MEREDA Blog

MEREDA’s Morning Menu – MEREDA Welcomes Dr. Habib Dagher, Executive Director, Advanced Structures and Composites Center, UMO

November 17, 2025

December 16, 2025 - 8:30 - 10:00 amBuffet Breakfast: 8:30-9:00 amProgram: 9:00-10:00 am Location: McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME About the Event:Dr. Habib Dagher will provide ...

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Nominations Now Being Accepted for MEREDA’s 2025 Notable Project Awards

November 14, 2025

Each year, MEREDA identifies and recognizes the most noteworthy and significant Maine commercial development projects from the previous year, all of which embody MEREDA’s belief in responsible development. Nominations are ...

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Conference guests in ballroom as presenter speaks.

MEREDA Opens Registration for its Annual Forecast Conference

November 10, 2025

Registration is open for the Maine Real Estate & Development Association’s (MEREDA’s) Annual Forecast Conference and Member Showcase, which will take place on February 26, 2026. The popular annual event draws ...

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Aerial view of Notable Project Receipient Nightingale & State Street Campus Redevelopment

The Right Equation for Responsible Development: Spotlight on Nightingale & State Street Campus Redevelopment (Portland)

November 4, 2025

MEREDA Recognizes its 2024 Notable Project Award Recipients - Each year, the Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) recognizes some of the state’s most “noteworthy and significant” real estate ...

MEREDA Recognizes its 2024 Notable Project Award Recipients - Each year, the Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) recognizes some of the state’s most “noteworthy and significant” real estate projects, completed in the previous year. The exemplary projects from across the state, completed in 2024, not only embody MEREDA’s belief in responsible real estate development, but also exemplify best practices in the industry, contributing to Maine’s economic growth by significant investment of resources and job creation statewide. This year, MEREDA honored projects from throughout the state, with each receiving special recognition at MEREDA’s 2025 “Notable Night” social celebration in May. In a multi-part series exclusive to the Maine Real Estate Insider, we’ll provide an up-close look at the most notable commercial development projects of the past year that are helping to fuel Maine’s economy in terms of investment and job creation. MEREDA is proud to recognize responsible development based upon criteria including environmental sustainability, economic impact, energy efficiency, difficulty of the development, uniqueness, social impact and job creation. Mainebiz also featured each of our Notable Project Recipients in their inaugural “Groundbreaking Maine” publication. Be sure to check it out! https://www.mainebiz.biz/special-edition/groundbreaking-maine-2025 MEREDA’s 2024 Top 9 recipients include: Firehouse Village, Firehouse Ventures & Avesta Housing (Scarborough) 99 Western Apartments, Mastway Development (Augusta) The Malone Family Tower, MaineHealth and Perkins&Will (Portland) Seaport Community Health Center, Penobscot Community Health Care (Belfast) Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument: Tekαkαpimək Contact Station, Elliotsville Foundation (T3 R7 WELS) Vertical Harvest, Vertical Harvest Maine (Westbrook) Stacy M. Symbol Apartments, Westbrook Development Corporation (Westbrook) Nightingale & State Street Campus Redevelopment, NewHeight Group & Redfern Properties (Portland) Front Street Redevelopment, Portland Housing Authority (Portland) Please join us this week in celebrating Nightingale & State Street Campus Redevelopment. MEREDA: Describe the building and project. NewHeight Group & Redfern Properties: Redevelopment of the Mercy Hospital State Street campus into a high-density, mixed-income residential campus featuring 260 new apartments and 9 new homes, a self-storage facility, and several small retail spaces is an excellent example of smart growth. The project involved adaptive reuse of the historic hospital building, creation of outdoor public space in a shared woonerf, improvements to existing utility infrastructure, implementation of a Traffic Demand Management Plan to encourage and support alternative forms of transportation, and provision of a range of housing choice (market rate, affordable, and workforce), both for rent and for sale. In addition, the redevelopment transformed surface parking into housing, recreated the street wall along Winter Street, and stitched back together the neighborhood that had been divided when the hospital was built. MEREDA: What was the impetus for this project? NewHeight Group & Redfern Properties: 2Northern Light Mercy Hospital issued a Request for Proposals in July of 2018. NewHeight Group was invited to respond along with approximately 50 other firms. NHG submitted a proposal in November 2018 with development team members Community Housing of Maine and the Portland Housing Authority. In December of 2018, NHG was one of three teams invited to interview with the selection committee. In January 2019, NewHeight Group’s successful best and final proposal was selected. MEREDA: That sounds like quite a process. How long were you in the planning stages before construction started? NewHeight Group & Redfern Properties: In October of 2019 NewHeight Group executed the Purchase & Sale agreement with Northern Light Health. In December of that year, NewHeight Group entered into an agreement with Redfern Properties to complete the project as 50/50 partners. The acquisition was finalized in February of 2020 (just three weeks before Covid hit!), and the development team launched into rezoning the property, planning, permitting, extension of the period of significance for the existing National Register district, local historic approvals, Part 1 approval from the National Park Service, and hiring Zachau Construction as Construction Manager at-Risk. The project was granted full planning board approval in August of 2021. MEREDA: Tell us about the most challenging aspect of getting this project completed. NewHeight Group & Redfern Properties: This project had myriad challenges. Perhaps the largest was that Mercy Hospital, the primary building, was an operating hospital right up until construction start, so the development team was unable to do any exploratory demolition prior to construction start. The building was known to contain asbestos containing material (mostly pipe wrap), but exactly how much was unknown. The building’s low ceilings also presented significant design and coordination challenges. The project also included undergrounding of existing utilities to make room for three new buildings along Winter Street—an extraordinarily complicated undertaking in this location. MEREDA: Something unexpected you learned along the way was…. NewHeight Group & Redfern Properties: The development team was surprised to discover that what appeared to be original historic wooden columns buried in the walls were in fact made of concrete wrapped in a wooden veneer. While it is less surprising that many people feel a connection to the old hospital building – births, deaths, a long tenure as employee – the overwhelming number of people with a connection was a surprise. MEREDA: Now that it’s complete, what feature of the project do you think makes it the most notable? NewHeight Group & Redfern Properties: Perhaps the most notable element of this project is the woonerf, a Dutch term meaning “Street for Living” which describes a space shared by pedestrians, cyclists, and cars. The woonerf is interior to the block between the historic hospital building now known as the Nightingale, and the two new construction affordable apartment buildings developed by Community Housing of Maine in partnership with the Portland Housing Authority. The woonerf functions as a shared public outdoor space and binds the buildings into a campus. The flush condition of the woonerf, along with landscaping and seating, invites pedestrian use while also allowing for slow vehicle movement and parking.

