MEREDA’s Morning Menu – How to Rezone a Town: Lessons Learned During ReCode
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
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.
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.
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.
Thank you to our Breakfast Series Sponsor:
Time
March 20, 2025 8:30 am - 10:00 am
Location
McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center
35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME
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. 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.
Parking Instructions (PDF)
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Event Details
Each year, MEREDA identifies and recognizes the most noteworthy and significant Maine commercial development projects from the previous year. These Notable Projects embody MEREDA’s mission of responsible development.
Event Details
Each year, MEREDA identifies and recognizes the most noteworthy and significant Maine commercial development projects from the previous year. These Notable Projects embody MEREDA’s mission of responsible development.
We’re excited to honor the 2024 Notable Projects on May 14th as we also celebrate our 40th anniversary. This “social celebration” will be in place of our Spring Social. Please join us – it will be a “Notable Night with MEREDA!
We are also partnering with Mainebiz who will be producing a special publication called “Groundbreaking Maine” to be released in June. This will put a spotlight on the innovators, general contractors, engineers, architects, and the developments that showcase responsible development in action!
Refund Policy: Your RSVP is requested by May 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 May 7. Prices increase by $10 after May 7.
Interested in supporting this event? As you know, MEREDA’s networking events are great business development tools, and can provide great exposure for your company. We invite you to participate in this special event as a sponsor – you can maximize your exposure to industry leaders!
Consider Joining TD Bank, Bangor Savings Bank, City of Augusta, Daigle Commercial Group, Westbrook Development Corporation and Evernorth with a Sponsorship! Your Logo could be Here!
Please reach out to the MEREDA Office to learn more or Download the Sponsorship Details Here!
Scroll down for parking instructions.
Time
May 14, 2025 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Location
Hannaford Hall - Abromson Community Education Center
88 Bedford Street, Portland, ME
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)
Maine Real Estate Development Association
6 City Center 3rd Floor
Portland, ME 04101
info@mereda.org