Maine City Looks to Relocate Scrap Yards

The city of Portland, Maine, is looking to redevelop a key part of the city as a step toward attracting high-tech firms into the city. As part of the step, the city is looking to relocate two scrap metal recycling facilities in the designated area to other parts of the greater Portland area.

The plan, which has been in development since the mid-90’s, looks to redevelop a 100 acre site in the city known as Bayside. The germination of the project traces back to a report called “A Vision for Bayside,” which was put together several years ago. The report determined that the two scrap yards, New England Metal Recycling and E. Perry Iron & Metal, were "the single most inhibiting factor to the successful redevelopment of Bayside.”

The city has been in discussions with the two companies over finding suitable locations in the greater Portland area. According to Mark Adelson, director of housing and neighborhood services for the city of Portland, the plan is to have the two scrap companies relocated within the next 12 months.

According to local press reports, while the city has been in discussion witht he companies, Portland also has hired an expert who specializes in removing undesirable properties by eminent domain, and establishing an official Bayside Development District to take advantage of federal funding available for such projects.

The City Council is expected to hold a public hearing and vote Jan. 21 on a proposal to establish a municipal development district in Bayside and take advantage of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970. The council's community development committee unanimously approved the measure this month.

The city has hired Peter W. Sleeper Associates of Arlington, Mass., to assess the cost and feasibility of relocating the scrap yards. Adelson said Sleeper's specialty is eminent domain proceedings under federal law. Sleeper works with appraisers, moving companies and real estate agents to bring about desired land-takings.

Adelson adds that the two scrap yards are the only impediments to going forward with the project. While the city has had discussions with the two companies, he says that discussions with New England have been “fairly receptive,” while Perry has expressed “a little more concern about relocating.”