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The Right Equation for Responsible Development: Spotlight on Cliff House Resort

September 25, 2018

In a multi-part series, exclusive to the Maine Real Estate Insider, we’ll provide an up-close look at the most notable commercial development projects of the past year that are helping ...

In a multi-part series, exclusive to the Maine Real Estate Insider, we’ll provide an up-close look at the most notable commercial development projects of the past year that are helping to fuel Maine’s economy in terms of investment and job creation. MEREDA is proud to recognize responsible development based upon criteria including environmental sustainability, economic impact, energy efficiency, social impact and job creation. Please join with us in celebrating Cliff House Resort. MEREDA: Describe the building and project. Cliff House Resort: The iconic Cliff House resort, sitting on the edge of Bald Head Cliff in Cape Neddick, has been welcoming guests since 1872. Leading investment firm, Rockbridge Capital partnered with Maine hoteliers Marc Dugas and Peter Anastos to create RBDD Cliff House Acquisitions, LLC which purchased the property in 2014 and began extensive renovations and additions to capture the best of Maine in every season. Cliff House reopened with newly designed guest rooms and suites, over 25,000 square feet of new meeting and event space, including a new cliffside ballroom, oceanfront dining and bars, indigenous landscaping, and many other enhancements. A new luxury spa and wellness center, family pool, and Lobster Shack added to the already lengthy list of resort amenities. The greatest highlight is the new collection of oceanfront resort suites which range from family bunk suites to romantic 1-bedroom suites with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean high atop Bald Head Cliff. MEREDA: What was the impetus for this project? Cliff House Resort: As noted in a 2016 Boston Globe Article: “With the opening of the Cliff House, the trend of turning modest New England beach hotels into posh escapes is gaining momentum. The shift is happening as hotel owners and investors reason that travelers who are accustomed to stylish, urban boutique hotels will want the same experience in quaint seaside towns.” MEREDA: That sounds like quite a process. How long were you in the planning stages before construction started? Cliff House Resort: The planning and permitting stages lasted approximately one year. MEREDA: Tell us about the most challenging aspect of getting this project completed. Cliff House Resort: As an operating summer resort, significant construction phasing was required to respect the operation during the summer months. The phasing resulted in a two-year construction schedule which began in 2015. The redevelopment also required incorporation of existing structures which had significant historical sentiment along with respecting residential abutters and proximity to the ocean. Extensive collaboration with surrounding residential neighbors was required in order to ensure that existing vehicular access was maintained to properties that used Bald Head Cliff Road. The road, while the main entrance to the Resort, is also the only access to a number of nearby oceanfront properties. MEREDA: Something unexpected you learned along the way was… Cliff House Resort: The previous owner stated that construction of a new wing that was approved 15 years ago was valid in perpetuity. The ownership team was skeptical, but it turned out to be true. The previous owner had the insight to permit the entire site plan with the ability to phase construction over the years. MEREDA: Now that it’s complete, what feature of the project do you think makes it the most notable? Cliff House Resort: Stunning exterior views, coupled with outstanding interior design and world class service right here in Maine. The ability to fuse two buildings which were very different in both age, style and design into one seamless resort with a complete new addition which nearly doubled the size of the resort was an amazing accomplishment. The resort appears as if it was built as one property. The depth of vision, skill, and expertise of the architects and designers with ownership coupled with stunning exterior views and outstanding interior design with world class service, is all right here in Maine.

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Join MEREDA for another great “meet-and-greet” opportunity at the Annual Fall Networking Social

September 25, 2018

Another great "meet-and-greet" opportunity, this time on Portland's Waterfront, you are invited to the Maine Real Estate & Development Association's (MEREDA's) highly-anticipated Annual Fall Social on October 25th!MEREDA's networking events ...

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Meet Dan Brennan, New MaineHousing Director

September 18, 2018

[caption id="attachment_3088" align="alignleft" width="277"] Dan Brennan, MaineHousing Director[/caption] Earlier this year, Dan Brennan was confirmed as the new director of MaineHousing, succeeding John Gallagher who recently retired. Brennan has been with MaineHousing for 25 ...

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Join MEREDA for another great “meet-and-greet” opportunity, this time on Portland’s Waterfront!

September 17, 2018

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MEREDA’s Morning Menu Breakfast Event – On Fertile Ground: The Maine Marijuana Industry

September 17, 2018

The marijuana industry offers enormous opportunities for real estate owners and professionals, but poses unique risks and challenges. MEREDA is pleased to welcome attorneys Ted Kelleher and Hannah King from the law offices of ...

The marijuana industry offers enormous opportunities for real estate owners and professionals, but poses unique risks and challenges. MEREDA is pleased to welcome attorneys Ted Kelleher and Hannah King from the law offices of Drummond Woodsum as they provide an overview of how the Maine medical and recreational marketplaces will function going forward, what kinds of licenses will be available, what the timeline will be for the creation of the new recreational market and what these businesses look like operationally. They will discuss legal issues and concerns for landlords and property owners, including issues specific to the issues around title insurance, property insurance, as well as provide information on how landlords can best protect themselves.Join us for breakfast in Bangor on October 16 from 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM at the Hollywood Casino Bangor for a discussion and presentation on how the cannabis industry has evolved, where things stand today and what the future may hold with regard to rules & regulations. About the Event: October 16, 2018 – 7:30AM to 9:00AM Hollywood Casino Bangor 500 Main Street Bangor, ME Breakfast: 7:30 AM Program: 8:00 – 9:00 AM About the Panel: Hannah King, Attorney, Drummond Woodsum As co-chair of Drummond Woodsum’s regulated substances practice, Attorney King advises tribes across the country and marijuana businesses in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont on marijuana licensing and regulatory issues. She has been involved in drafting proposed legislative changes to Maine’s Marijuana Legalization Act and the Medical Use of Marijuana Program. She is also a member of The ArcView Group, a national cannabis angel investment platform, and serves on the 15 member selection committee, where her responsibilities include vetting investment opportunities in all aspects if the cannabis industry for consideration by ArcView members. Edward (Ted) Kelleher, Attorney, Drummond Woodsum Ted co-chairs the firm’s Regulated Substances Practice, which focuses on consumer products industries with heavy regulatory oversight, in particular brewing, distilling and the newly emerging marijuana industry. Ted is widely recognized as one of the pre-eminent business and regulatory lawyers for marijuana related businesses in New England. He has represented dispensaries, Native American tribes, investors, landlords and property owners and municipalities as they try to navigate the complex and quickly changing world of marijuana laws, regulations and business transactions. A thought leader in this industry, he has spoken widely about marijuana legal and business issues to a variety of civic and business groups. Registering for the Event: Your RSVP is requested by October 9, 2018. 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 9, 2018. Ticket Prices: Members: $25 each | Non-Members: $35 ea Prices increase by $10 after October 9 This MEREDA Morning Menu Breakfast Event is Sponsored by Epstein Commercial Real Estate and Drummond Woodsum. Visit www.mereda.org for more information and to register.

