Aerial photo courtesy of MXH Marketing
The Town of Skowhegan has a lot going on, including a number of infrastructure and traffic-related projects. Add to that the ongoing safety concerns of pedestrians who use the downtown rotary, and we’ve got plenty of reasons to bring the community together to proactively plan for Skowhegan’s future.
In 2021, we re-launched our Village Design Committee with an energetic group of community members (see list below). The committee is currently tackling projects that will help slow traffic, connect downtown to the river, and make downtown safer and more accessible for pedestrians.
Tactical urbanism—crosswalk painting, pop-up riverfront greenspace—projects are just the beginning. We are currently partnered with the Town, Build Maine, and MaineDOT, and we regularly seek community feedback and ideas.
Village Design Projects
- Riverfront Development—Main Street Skowhegan was awarded a $2 million earmark in March 2022 to redevelop the downtown riverfront in anticipation of the future Skowhegan River Park. Riverfront enhancements will include a promenade, viewing areas, and river access between the Old Mill Pub and the Municipal Building in downtown Skowhegan. Community members are invited to participate in the design process via series of public meetings (design charrettes) August 22, 23, and 24. Learn more here.
- Village Connector Network—In partnership with the Town’s Resiliency Committee, our committee is dedicated to getting our residents around town more safely. Stay tuned for a concept plan for a bike/pedestrian connector network that will provide active transportation opportunities from schools to downtown to grocery stores, trailheads, and more!
- Village Partnership Initiative—Main Street Skowhegan’s Design Committee will work with the Town of Skowhegan and MaineDOT throughout the town’s Village Partnership Initiative. A placemaking initiative at its core, the goal of the VPI collaboration is to develop and implement a master design plan for Skowhegan’s commercial core that will improve the quality of life for residents while promoting economic growth, enhancing the visitor experience, and guiding future development of Skowhegan.
Design Committee Members
- Darryll White, Lake George Regional Park
- Brian Eng, Developer
- Margi Browne, WesArts & Lakewood Golf Course
- Lisa Landry, Redington-Fairview General Hospital
- Steve Govoni, Select Board & Wentworth Partners
- Luke York, Chamber of Commerce & 201 Service
- Joel Greenwood, Skowhegan Town Planner
- Jeff & Pam Powers, Bigelow Brewing
- Joe Almand, Skowhegan Fire Department
- Kristie LeBlanc, Somerset Public Health
- Garrett Quinn, Whittemore’s Real Estate
- Eli Soll & Kim Leo, The SPACE on the River
- David Larkin, Somerset Woods Trustees
- Jack Gibson, Somerset Woods Trustees
- Steve Dionne, Dionne & Son Builders
- Ida Earle, RE/MAX At Home
- David James, community member
- Jon Kimbell, community member
- Kristina Cannon, Main Street Skowhegan
- Patric Moore, Main Street Skowhegan
