Redevelopment Efforts Firmly on Path to Realizing Vision for Former Brunswick Navy Base
Brunswick Landing is becoming the bustling live, work and play community envisioned in the Reuse Master Plan, and the Topsham Commerce Park is fully developed.
It is hard to imagine that the Navy base closed down 10 years ago. To look at what we inherited in 2011, it’s astonishing to see how far we have come.
Naval Air Station Brunswick was a bustling military base, with over 5,000 military and civilian personnel. It was a key installation in protecting our country for over 60 years. It was also a consistent contributor to our local, regional and state economies, as well as an integral part of the culture of the towns of Brunswick and Topsham.
When we started receiving property transfers from the Navy in 2011, we were excited to begin this process and optimistic about the ultimate future of the former base. But we were certainly anxious about managing the daunting challenge ahead of us, replacing the loss of this large economic driver during a major recession.
I do believe we were well prepared for the task ahead of us, as we had gone through all the requisite land use, environmental, airport and infrastructure planning efforts, which provided the blueprint for what Brunswick Landing and Topsham Commerce Park were to become. These planning efforts started in 2006, following the Base Realignment and Closure Commission’s decision to close the base.
While there are certainly multiple challenges to redeveloping a former military base, I believe we have established the important public- and private-sector relationships and partnerships to implement the Reuse Master Plan in order to be successful in this type of endeavor. I cannot say enough about the contributions of our talented and creative Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority team (both staff and trustees) who are working hard every day to make this dream a reality.
When we inherited the base facilities in Brunswick and Topsham 10 years ago, we had nearly 2 million square feet of vacant buildings on the campuses. All the 650 residential housing units and former Navy barracks were completely empty. The “ghost town” analogy was certainly applicable to this place. Ten years later, Brunswick Landing is becoming the bustling live, work and play community we originally envisioned in the Reuse Master Plan, and the Topsham Commerce Park is fully developed.
- Over 150 business entities are now on the Brunswick Landing and Topsham campuses, collectively employing over 2,500 people.
- All the former base housing units are now full, and new rental and for-sale dwellings are being constructed to meet the local demand for affordably priced housing
- We have a college presence with both the Southern Maine Community College Midcoast campus and outlets of the University of Maine System
- We are the home of Brunswick Executive Airport, an important regional business and general aviation facility
- We are the home of TechPlace, Maine’s premier technology business incubator and a major element in Maine’s innovation economy
- One hundred percent of our energy needs are derived from renewable sources, with a goal of total on-campus self-generation.
- Over 1,500 acres of land are being actively managed for conservation and passive recreation purposes
- Over $750 million in private-sector and $60 million in public investments have been made into both the Brunswick and Topsham campuses
- And lastly, the redevelopment effort is contributing nearly $4 million per year in annual real estate property tax revenues to the towns of Brunswick and Topsham.
While there is certainly a long way to go in this redevelopment process and many new challenges to overcome, I think it is safe to say that we are on a very good path to realizing the original visions of the plan. I am certainly very proud of what we have accomplished to date, and I am very excited to see what this place will look like in another 10 years.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in the Portland Press Herald, June 26th, 2021.<
Air Show Returning to BXM Labor Day Weekend.
On Sept. 4-5, Brunswick Executive Airport will host the Great State of Maine Air Show, featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels demo team, for the first time since 2017. Several other aerial acts will be performing, and a full schedule will be announced in the coming weeks. A number of static aircraft displays are expected as well. Last’s year’s show was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Air Show Network is managing the show once again. Tickets go on sale July 6 at GreatStateOfMaineAirShow.us and will be available online only.
Battle Royale: STARC Systems Takes on bluShift Aerospace on Greenlight Maine
Two Brunswick Landing manufacturing businesses squared off recently on Greenlight Maine, a popular Maine public television reality program where contestants engage in an entrepreneurial competition, in this case, for a cash prize of $50,000. A pair of TechPlace graduates, bluShift Aerospace and STARC Systems, were among the three finalists. STARC took 2nd place whle bluShift battled hard and took third place. Bixby Chocolate won the overall title. Shows available on Greenlight Maine YouTube channel.