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MEREDA’s Morning Menu Breakfast – On Fertile Ground: The Maine Marijuana Industry

September 13, 2018

The marijuana industry offers enormous opportunities for real estate owners and professionals, but poses unique risks and challenges. MEREDA is pleased to welcome attorneys Ted Kelleher and Hannah King from the law offices of Drummond Woodsum as they provide an overview of how the Maine medical and recreational marketplaces will function going forward, what kinds of licenses will be available, what the timeline will be for the creation of the new recreational market and what these businesses look like operationally. They will discuss legal issues and concerns for landlords and property owners, including issues specific to the issues around title insurance, property insurance, as well as provide information on how landlords can best protect themselves. Join us for breakfast in Bangor on October 16 from 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM at the Hollywood Casino Bangor for a discussion and presentation on how the cannabis industry has evolved, where things stand today and what the future may hold with regard to rules & regulations. About the Event: October 16, 2018 - 7:30AM to 9:00AM Hollywood Casino Bangor 500 Main Street Bangor, ME Breakfast: 7:30 AM Program: 8:00 - 9:00 AM About the Panel: Hannah King, Attorney, Drummond Woodsum As co-chair of Drummond Woodsum’s regulated substances practice, Attorney King advises tribes across the country and marijuana businesses in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont on marijuana licensing and regulatory issues. She has been involved in drafting proposed legislative changes to Maine’s Marijuana Legalization Act and the Medical Use of Marijuana Program. She is also a member of The ArcView Group, a national cannabis angel investment platform, and serves on the 15 member selection committee, where her responsibilities include vetting investment opportunities in all aspects if the cannabis industry for consideration by ArcView members. Edward (Ted) Kelleher, Attorney, Drummond Woodsum Ted co-chairs the firm’s Regulated Substances Practice, which focuses on consumer products industries with heavy regulatory oversight, in particular brewing, distilling and the newly emerging marijuana industry. Ted is widely recognized as one of the pre-eminent business and regulatory lawyers for marijuana related businesses in New England. He has represented dispensaries, Native American tribes, investors, landlords and property owners and municipalities as they try to navigate the complex and quickly changing world of marijuana laws, regulations and business transactions. A thought leader in this industry, he has spoken widely about marijuana legal and business issues to a variety of civic and business groups. Registering for the Event: Click here for more information and to register. Your RSVP is requested by October 9, 2018. 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 9, 2018. Ticket Prices: Members: $25 each | Non-Members: $35 ea Prices increase by $10 after October 9 This MEREDA Morning Menu Breakfast Event is Sponsored by Epstein Commercial Real Estate and Drummond Woodsum.

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The Right Equation for Responsible Development: Spotlight on Huse School Apartments

September 4, 2018

September 4, 2018 In multi-part series, exclusive to the Maine Real Estate Insider, we’ll provide an up-close look at the most notable commercial development projects of the past year that ...

September 4, 2018 In multi-part series, exclusive to the Maine Real Estate Insider, we’ll provide an up-close look at the most notable commercial development projects of the past year that are helping to fuel Maine’s economy in terms of investment and job creation. MEREDA is proud to recognize responsible development based upon criteria including environmental sustainability, economic impact, energy efficiency, difficulty of the development, uniqueness, social impact and job creation. Please join with us in celebrating Huse School Apartments. MEREDA: Describe the building and project. Huse School Apartments: Huse School Apartments involved the renovation and rehabilitation of the former John E.L. Huse Memorial School, built in 1942 and 1949 in Bath. We re-purposed this elementary school to create 31 apartments and added a new construction wing with 28 apartments, for a total of 59 units. The project was financed using a combination of affordable housing tax credits and historic tax credits. The project also included extensive new sitework surrounding the school and, nearby, a new community playground that benefits residents of the City of Bath. MEREDA: What was the impetus for this project? Huse School Apartments: We believe that cities and their downtowns are stronger when residents are able to build and maintain their well-being, careers, and families in quality housing that is plugged into neighborhood services and amenities. We are always looking for new project sites to create housing that supports these beliefs. When we were introduced to the Huse School, we realized that by partnering with the City of Bath we could redevelop a historic building in an established neighborhood, while creating new quality housing in a city with high demand. Nearby amenities include Bath’s modern YMCA, the 5-mile Whiskeag Trail, and the bus line. Downtown Bath (with all of its services and attractions) is a 1/2 mile walk from the Huse School. MEREDA: That sounds like quite a process. How long were you in the planning stages before construction started? Huse School Apartments: We first visited the existing school in summer 2014, on a guided tour of potential housing development sites with Deb Keller, Director of Bath Housing. We were able to get the site under contract and began working on permitting and financing throughout 2015 and most of 2016, culminating in construction start August 2016. We opened our doors to residents on July 17, 2017. MEREDA: Tell us about the most challenging aspect of getting this project completed. Huse School Apartments: Every project has its own special challenges! Our biggest challenge was dealing with a very tight construction labor market that caused headaches for the entire team throughout the construction process. We had a major subcontractor walk away from the job right after we started, and that caused a ripple effect through the rest of the project. MEREDA: Something unexpected you learned along the way was… Huse School Apartments: We learned that there was a rifle range built into the basement of the wing constructed in 1949. When it was built, it was part of the Cold War-era martial culture. Kids were expected to be competent shooters. Now, putting a rifle range into an elementary school seems incredible to us. It just goes to show how far the culture has moved since 1949. On the development side, we learned during construction that the 1949 wing, which was considered to be not architecturally or historically significant by the National Park Service, was eligible to drive Historic Tax Credits because it was attached to the historic 1942 original structure. Therefore we were able to unlock more tax credit equity than we originally expected, which in turn allowed MaineHousing (the primary funder) to husband its scarce resources of tax credits and subsidies, allowing it to fund more affordable housing projects across the state. MEREDA: Now that it’s complete, what feature of the project do you think makes it the most notable? Huse School Apartments: The historic building included a gymnasium with a stage, which we have partially repurposed as the building community room. This is a space with 24’ ceilings, vast expanses of exposed original masonry walls, and refinished hardwood floors with basketball court markings. We certainly don’t have any spaces like this community room in our other buildings. It’s the space where residents are encouraged to gather, and it’s the space we show off the most when we give a tour of the building.

