Project "Ocean Gateway" reflects recommendations made by the Mayor's Phase 1 Waterfront Task Force. These ideas are the result of a State and City study regarding the reuse of the Bath Iron Works (BIW) Portland Facility when it is vacated on December 31, 2001. As part of that study, the City reviewed its cruise ship and container trade looking for ways to accommodate its growing market share. The scope of Project "Ocean Gateway" includes the facilities of BIW and the Casco Bay Island Transit District as well as their interaction as transportation terminals. These properties will likely share many infrastructure improvements and will be master planned as an integrated ocean gateway. This project retains our connection with our maritime heritage and enhances our working waterfront to meet the growing needs of the maritime marketplace.
Effects on the Community
Q: Why is all of this really so important?
A: Portland has a long history as an important seaport. We have two significant deepwater marine facilities strategically poised to meet the expanding needs of our existing passenger and cargo operations. These operations contribute $50 million annually to the local and State economies. The port serves not only the Cities of Portland and South Portland, but also the entire State of Maine. This project will preserve irreplaceable deep-water ship berthing.
The new Ocean Gateway facility will be one of three cornerstone transportation complexes, along with the Jetport and Portland Station, serving the needs of Maine's citizens, and the millions of travelers who visit our "ports" annually. This project is part of our integrated, inter-modal strategic transportation action plan.
Q: How will this change "our" Portland?
A: The changes will mostly be location-oriented. Cruise ship operations will shift to the newly upgraded Ocean Gateway facility. Cargo operations will remain at the International Marine Terminal (IMT) and be expanded.
Q: How will the new Ocean Gateway terminal impact current and future waterfront plans?
A: Conversion of the BIW property to a marine transportation facility will most likely create new opportunities for ship servicing businesses and new jobs while increasing tourism traffic throughout the Old Port and downtown areas of Portland.
Q: How will this impact the Eastern Prom Trail or Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad?
A: We will work closely with Portland Trails, the Eastern Prom Trail Committee and the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad to address their concerns. The trail and the railroad remain an essential part of the waterfront and will be incorporated into the site design of the facility.
Q: What will the Ocean Gateway facility be like when it's operational? Will it be noisy or brightly illuminated at night?
A: When operating, the facility should have less impact on neighboring businesses and area residents than its current use as an industrial ship building and repair facility. All lighting installations will be done in accordance with "Dark Sky" zoning requirements.
Q: What changes are anticipated for the Casco Bay Island Transit District Facility?
A: The existing terminal will be expanded to more efficiently handle passengers and freight. The entire facility will be integrated into a master plan for all the properties involved.
Q: Will the public have access to the terminal or to the waterfront property at Ocean Gateway?
A: The public will have access to the existing trail system. We also envision a waterfront park and promenade as part of the design increasing public access to the waterfront. The terminal building and piers will be operated under United States Coast Guard regulations, requiring some security areas.
Q: Will there still be a public landing?
A: Yes, the public landing will be enlarged and possibly relocated. Ideally, the landing will allow layovers of two to three hours, provide automobile access, and provide some short term storage, all so that visitors arriving by boat can more easily shop and dine in Portland.
Q: Will we lose our view of the waterfront?
A: No. The project team recognizes that the views of the water from the city are one of Portland's greatest assets. The removal of the dry dock provides the public with expanded views of the harbor. The terminal building may be converted or removed depending on its condition. To accommodate today's larger ships, the existing second floor may be extended, but it will not exceed the City of Portland's current height requirements.
Q: What about property that is adjacent to the Ocean Gateway facility?
A: The City of Portland recognizes that Ocean Gateway can increase the attractiveness of the entire eastern waterfront area. Portland is working cooperatively with the community and property owners to gain maximum value from this project using a broad-based community Master Planning approach.
Q: How will traffic conditions be affected?
A: Traffic conditions on Commercial Street and parking in the Old Port may improve. All Ocean Gateway traffic will most likely use Franklin Arterial. IMT cargo traffic will be routed over the new I-295 connector. A traffic study will be conducted as part of the design process.
The facility will eventually connect with air, bus and rail services via the Inter-terminal Shuttle, which we anticipate will further decrease vehicle traffic.
Q: Will this facility compete with the Old Port?