MRRA’s Steve Levesque to Retire at End of 2021
In May, Steve Levesque, the Executive Director of MRRA announced his retirement, effective December 31, 2021. Kristine Logan, MRRA’s Deputy Director of Innovation and Development and Director of TechPlace has been appointed as the new Executive Director beginning January 2022. Over the next few months, she will be working with the MRRA Board and staff to transition into her new role. Steve has led the redevelopment effort of Naval Air Station Brunswick (NASB) since the beginning of the project. He has been MRRA’s only Executive Director since its formation in 2008. He was previously the Executive Director of the Brunswick Local Redevelopment Authority, which was charged with overseeing the successful completion of the Reuse Master Plan for NASB. We wish him well as he’s done a great job over the past 16 years since the Navy announced base closure in 2005. Read press release on Steve’s retirement.
Summer Traffic Increases Need for Road Safety at Brunswick Landing
With a busy summer tourist season ahead, MRRA requests that all users of its roadways system be courteous, law-abiding, and careful. We have had several instances of poor vehicular behavior on Brunswick Landing roadways. We also ask that drivers obey the speed limits and traffic signs and be cautious of bicyclist and pedestrians, who frequent the roads. Brunswick Landing’s roads are considered private roads. They are not owned or maintained by the Town of Brunswick. However, the Brunswick Police Department does patrol them and will issue summonses for traffic violations. MRRA can request criminal trespassing notices to be issued to individuals who repeatedly violate the law. To help increase safety, MRRA is implementing several road projects this summer, including re- striping and replacement of traffic signs where needed. Lastly, the use of Brunswick Landing roadways is for local traffic only. For safety reasons, motorists should not be using Brunswick Landing roadways as a cut-thru. Any questions about roads at Brunswick Landing may be directed to MRRA’s public works department by calling 207-798-6512.
Governor Mills Visits bluShift Aerospace, Announces Business Recovery Plan
State of Maine Gov. Janet Mills visited Brunswick Landing on June 3rd. During the stop, she met with new space startup bluShift Aerospace, a manufacturer of bio-fueled rockets, designed for commercial cube satellite launches. At the meeting, the Governor promoted the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan’s investment in innovation to spur economic growth as Maine recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Mills’ plan proposes spending $80 million to expanding public sector business support through increased research and development spending, her office explained in a release. Investments in research and development are a “key driver of economic growth,” the Maine Development Foundation’s Measures of Growth report indicates.
Link to Governor’s Plan Announcement:
Additional Lots Available for Redevelopment as Real Estate Market Stays Hot
MRRA recently created an additional 14 lots that were approved by the Town for the Brunswick Landing subdivision. Twelve of the new lots are on the north side of campus and vary in size between 2 and 7 acres. We’ll have five lots on Katahdin Drive, three on Allagash, and three on Admiral Fitch. The other lots are located off Orion Street where future Commerce Drive will be constructed. We plan to offer them for sale sometime in August. Several have already been spoken for. We expect to receive more property from the Navy by years end, including the old ball fields off Fitch Ave. Please contact MRRA’s Ben Sturtevant for more information.
Featured Property: 45 Katahdin Drive
Former Navy Building 658 at the old fuel farm is available for lease after a previous tenant outgrew the facility, a common occurrence at Brunswick Landing. The 2,000-square-foot building is located near Hangar 6 in a quiet location on airport property. Although technically part of the airport, it can be used for non-aeronautical purposes. It is roughly half office / shop space with an open industrial area. The building is in the Town’s GM-7 business zone, which allows for a number of business activities. It could be used for light manufacturing or professional office with renovations. Additional land is available behind the building for expansion or other activities related to the business. Lease rate: $6 / SF NNN. Contact MRRA’s real estate department for more information. View specs.