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Make Plans to Join MEREDA after the Summer Break at Baxter Brewing in Lewiston for its Annual L/A Fall Social!

August 29, 2018

After the summer break, make plans to join the Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) at Baxter Brewing Co. in Lewiston on September 27 from 5-7 pm for its ...

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MEREDA’s Annual Lewiston Auburn Networking Social

August 29, 2018

After the summer break, make plans to join the Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) at Baxter Brewing Co. in Lewiston on September 27 from 5-7 pm for its ...

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Homeownership Remains Unaffordable; Rental Affordability Showing Signs of Improvement

August 28, 2018

August 28, 2018 by Richard E. Taylor, Research Manager at MaineHousing MaineHousing has released the 2017 Maine Homeownership and Rental Affordability Index. The index indicates buying or renting a home ...

August 28, 2018 by Richard E. Taylor, Research Manager at MaineHousing MaineHousing has released the 2017 Maine Homeownership and Rental Affordability Index. The index indicates buying or renting a home in Maine remains unaffordable. The index provides a statewide, county and local breakdown of home buying and rental affordability. The index calculation is based on the ratio of home prices affordable at median household income to median home price. A ratio at or above 1 indicates homes are affordable while below 1 indicates they are unaffordable. Homeownership Remains Unaffordable In 2017, home buying in Maine remained unaffordable for the second year in a row as the index moved from .97 down to .93. The median home price increased 7.1%, or $13,000 to a post-recession high of $197,000. Driving the affordability gap, median household income has not kept pace, rising only 4.3% to $53,190, also a post-recession high. As the market began recovering in 2010, the combination of higher inventories of foreclosed and low cost homes, historically low interest rates, and income growth outpacing home prices led to a brief two year time frame, 2014 – 2015, when buying a home became affordable at median income. After 2015, the gap between income and median home prices narrowed and home buying returned to being unaffordable. The Inventory Problem High demand and low inventory pushes up home prices. The current dearth of new construction and the increased use of single-family units as rentals (12% increase) combined with a declining population and slowing in-migration, have contributed to slower household formation and low inventory. Additionally, many of the single-family homes being rented were those of owners who were underwater or in negative equity. Though increasing home values and sales prices have lessened that issue, many owners may have kept the property as a rental because demand for rental units remained strong. The average days on market in Maine has gone from 78 in 2013 to 35 in 2017. Based on current sales rates, there is about 6 months of inventory available. As we move from spring to summer that inventory will likely decrease. Historical Changes Maine’s homeownership rate, among the highest in the nation has been declining since the peak of the pre-recession housing boom. The decline in vacancies has been less steady but took the most considerable one-year drop from 2016 to 2017 when vacancies reached a 12 year annual low of 1.2 percent. More Expensive New Units Increasing costs of land, building materials, and labor are driving the cost of new single-family development upward putting many of the new units out of reach for first time home buyers. This trend will likely force younger buyers who do decide to buy to purchase existing homes as opposed to new regardless of the financing program. The Shift to Renting Continues Current flat homes sales in Maine may be due, in part, to the continued shift to renting. Households 64 and younger continue to rent in increasing numbers. Those households in the 25 to 54 age cohorts have historically bought homes at greater rates than other age groups. For households 25 to 34, continuing to rent is attributed to high home prices, student debt, and the locational preferences of younger Maine residents. Renting Is Still Unaffordable but Improving The rental affordability index measurement is based on the ratio of a 2-bedroom rent affordable at median renter income to average 2-bedroom price. In 2017, renting an apartment remained unaffordable but the statewide index score improved to .88 up from .85 in 2016. The improving affordability index score is due primarily to a leveling off of average two-bedroom rents and improvements in renter incomes. More Rental Units but Fewer Affordable The rental vacancy rate has reached its lowest point in over a decade but there are fewer affordable units in stock. The supply of affordable rental units has shrunk by over 6,000 units since 2011. This is approximately the same number of homes that have fallen from the owned category between 2011 and 2016 and may reflect the growth in single-family rental units. The increase in single-family rental units which are generally larger homes has likely contributed to increased rents and subsequently, continued market unaffordability. As with single-family owned units, multifamily construction activity has increased but has yet to return to pre-recession levels. Current market conditions indicate that home prices will continue to rise as inventory remains tight. Buying a home will remain out of reach for a growing number of Maine residents. On the rental side of the equation, various forecasts have predicted a softening of rents, as the MaineHousing index suggests. The forecasts of rental prices leveling off are largely based on greater participation in home ownership, particularly among prime age buyers. If rental prices are beginning to decrease, the decrease is not occurring at the levels needed to bring rental prices down to an affordable level.

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MEREDA’s DevelopME’s Lunch & Learn Series “Advocating in Augusta”

August 21, 2018

Join DevelopME on Thursday September 20, 2018 at the Portland Public Library from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. for their latest Lunch and Learn event, "Advocating in Augusta" to learn how MEREDA works to promote an environment ...