A: No. The new facility is a transportation center designed to handle passengers moving to and from vessels. It will provide passengers with greater access to the Old Port area, creating more foot traffic than the Old Port might otherwise experience.
Ocean Gateway Facility
Q: How many people will be using the Ocean Gateway facility
on a yearly basis?
A: The Casco Bay Island Transit District is currently handling approximately 900,000 passengers per year with an anticipated annual growth of 3%. They also handle 17,000 vehicles annually.
Cruise Ship port of calls are expected to funnel an additional 75,000 people per year through the facility. Most vehicle traffic will be limited to tour buses, cabs and limousines.
Q: During what hours will the new Ocean Gateway facility operate?
| A: We do not anticipate extending the facility's operating hours. Here are the current schedules: |
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Q: What about parking at Ocean Gateway?
A: As part of the master plan, there will need to be parking for islanders (300), cruise service providers, private sector and any others deemed necessary (200). The project team is exploring the possibility of using off-site parking, in order to keep the project site as attractive as possible. Queuing areas may be also reused in the winter for off street parking.
Q: What will happen to the new Ocean Gateway facility during
the winter months?
A: The terminal will be maintained and operated under permitted uses, as governed by City of Portland ordinances.
At a minimum, the facility will provide the public with increased waterfront access, year round, in a park-like setting, capable of supporting water oriented events. In addition, the terminal will be made available to the U.S. Navy, Canadian Navy, U. S. Coast Guard, research vessels and others year round vessels operators in New England.
Q: What types of travel services will be in the terminal?
A: The terminal will provide traditional travel services consistent with other passenger terminals in the City, and in accordance with the City ordinances. Some of the amenities will include a business center, information center, interport shuttle, TIDS (Transportation Information Display System) terminals and food services.
Q: What else will be in the terminal?
A: The terminal will include, passenger lobbies, ticketing areas, restrooms, US Customs and Immigration Federal Inspection Facility, baggage handling areas, warehousing areas, offices, travel services, Seamen's Center, and a visitors information center.
Management & Costs
Q: How will the development of the project be managed?
A: The Mayor has appointed a committee to manage the public process associated with the conversion of the site from an industrial facility to a transportation complex. This process will address traffic, public access, neighborhood impacts, parking, potential private sector issues in adjacent areas and other key concerns. The committee will also insure that the end result is consistent with City policies. There is also a larger committee dedicated solely to looking at the Master Planning of the entire Portland Waterfront, reviewing both public and private concerns regarding use of the waterfront.
Q: How will the Ocean Gateway terminal and pier conversion be managed?
A: The City's professional maritime staff is working with the State, the operational tenants who will use the facility, and a selected design and engineering firm Woodard & Curran (Portland) in partnership with Bruno-Elias Associates (Miami) to develop a world class passenger and ferry terminal.
Q: Who will operate the facility?
A: The City's Department of Transportation and Waterfront manages all municipal marine facilities, as well as the future rail/bus station and the Jetport. Tenants such as ferry companies, cruise lines, and airlines manage their own operations in conjunction with PDOT. CBITD also manages its own terminal as a tenant.
Q: What will the facility cost to operate?
A: The City's Department of Transportation and Waterfront is undertaking a comprehensive study of all of its marine facilities to identify long term operating expenses and determine revenue goals. The City plans to operate all of its facilities in a fiscally responsible manner.
Q: What will the construction process be like?
A: The majority of facility renovations involve the interior of the main building, construction of an expanded Pier 2, reconstruction of the seawall and installation of passenger and vehicle transfer bridges. We expect little or no noise and all hours of construction would be conducted within current city ordinance requirements. The bulk of the project is expected to take 12-18 months and should be completed by the end of 2003.
Q: How much will Phase I of the construction project cost?
A: Ocean Gateway Project Concept Budget Plan| Demolition of existing facilities | $ 350K |
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$ 9.1M - $11.2M |
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$ 3.3M - $ 3.9M |
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$ 1.9M - $ 2.1M |
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$ 450K |
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| Total Estimated Program Cost | $15 M - $ 18 M |
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Note: Total estimated program costs include 20% construction contingency and 15% allowance for design/permitting. Costs do not anticipate dredging, environmental conditions such as contaminated soils or CSO outfall modifications, and utilize roadways for internal circulation patterns only.
