • Cart
  • Join MEREDA
  • Member Resources
Select Page

MEREDA’s Morning Menu – How to Rezone a Town: Lessons Learned During ReCode

Jan 17, 2025 | Blog

Aerial view of Portland, ME

Event Details

March 20, 2025 – 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

About the Event:
On March 20th, MEREDA will host a breakfast event featuring a discussion on Portland’s updated ReCode. ReCode has been a nearly decade-long process of overhauling Portland’s Chapter 14 Land Use Ordinance, with its full adoption occurring in late 2024. This “upzone” of Portland’s zoning will have a tremendous impact on development in the years to come.

Join us for a conversation with Christine Grimando and Brandon Mazer, two of the architects of ReCode, to understand how the process transpired, and what lessons they learned along the way.

Meet our Presenters:
Christine Grimando has been an urban planner in Maine for nearly two decades. Currently a Senior Planning Lead with VHB, she provides consulting services to communities throughout Maine on the topics of land use, housing, transportation, and sustainability. Prior to VHB, Christine served as the Director of Planning and Urban Development for the City of Portland where she oversaw ReCode Phase I and 2, Portland’s Comprehensive Plan, and myriad other development, policy, and long-range planning initiatives relating to housing, transportation planning, climate resilience, preservation, open space design, and zoning and land use. Christine serves on the Board of Directors of GrowSmart Maine. She lives in Portland with her wife and son.

Brandon Mazer is an attorney at Perkins Thompson focused on municipal and business law, and currently serves as Corporation Counsel for the City of South Portland. Prior to joining Perkins Thompson he served as General Counsel for Shipyard Brewing Company for over seven years. He has served on the Portland Planning Board since 2017, serving as Chair for over four years. During his tenure on the Planning Board, Brandon has helped approve over 1600 units of housing and, most notably, lead the Planning Board through both phases of Recode. Brandon is also on the Board of Trustees for the Maine State Music Theatre and the Board of Directors for Special Olympics Maine.

Moderating the program is co-chair of MEREDA’s Local Issues Committee, John Finegan. John joined The Boulos Company in 2020 and is an Associate Broker. He works throughout Greater Portland in all areas of commercial real estate including the buying, selling, and leasing of office, retail, industrial, and multifamily family properties. John also works on ground-up development, with a particular focus on multifamily development and economic policymaking as it relates to development.

Ticket Pricing:
Member $45 | Non-Member $55

Refund Policy: Your RSVP is requested by March 13. 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 March 13. Prices increase by $10 after March 13.

Register Here -- https://mereda.org/events/meredas-morning-menu-update-on-portlands-recode/

This event is Sponsored by Norway Savings Bank.

Coming Up Next Month

October

McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME

thu15oct8:30 am10:00 amMorning Menu - Understanding Maine’s Economy: Statewide Drivers and Local Impact8:30 am - 10:00 am McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success, 35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME

Event Details

October 15, 2026 – 8:30 – 10:00 amBuffet Breakfast: 8:30-9:00 amProgram: 9:00-10:00 am Location:McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center35

Event Details

October 15, 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

About the Event:

Understanding Maine’s Economy: Statewide Drivers and Local Impact 

Join MEREDA for a data-driven breakfast conversation on Maine’s economic outlook, with a focused lens on the Greater Portland region. This panel will bring together leaders in economic development, finance, healthcare, and higher education to explore the forces shaping Maine’s economy.

The discussion will open with a statewide economic snapshot, highlighting key trends in workforce, population, industry growth, and investment. Panelists will then connect those trends to regional impacts, including business expansion, housing demand, healthcare employment, and commercial development in the Portland area.

A central theme of the conversation will be workforce and talent — from recruitment and retention challenges to education-to-employment pipelines and cross-sector collaboration. Panelists will also examine economic development and investment, including access to capital, and infrastructure readiness.

Attendees will gain insight into how statewide economic conditions intersect with local opportunities, and how collaboration across sectors can support sustainable growth for communities throughout Maine.

Confirmed Speakers:  Peter DelGreco, Maine & Co., Amanda Rector, Maine State Economist, Guy Hudson, MD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of Northern Light Health, Daniel Walsh, President & Chief Executive Officer at Norway Savings Bank, and Jason Harkins, Maine Business School, as the moderator.

Refund Policy: Your RSVP is requested by October 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 October 8. 

Prices increase by $10 after October 8.

Thank you to our Breakfast Series Sponsor:

Norway Savings Bank Transparent Logo 2

Time

October 15, 2026 8:30 am - 10:00 am

Location

McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success

35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME

Register Here

Price $45.00

How many tickets? -1 +

Total Price $45.00

View Cart Checkout

CalendarGoogleCal

Get Directions

How do you plan to get there?

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.
Hollywood Casino500 Main Street, Bangor, ME

wed28oct8:30 am10:00 amMorning Menu: Powering Maine’s Future: Energy, Economic Development & Business Growth8:30 am - 10:00 am Hollywood Casino, 500 Main Street, Bangor, ME

Event Details

October 28, 2026 – 8:30 – 10:00 am Buffet Breakfast: 8:30-9:00 am Program: 9:00-10:00 am Location: Hollywood Casino 500 Main Street,

Event Details

October 28, 2026 – 8:30 – 10:00 am
Buffet Breakfast: 8:30-9:00 am
Program: 9:00-10:00 am

Location:
Hollywood Casino
500 Main Street, Bangor, ME

About the Event:

Maine’s evolving energy landscape has significant implications for businesses, communities, and economic development across the state. From growing energy demands and infrastructure needs to affordability, reliability, and opportunities for future investment, energy will continue to play an important role in Maine’s ability to compete and grow.

Join MEREDA for a timely discussion bringing together leaders from the utility, business, and energy sectors to explore the challenges and opportunities ahead. Panelists will discuss how Maine’s energy needs are changing, what businesses and communities should be preparing for, and how energy policy and infrastructure can support continued economic development.

The conversation will feature Erica Young of Versant Power and Patrick Woodcock of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, with an additional panelist to be announced. Charlie Summers of the Maine Energy Marketers Association will moderate the discussion.

The program will offer perspectives from across Maine’s energy and business community while providing attendees with a better understanding of the issues shaping investment, development, and growth throughout the state.

Refund Policy: Your RSVP is requested by October 21. 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 October 21.  Prices increase by $10 after October 21.

Interested in participating as a sponsor?
Contact us today or view the sponsorship benefits here.

 

102826 Bangor Breakfast Sponsors

Time

October 28, 2026 8:30 am - 10:00 am

Location

Hollywood Casino

500 Main Street, Bangor, ME

Register Here

Price $55.00

How many tickets? -1 +

Total Price $55.00

View Cart Checkout

CalendarGoogleCal

Get Directions

How do you plan to get there?

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

Copyright (c) 2026 Maine Real Estate & Development Association | All rights reserved | Privacy Policy
X
X