Join DevelopME on Thursday September 20, 2018 at the Portland Public Library from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. for their latest Lunch and Learn event, "Advocating in Augusta" to learn how MEREDA works to promote an environment for responsible development and real estate ownership in our state's capital. We will hear from Andrea Cianchette Maker, MEREDA's Public Policy Counsel and Partner at Pierce Atwood, along with Elizabeth Frazier, Associate at Pierce Atwood and Mike Lane, MEREDA's Public Policy Committee Chair and Partner at Preti Flaherty. They will share their insights and expertise on various topics including how a bill becomes a law, how MEREDA sets its' policy agenda, and how MEREDA's membership can be engaged in the process.About the Event: September 20, 2018 - 11:30AM to 1:00 PM Rines Auditorium Portland Public Library 5 Monument Square Portland, ME Lunch: 11:30 AM -12:00 PM Program: 12:00 - 1:00 PM About the Panel: Andrea Cianchette Maker, Partner and Government Relations Practice Group Leader at Pierce Atwood, LLP provides governmental relations services in Maine and in Washington, DC with Maineʹs Congressional delegation. She is pleased to be engaged as Public Policy Counsel for MEREDA. Her government relations practice focuses on real estate, economic development, health care, education and workforce development issues. Andrea is adept at building coalitions and developing eﬀective stakeholder relations, as well as helping clients create personal relationships with key policy and decision makers. Her sensible, proactive and direct approach is refreshing and empowering in the complex and sometimes perplexing public policy arena. Committed to creating a strong and vibrant State of Maine, Andrea enjoys working with clients and organizations to strengthen Maineʹs economy. Andrea has developed strong and personal relationships with countless Maine policy makers, business people and association leaders. She has been active with many Maine non-profit organizations, including her current role as Co-Chair of FocusMaine. Andrea's honors and distinctions include receiving the Crystal Heart Award by the American Heart Association (Maine Chapter) in 2017 as well as being named as one of four "Women to Watch" by Mainebiz and recognized by Maine magazine's "50 Mainers" issue in 2016. Elizabeth M. Frazier is an associate of Pierce Atwood LLP in Portland, where she focuses on government relations and economic development, including helping businesses and developers navigate Maine's regulatory environment and advocacy at the Maine State House. She is a graduate of the University of Maine School of Law and Trinity College. Mike Lane, chairs Preti Flaherty's Real Estate Group and has represented clients in all aspects of real estate and land use law, including acquisitions, dispositions, obtaining federal, state and local regulatory approvals; commercial and public financing; title and conveyancing matters. Mike also serves as MEREDA's Public Policy Committee Chair. Mike has built a strong timberlands practice representing mills, land management companies and industrial land owners in complex timberlands transactions, including acquisitions, sales, operating agreements, wood supply agreements, underwriting timberland titles, Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) development compliance and permitting. He routinely appears before municipal planning boards, LUPC and the Department of Environmental Protection to permit residential, commercial and industrial projects. Mike also serves as Vice President and General Counsel to Charter Title Company, LLC, Preti Flaherty's wholly-owned subsidiary, a respected agent for a number of nationally recognized title insurance companies. He has substantial experience in underwriting and negotiating title insurance coverages involving multisite, multimillion dollar commercial transactions, particularly energy, industrial and timberland properties, covering Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Registering for this Event: MEREDA Member: $15 each | Non - Member: $25 each Register After September 13: Member: $25 each | Non-Member $35 each Your RSVP is requested by September 13, 2018. 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 September 13, 2018. This DevelopME Lunch & Learn Event is sponsored by Pierce Atwood. Visit www.mereda.org for more information and to register.

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MEREDA’s DevelopME’s Lunch & Learn Series “Advocating in Augusta”

August 21, 2018

Join DevelopME on Thursday September 20, 2018 at the Portland Public Library from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. for their latest Lunch and Learn event, "Advocating in Augusta" to learn how MEREDA works to promote an environment for responsible development and real estate ownership in our state's capital. We will hear from Andrea Cianchette Maker, MEREDA's Public Policy Counsel and Partner at Pierce Atwood, along with Elizabeth Frazier, Associate at Pierce Atwood and Mike Lane, MEREDA's Public Policy Committee Chair and Partner at Preti Flaherty. They will share their insights and expertise on various topics including how a bill becomes a law, how MEREDA sets its' policy agenda, and how MEREDA's membership can be engaged in the process. About the Event: September 20, 2018 - 11:30AM to 1:00 PM Rines Auditorium Portland Public Library 5 Monument Square Portland, ME Lunch: 11:30 AM -12:00 PM Program: 12:00 - 1:00 PM About the Panel: Andrea Cianchette Maker, Partner and Government Relations Practice Group Leader at Pierce Atwood, LLP provides governmental relations services in Maine and in Washington, DC with Maineʹs Congressional delegation. She is pleased to be engaged as Public Policy Counsel for MEREDA. Her government relations practice focuses on real estate, economic development, health care, education and workforce development issues. Andrea is adept at building coalitions and developing eﬀective stakeholder relations, as well as helping clients create personal relationships with key policy and decision makers. Her sensible, proactive and direct approach is refreshing and empowering in the complex and sometimes perplexing public policy arena. Committed to creating a strong and vibrant State of Maine, Andrea enjoys working with clients and organizations to strengthen Maineʹs economy. Andrea has developed strong and personal relationships with countless Maine policy makers, business people and association leaders. She has been active with many Maine non-profit organizations, including her current role as Co-Chair of FocusMaine. Andrea's honors and distinctions include receiving the Crystal Heart Award by the American Heart Association (Maine Chapter) in 2017 as well as being named as one of four "Women to Watch" by Mainebiz and recognized by Maine magazine's "50 Mainers" issue in 2016. Elizabeth M. Frazier is an associate of Pierce Atwood LLP in Portland, where she focuses on government relations and economic development, including helping businesses and developers navigate Maine's regulatory environment and advocacy at the Maine State House. She is a graduate of the University of Maine School of Law and Trinity College. Mike Lane, chairs Preti Flaherty's Real Estate Group and has represented clients in all aspects of real estate and land use law, including acquisitions, dispositions, obtaining federal, state and local regulatory approvals; commercial and public financing; title and conveyancing matters. Mike also serves as MEREDA's Public Policy Committee Chair. Mike has built a strong timberlands practice representing mills, land management companies and industrial land owners in complex timberlands transactions, including acquisitions, sales, operating agreements, wood supply agreements, underwriting timberland titles, Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) development compliance and permitting. He routinely appears before municipal planning boards, LUPC and the Department of Environmental Protection to permit residential, commercial and industrial projects. Mike also serves as Vice President and General Counsel to Charter Title Company, LLC, Preti Flaherty's wholly-owned subsidiary, a respected agent for a number of nationally recognized title insurance companies. He has substantial experience in underwriting and negotiating title insurance coverages involving multisite, multimillion dollar commercial transactions, particularly energy, industrial and timberland properties, covering Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Registering for this Event: MEREDA Member: $15 each | Non - Member: $25 each Register After September 13: Member: $25 each | Non-Member $35 each Your RSVP is requested by September 13, 2018. 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 September 13, 2018. This DevelopME Lunch & Learn Event is sponsored by Pierce Atwood. Click here for more information and to register.

