WALKER TERRACE
One Walker Street (corner of Congress and Walker Streets), Portland, ME
This six story building replaced
an abandoned gas station, thus transforming
both the site and the neighborhood around it. It also helps to fulfill the city's goal of providing greater housing density along its main arteries which
feature public transportation. The project includes 40 one- and two-bedroom apartments, half of which rents to households with incomes below 60% of the area
median. The other half rents at market rates. Walker Terrace is the first building in Maine built to Maine State Housing Authority's Green Building
Standards. Like Casco Terrace, it is a completely non-smoking property.
From the Portland Press Herald, September 21, 2004:
"Eager for any smart-growth infill opportunity to augment urban housing and curb Greater Portland sprawl, the Portland City Council unanimously let developer Nathan Szanton build 40 varied-income rental units on 0.4 acres of a former gas station in the West End, more than twice the number the current zoning allows, with Mayor Nathan Smith saying, ''This project does just about everything we as a city have been asking for.''
Blending into the neighborhood, the proposed Walker Terrace building will have a sixth-floor mezzanine featuring decks and cathedral ceilings in some apartments, reports Portland Press Herald writer Mark Peters, and will offer 20 affordable and 20 market-rate units, with one-bedroom-apartment rents at $660 and $1,050 a month, respectively.
Backed by housing and transit advocates, nearby landlords and some residents, the developer pointed out at the council's hearing that his building, its parking space halved to one per apartment, will make tenants take local buses more often and will also spur foot traffic in the area. But some neighbors questioned his assertion, worried about the project's density and potential parking problems, and called instead for several smaller buildings with more parking spaces."
Designed by Archetype, P.A., Portland, ME, and built by Portland Builders, Portland, ME, the project was financed by MaineHousing; the City of Portland, ME; Centerline Capital of New York City; Bank of America and HUD.