The City of Caribou received a Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) grant for a Riverfront Master Plan and the purchase of two key assets on the Aroostook River. Status as of 1/1/2024: The City has had environmental assessments done on the properties and all other needed reviews to submit documentation for a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process as required by the grant. The 30-day comment period is now open (see public notices on the website for details). After the City receives the “Final Notice To Proceed”, a request for proposal (RFP) meeting NBRC guidelines will be posted on the City’s website’s RFP page located at cariboumaine.org/rfps
The NBRC grant will fund a Riverfront Master Plan to promote economic development, tourism, recreation, environmental protection, and enhance the sense of place for Caribou. In addition, two available properties critical to maintaining and enhancing the historical, cultural, and environmental qualities in Caribou will be purchased by the City. One is a vacant building cited as dangerous, unsafe, and subject to vandalism, which be demolished, making way for new investment; and another building will be rehabilitated and re-purposed. They are adjacent parcels in the heart of the Riverfront Revitalization District, a cited economic and recreational priority in city planning documents over the last twenty years. When the Riverfront Master Plan is complete and the highest and best use articulated for the purchased properties, we anticipate finding a commercial use with a public benefit. This will create a municipally owned anchor for the City of Caribou riverfront renaissance. The project will complement ongoing city initiatives including: a riverfront EPA Brownfields Clean Up, Caribou Mill pond restoration project and a Maine DOT Village Partnership Initiative transportation project.
The City is not releasing the location of the two buildings to be purchased until all preliminary environmental review and appraisals can be completed.
This project aligns with the NBRC goal of “Turning Assets into Community Revitalization Success.” It supports “the well-being of the region’s residents and stewardship of the region’s natural and cultural assets.” Riverfront revitalization efforts support retention and attraction of new businesses and residents. Households and businesses will have improved access to infrastructure (riverfront culture and recreation). NBRC investment leverage is evidenced by economic impacts of riverfront parks.
Additionally, Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC), as the Local Development District (LDD), will receive 2% of the award amount for management of the grant. Jon Gulliver will be the project lead.
Additional Funding Sources:
The community match will primarily consist of in-kind work provided by city staff. Examples: The Parks and Recreation department will work to on any reseeding of areas, the Public Works department can help with demolition tasks and the city manager will be responsible for seeing that everything is done in keeping with the program rules.
Caribou’s riverfront development has been discussed since the early 2000’s, but City administration turnover and lack of consistent efforts have precluded action. A group of local community members started meeting to discuss a strategy to capitalize on the underutilized Aroostook River frontage in Caribou. In 2021, the City Council officially created the Caribou Riverfront Renaissance Committee (CRRC). The CRRC initiated fundraising for a Riverfront Master Plan in 2021 and obtained a $7,000 cash donation from ENGIE North America, a locally invested international energy company with a focus on efficient, long-term, carbon-reducing solutions, supporting customers through their renewable and low-carbon energy transition, while creating jobs, economic opportunities, and trusted customer and community partnerships. Additionally, $2,000 was received from the Presque Isle Walmart, and $1,000 from Lattice Technologies, a local business consultant. A budget request from the City Council resulted in an additional $10,000 for the plan. NBRC funds are needed to purchase strategic riverfront properties that are available now and may not be in the future. The Caribou Comprehensive Plan is currently being re-written and public participation in the planning process, especially around potential riverfront economic development, is very strong. With such support for a plan, we feel that there will be strong community support for additional funding.
The Downtown Omnibus Municipal Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District Development program states that TIF funds may be used “for development of Riverfront area and public ways improvements including sidewalks and landscaping”. Funds may also be used for recreational trails and signage, façade improvement and building demolition/remodeling for commercial use.
Committee updates can be found here: cariboumaine.org/riverfront
Media coverage of this planning project:
https://www.wagmtv.com/2023/10/02/caribou-receives-grant-improve-riverfront