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The Right Equation for Responsible Development: Spotlight on Aura

August 14, 2018

In multi-part series, exclusive to the Maine Maine Real Estate Insider, we’ll provide an up-close look at the most notable commercial development projects of the past year that are helping ...

In multi-part series, exclusive to the Maine Maine Real Estate Insider, we’ll provide an up-close look at the most notable commercial development projects of the past year that are helping to fuel Maine’s economy in terms of investment and job creation. MEREDA is proud to recognize responsible development based upon criteria including environmental sustainability, economic impact, energy efficiency, difficulty of the development, uniqueness, social impact and job creation. Please join with us in celebrating Aura. MEREDA: Describe the building and project. Aura: I would describe Aura as a labor of love. The building is the transformation of a successful but tired venue called Asylum. Aura is our new expanded and rebranded 24,500 SF event and performance center, located in downtown Portland. It was designed by WBRC Architects Engineers, built by Consigli, and completed in April 2017. I was recently told by a booking agent that they believe Aura is one of the top three venues in the U.S. for its size! MEREDA: What was the impetus for this project? Aura: We (Aura owners Krista Newman, Valerie Levy, and Laurie Willey) were coming up on 20th year in business and needed a change. We had grown, had children, and we wanted our space to better reflect us. We had researched what the local scene needed and saw an opportunity for a larger venue. The name Asylum has also become a problem. We were hosting more national acts and some of them did not care for that name. It’s also not easy to sell a lunchtime corporate event to a group of professionals at a place called Asylum. We needed something more upscale, a place where we could reach out to a broader audience and host more community events. MEREDA: How long were you in the planning stages before construction started? Aura: I don’t really recall the timeline – it was a whirlwind, I must say. We’d come up with the idea to renovate, and met with Rob Frank at WBRC, and he introduced us our architect, Jocelyn Boothe. We really clicked; I can’t say enough good things about her. She went back and forth with us for weeks, getting to know each other, refining ideas. Our planning took a major turn when we decided to add a balcony. We hadn’t had one in the original design or budget. Then we took a trip to visit Gracie Theatre in Bangor and saw their balcony. We decided we wanted to add one, but it required going back to the drawing board, and the planning board. The balcony was probably the best idea of the whole project; it’s amazing to think that it was an afterthought. MEREDA: Tell us about the most challenging aspect of getting this project completed. Aura: The timeframe was the biggest challenge. We have a great staff; many have been here over 10 years. They are like family, and we didn’t want to have to lay people off during renovations or lose anyone to the construction process. Fortunately, we were able to keep the sports bar open during most of construction. It only closed for about a month, in August. The building construction had to be completed in nine months to start our performance season in April, and we were freaking out near the end. But somehow the Consigli team pulled it off. MEREDA: Something unexpected you learned along the way was. . . Aura: I learned to rely on the professional knowledge base of the people around us. It was hard sometimes to not to control everything. We had trust that the architect, engineers, interior designer and acoustics people knew what they were talking about. Luckily for us, they did. Our architect Jocelyn’s attention to detail is amazing and alleviated a lot of stress from of us. While we were still Asylum, she came to a couple of sold-out shows and watched the flow of people. She decided we needed two sets of double doors at the entrance so people could exit quicker. Then she said, “The restrooms aren’t quite big enough, it’s too long of a wait. Why don’t we lose that closet and add an extra restroom?” I don’t know a lot of architects would come to two or three shows to really research the little items that are big items for us. MEREDA: Now that it’s complete, what feature of the project do you think makes it the most notable? Aura: It’s such an intimate space now. The balcony and the sightlines are amazing. No matter where you are, you feel like you’re right next to the people who are performing or the person who’s speaking. The spaces at Aura are really special and unique. There’s a feeling of relaxation here. I love the airiness of it. Right before we opened, a friend came in and said, “This is going to sound strange, but when I walk in here, it feels peaceful, almost churchlike.” I’ve heard other people make similar comments. It has a really good aura, which seems funny to say. We worked with a local branding company called Blaze to come up with the new name, and it was hard to choose one before the space was built. I’m glad we chose Aura. It’s perfect.

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MEREDA’s Morning Menu Breakfast Event Fair Winds & Following Seas: A Conversation with MDOT Commissioner David Bernhardt and Eimskip’s Larus Isfeld

August 8, 2018

Eimskip, the Icelandic steamship company began calling on Portland, Maine in March of 2013, after more than $45 million in public and private dollars of investment by the Maine Port ...

Eimskip, the Icelandic steamship company began calling on Portland, Maine in March of 2013, after more than $45 million in public and private dollars of investment by the Maine Port Authority (MPA) and Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) revitalized the once derelict International Marine Terminal (IMT) property. The MPA has seen growth at the port at 20% year over year since Eimskip's arrival, with vessel calls steadily increasing. Investments at the (IMT) have reinvigorated commercial shipping to the Port of Portland, providing Maine businesses with opportunities to lower logistical costs and reach markets across the world. Eimskip announced last year that they will increase port calls to weekly service. The result is a 45% increase in ship calls, from 36 to 52 ships per year at the IMT. This is the first time in the company's 100-year history that they have offered weekly service to the United States. The huge increase in ship calls to the IMT will provide Maine businesses with better access to foreign markets and increase the global competitiveness of our State. In 2016, the MPA and MaineDOT announced the award of a federal FASTLANE grant to further improve IMT infrastructure and operations. As part of that grant, the state will be strengthening and enlarging the pier, building a new maintenance and training facility, further improving rail connections at the port, and most recently, expedited a purchase of a new mobile harbor crane. The new crane allows ships to be loaded and offloaded more efficiently and provide for necessary redundancy in crane operations to support the additional traffic. Mark your calendar to join MEREDA for breakfast on September 6 from 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM at the Holiday Inn By the Bay for a statewide perspective by MaineDOT Commissioner Bernhardt including development opportunities at other key ports along Maine's coastline, and an in depth look at the Eimskip story with its Managing Director and Executive Vice President, Larus Isfeld. About the Event: September 6, 2018 - 7:30AM to 9:00AM Holiday Inn By the Bay 88 Spring Street Portland, ME Breakfast: 7:30 AM Program: 8:00 - 9:00 AM About the Panel: David B. Bernhardt joined MaineDOT in 1984 serving in several top positions and was appointed Commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) by Governor Paul R. LePage in February, 2011. He is an active participant on several national and state transportation associations including: The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Board of Directors and Executive and Strategic Management Committee; NCHRP 20-24; I-95 Corridor Coalition and is an honorary member of Maine's Women in Transportation Chapter. Commissioner Bernhardt served as AASHTO's Vice President in 2016 and President in 2017. While serving as president, he helped lead the implementation of a comprehensive committee restructure. In 2017, Bernhardt worked closely with President Trump's administration and various infrastructure stakeholders to develop plans for a major infrastructure investment proposal. Larus Isfeld has been the Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Eimskip USA since February 2009. Before taking on the position of Managing Director of Eimskip USA. Larus was President and owner of Icexpress a NY based Freight Forwarding Company at JFK airport from 2003 until the company merged with Eimskip in 2009. From 2000-2003 Larus was the CEO of Viska hf., an Icelandic Investment fund with focus on M&A of food production companies in Iceland.He started his career for the largest Icelandic retailer Baugur Group, now Hagar, in 1981 working through various positions until becoming a Director of Private Label during the last few years with the company.Larus was one of the moving forces behind the relocation of Eimskip USA from Norfolk VA to Portland ME. He is a proven business leader and entrepreneur with extensive experience in management, retail, and international relations and logistics. Registering for this Event: MEREDA Member: $45 each | Non - Member: $55 each Register After August 30: Member: $55 each | Non-Member $65 each Your RSVP is requested by August 30, 2018. 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 August 30, 2018. This MEREDA Morning Menu Breakfast Event is Sponsored by Norway Savings Bank. Click here to register now.

