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Peter Crichton

Peter Crichton, County Manager

207-871-8380

Cumberland County Government
142 Federal Street
Portland, ME 04101


Civic Center

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Cumberland County Civic Center News

CIVIC CENTER RENOVATION NEWS - Jan. 11th, 2012

On December 21st, the Cumberland County Civic Center Board of Trustees selected WBRC and Sink Combs Dethlefs as the architects and engineers for the renovation of the Civic Center. Don Dethlefs, principal Sink Combs Dethlefs, has an extensive track record designing and renovating mid-sized arenas. Together WBRC and Sink Comb Dethlefs designed the new Bangor Arena currently under construction.

The architects have identified an aggressive time- line for the design of this project. The conceptual design phase is currently under way and is expected to take about one month. Concurrently, surveys will be conducted including a complete laser measuring of the interior and exterior of the venue. This survey will assist the architects in developing a set of “as built” plans from which the new design will evolve. A hazard materials survey will also be conducted which will identify any specialty sub-contractors that may need to be engaged.

The Civic Center Trustees voted unanimously to use the Construction Manager at Risk construction model for the Civic Center renovation. An RFP/Q will be issued on Jan. 13th, 2012 for Construction Management Services. Once the Construction Manager has joined the team, the design will be finalized and a construction time-line developed.

July 11, 2011 - CIVIC CENTER BUILDING COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES PUBLIC HEARINGS

In the ongoing efforts to provide citizens with information and to receive taxpayer input, the Cumberland County Commissioners have announced Public hearing dates for citizens to weigh in on their thoughts for restoring the aging Cumberland County Civic Center. The building committee, co-chaired by Commissioner Jim Cloutier and Civic Center Trustee Joe Bruno, has been meeting for some time to review potential options for restoration. The Commissioners will vote the first part of August as to putting a referendum to the voters to borrow money for the restoration funding. Funds previously allocated to pay for the Cumberland County jail could be available in 2012, as that debt has been paid off this year.

Jim Cloutier, chair of the County Commissioners said, "It is vital we get input from our citizens on how best to restore the Center to bring it into the competition of the 21st Century. This building has been around for 35 years, serving the County, the State and part of New England with world famous acts. In order to keep that viable, something must be done, but that is a decision resting in the hands of our taxpayers. We need to hear from them at our public forums and get their views on this important decision."

The meetings will be as follows:

The public is cordially invited to attend any and all meetings.

The Commissioners will consider authorizing the submission to the voters of a request for bonding approval in an amount to be determined, not to exceed $35 million. Architects, Civic Center Trustees and Commissioners will be available to take questions and seek information.

For more information contact Peter Crichton at 207-871-8380.

March 17, 2011 - Portland-based SMRT will develop civic center plan
(reprint from Portland Press Herald Local Dispatches)

A Portland-based architectural firm (SMRT) has been selected to develop a conceptual plan for renovating the Cumberland County Civic Center.

The civic center's board of trustees announced Wednesday that it has selected SMRT to develop the plan. Any final plan for renovation will be presented in November to Cumberland County voters for approval.

"We were very fortunate to have a number of very strong architectural firms respond to our request for qualifications on this project," said Neal Pratt, chairman of the trustees.

September 27, 2007, Portland, Maine - On Wednesday night the Civic Center Joint Task Force held a public forum. It was an opportunity for members of the public to learn more and share their thoughts about improving the Civic Center building and its surrounding area. Over 50 people packed the Penalty Box Grill to listen and share their thoughts.

The Joint Task Force recently retained the Boston office of Struever Bros, Eccles & Rouse, led by renowned architect and planner Janet Marie Smith, to provide direction in the planning and design of the Civic Center. Ms. Smith and her team have begun their work and are seeking input from all interested parties throughout the region as design and program concepts are developed. Ms. Smith was in attendance at the Public Forum.

The Civic Center Joint Task Force is comprised of representatives from the Cumberland County Civic Center (Trustees Neal Pratt and John Menario); Cumberland County (Commissioner Richard Feeney and Assistant Director Bill Whitten); the City of Portland (Councilor James Cohen and City Manager Joseph Gray); and the Portland Pirates LLC (Brian Petrovek, Lyman Bullard). The Joint Task Force was formed on June 27, 2007.

For further information, please contact Neal Pratt, Chair of the Joint Task Force (253-4636) or click here to give us your feedback. Click here for Janet Marie Smith's presentation - September 26, 2007.