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So Do We Have a Deal? Maybe Not

August 7, 2018

By: Asha Echeverria, Shareholder, LEED AP, Bernstein Shur A written contract signed by both parties is always best. So what happens when negotiations take months and only one side signs ...

By: Asha Echeverria, Shareholder, LEED AP, Bernstein Shur A written contract signed by both parties is always best. So what happens when negotiations take months and only one side signs the contract? Is there a contract? Was there a meeting of the minds? According to the court in Ellis Construction, Inc. v. Town of Farmingdale (Kennebec Sup. CV-16-009), whether the parties are still negotiating a contract or entering into a contract is purely a question of intent, which is a question of fact. The mutual assent of both parties has to be shown and is an essential component to the formation of the contract. In this case, a contractor attempted to claim that a renewal sewer maintenance contract had been formed in June 2015 when they emailed the secretary of the Sewer committee to confirm receipt of the draft contract and that they were “agreeable to the changes.” The court disagreed because it was obvious from reviewing the Sewer Committee and Select Board meetings that the parties were still in negotiations as to whether the Town would agree to the renewal. The evidence did not establish that the Town had the intent to enter a contract just yet. The fact that negotiations were still ongoing was made clearer as further modifications were made to the contract in August/September 2015 and these terms became a point of contention between the parties. The contractor’s final attempt to establish a contract was based on the Town’s ultimatum “that if the Sewer Maintenance Contract is not signed tomorrow night, that the contract will be put out to bid” and its quick response by signing the contract. The court did not interpret the Town’s action as being an intent or assent to be bound if the contractor signed, but rather, the court interpreted it to mean that the Town wanted to know the contractor’s position by the next day but had not decided if it would countersign the agreement. And then, just days later, the Town officially declined to renew the contract. Because no contract was ever formed, the contractor was not entitled to contract damages. The court declined to find an implied contract but did determine that the contractor had completed some work after the expiration of the prior contract. Therefore, the contractor was entitled to unjust enrichment damages of $1,100. Finally, the court did confirm that Maine’s Prompt Payment Act (10 M.R.S.A. § 1111 et seq.) applies to both express and implied contracts (quantum meruit claims) although it was not applicable in this instance since the contractor was only able to collect under Unjust Enrichment. This means that if a contractor is forced to sue to recover amounts owed by an owner, which includes a municipality, the contractor can recover penalties and attorney’s fees even if the contract was only implied from the actions of the parties. The final takeaway from this case is to try and always have a written contract signed by both parties—then at least you know you have a deal. Original Publication: The Construction Advantage, June 1, 2018

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MEREDA’s Morning Menu – Fair Winds and Following Seas: A Conversation with MDOT Commissioner, David Bernhardt and Eimskip’s Larus Isfeld

August 7, 2018

Eimskip, the Icelandic steamship company began calling on Portland, Maine in March of 2013, after more than $45 million in public and private dollars of investment by the Maine Port ...

Eimskip, the Icelandic steamship company began calling on Portland, Maine in March of 2013, after more than $45 million in public and private dollars of investment by the Maine Port Authority (MPA) and Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) revitalized the once derelict International Marine Terminal (IMT) property. The MPA has seen growth at the port at 20% year over year since Eimskip's arrival, with vessel calls steadily increasing. Investments at the (IMT) have reinvigorated commercial shipping to the Port of Portland, providing Maine businesses with opportunities to lower logistical costs and reach markets across the world. Eimskip announced last year that they will increase port calls to weekly service. The result is a 45% increase in ship calls, from 36 to 52 ships per year at the IMT. This is the first time in the company's 100-year history that they have offered weekly service to the United States. The huge increase in ship calls to the IMT will provide Maine businesses with better access to foreign markets and increase the global competitiveness of our State. In 2016, the MPA and MaineDOT announced the award of a federal FASTLANE grant to further improve IMT infrastructure and operations. As part of that grant, the state will be strengthening and enlarging the pier, building a new maintenance and training facility, further improving rail connections at the port, and most recently, expedited a purchase of a new mobile harbor crane. The new crane allows ships to be loaded and offloaded more efficiently and provide for necessary redundancy in crane operations to support the additional traffic. Mark your calendar to join MEREDA for breakfast on September 6 from 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM at the Holiday Inn By the Bay for a statewide perspective by MaineDOT Commissioner Bernhardt including development opportunities at other key ports along Maine's coastline, and an in depth look at the Eimskip story with its Managing Director and Executive Vice President, Larus Isfeld. About the Event: September 6, 2018 - 7:30AM to 9:00AM Holiday Inn By the Bay 88 Spring Street Portland, ME Breakfast: 7:30 AM Program: 8:00 - 9:00 AM About the Panel: David B. Bernhardt joined MaineDOT in 1984 serving in several top positions and was appointed Commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) by Governor Paul R. LePage in February, 2011. He is an active participant on several national and state transportation associations including: The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Board of Directors and Executive and Strategic Management Committee; NCHRP 20-24; I-95 Corridor Coalition and is an honorary member of Maine's Women in Transportation Chapter. Commissioner Bernhardt served as AASHTO's Vice President in 2016 and President in 2017. While serving as president, he helped lead the implementation of a comprehensive committee restructure. In 2017, Bernhardt worked closely with President Trump's administration and various infrastructure stakeholders to develop plans for a major infrastructure investment proposal. Larus Isfeld has been the Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Eimskip USA since February 2009. Before taking on the position of Managing Director of Eimskip USA. Larus was President and owner of Icexpress a NY based Freight Forwarding Company at JFK airport from 2003 until the company merged with Eimskip in 2009. From 2000-2003 Larus was the CEO of Viska hf., an Icelandic Investment fund with focus on M&A of food production companies in Iceland.He started his career for the largest Icelandic retailer Baugur Group, now Hagar, in 1981 working through various positions until becoming a Director of Private Label during the last few years with the company.Larus was one of the moving forces behind the relocation of Eimskip USA from Norfolk VA to Portland ME. He is a proven business leader and entrepreneur with extensive experience in management, retail, and international relations and logistics. Registering for this Event: MEREDA Member: $45 each | Non - Member: $55 each Register After August 30: Member: $55 each | Non-Member $65 each Your RSVP is requested by August 30, 2018. 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 August 30, 2018. This MEREDA Morning Menu Breakfast Event is Sponsored by Norway Savings Bank. Visit www.mereda.org for more information and to register.

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Maine Real Estate & Development Association Names New President and Announces 2018-2019 Officers

July 31, 2018

Gary Vogel, attorney at Drummond Woodsum, is the new president of the Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA), a statewide organization of commercial real estate owners, developers and related service providers. Founded in 1985, MEREDA promotes responsible development and ownership of real estate in Maine through legislative advocacy, educational programs and professional networking opportunities. Gary succeeds Paul Peck of Drummond & Drummond who led the Association the last two years. Since joining the Board of Directors in 2004, Gary chaired the Public Policy Committee for 13 years and continues to serve on MEREDA’s Executive Committee. “I am excited about the opportunity to step up and lead MEREDA. MEREDA is one of the most impactful statewide trade organizations and exerts a huge positive benefit for the entire state of Maine,” Vogel stated. A shareholder (partner) at the law firm of Drummond Woodsum, Gary’s practice is concentrated in real estate real estate development, finance transactions, commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions and commercial law. His practice often involves developments utilizing the Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, Federal and State Historic Tax Credits and New Market Tax Credits. He has been practicing law in Portland for over 30 years and resides in Yarmouth. MEREDA also announced its 2018 / 2019 slate of officers which include President Gary Vogel of Drummond Woodsum, Vice Presidents Bruce Jones of Creative Office Pavilion and Brian Curley of PDT Architects, Treasurer William Shanahan, of Northern New England Housing Investment Fund and Secretary Shelly R. Clark, who also serves full time as MEREDA’s Vice President of Operations. [caption id="attachment_3079" align="aligncenter" width="618"] L-R: Gary Vogel, Bruce Jones, Brian Curley, Bill Shanahan, Shelly R. Clark[/caption] For further information, please contact MEREDA’s Vice President of Operations, Shelly R. Clark at 207-874-0801 or visit www.dev.mereda.org.

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Maine Real Estate & Development Association Announces Public Policy Committee Chair

July 30, 2018

Michael Lane of Richmond, a partner at Preti Flaherty, is the Maine Real Estate & Development Association’s (MEREDA’s) new Public Policy Committee Chair. Mike succeeds recently elected MEREDA President, Gary ...

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Maine Real Estate & Development Association Announces Public Policy Committee Chair

July 30, 2018

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Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) Announces Appointments to Board of Directors

July 26, 2018

Dan Brennan, Director of MaineHousing, and resident of Winslow, and Shawn McKenna of Scarborough, Vice President, Commercial Banking, at Bangor Savings Bank, have been elected to the board of directors of the Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA), a statewide organization of commercial real estate owners, developers and related service providers. In April, the Maine Senate unanimously confirmed the nomination of Dan Brennan, a member of MaineHousing’s leadership team, as Director of the $1.7 billion financial institution that serves more than 90,000 people statewide annually. The Senate vote followed a unanimous vote by the Maine Legislature’s Labor, Commerce, Research, and Economic Development Committee on Tuesday, April 3. He was nominated by Governor Paul LePage on March 19. Brennan has been serving as Senior Director of Programs, overseeing departments responsible for creating single and multifamily housing, addressing homelessness, managing Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, and administering the federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) as well as the Department of Energy Weatherization Program. Brennan received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine in Orono and his Master’s in Business Administration from Thomas College in Waterville. He is currently participating in the Maine Development Foundation’s Leadership Maine program. MaineHousing is a $1.7 billion financial institution that bridges public and private housing finance, combining them to benefit Maine’s low and moderate-income people. MaineHousing brings millions of new private and federal housing funds to invest in Maine to create safe, affordable, warm housing. In his role as a vice president and commercial real estate lender, Shawn is a creative individual that is eager to thoroughly understand any idea, product, or concept. Over the last two decades with Bangor Savings Bank, he has held roles as a commercial underwriter, real estate appraisal review specialist, and commercial portfolio manager. Shawn’s interest in solving problems, conceiving new concepts, and understanding a borrower’s needs comes in handy when working with a multitude of commercial banking clients. Outside of the office, Shawn is an avid automobile and outdoor enthusiast that enjoys spending time with his wife Traci and their two French bulldogs, Boston and Una. Shawn currently serves on MEREDA’s Membership & Marketing Committee. “Both MaineHousing and Bangor Savings Bank have been great supporters of MEREDA over the years and we are pleased that Dan and Shawn have accepted our invitation to sit on the board. We look forward to their active participation in furthering MEREDA’s mission of promoting responsible real estate development throughout Maine,” says Shelly R. Clark, Vice President of Operations for MEREDA. For further information, please contact MEREDA’s Vice President of Operations, Shelly R. Clark at 207-874-0801 or visit www.dev.mereda.org.

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MEREDA Blog

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So Do We Have a Deal? Maybe Not

MEREDA’s Morning Menu – Fair Winds and Following Seas: A Conversation with MDOT Commissioner, David Bernhardt and Eimskip’s Larus Isfeld

Maine Real Estate & Development Association Names New President and Announces 2018-2019 Officers

Maine Real Estate & Development Association Announces Public Policy Committee Chair

Maine Real Estate & Development Association Announces Public Policy Committee Chair

Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) Announces Appointments to Board of Directors