City of Auburn, MaineNew Auburn Village Center Plan
This plan focuses on the in-town area of New Auburn, proposing multiple phases of improvements to the riverfront between Mill and Broad streets. It is based on the Master Plan for New Auburn, which is part of the 2010 Comprehensive Plan update. Using this plan, the city aims to create a long-term, approach to the growth and prosperity of New Auburn by creating a new Village setting that includes a new trail, a home for the Saint Louis Bells and a complete streets design that promotes activities such as a new Famer's Market, Art Fairs and entertainment. Much work has been done to create a feasible implementation plan that is now underway.
The Staff made a presentation to the Auburn City Council on February 26, 2018. Click on this link to see that presentation.
NAVCP Update Presentation 2-26-18.pdf
New Auburn Village Center Plan Background Information
Background- New Auburn has been the subject of numerous planning efforts over the last 7-8 years. The 2010 Comprehensive Plan devoted an entire section to a “New Auburn Master Plan”[1], which included many recommendations for land use, zoning and a redevelopment concept for the lower portion of New Auburn between Mill and Broad Streets.
Between 2012 and 2014, T Y LIN Consultants were hired to evaluate the transportation network around the New Auburn “Center” and come up with recommendations for a new street layout and redevelopment plan. A citizen committee was established that worked with city planning staff and consultants and developed the “New Auburn Village Center Plan”[2] that included a greenway trail along the Little and Big Androscoggin Rivers, a new Riverway Street and compact village center. The Village Center Plan Committee reached a consensus on the plan[3] which was adopted by the City Council in August of 2014.
The 2014 New Auburn Village Center Master Plan included a Greenway trail, Riverway Road and Village Center redevelopment area, but was a concept, not an actual plan that could be used for construction purposes. In 2015, the City Council allocated funding to hire consultants to finalize the New Auburn Village Center design and develop construction drawings and cost estimates to make the plan a reality. VHB and Coplon Associates were selected to do this work and went under contract in December of 2015[4].
New Auburn Village Center Final Plan- The first public meeting for the NAVCP final plan was held on January 7, 2016 at the Boys and Girls Club in New Auburn.[5] Based on feedback from the public, a Greenway and Riverway plan was developed. As the Planning Staff and Consultants refined the final plans, a strategy was proposed to redevelop the area in phases to allow the overall project to be built as finances became available. The second public meeting was held on May 19, 2016 in the Saint Louis Church.[6] The presentation included the 4 phases that could be built over the course of 20 years. The Consultants and Staff continued to work through the summer on plan details and meeting with property owners. A final design meeting was held on October 26, 2016 at Walton Elementary School to get final ideas and comments.[7]
Project Funding- The New Auburn Village Center Plan has been generously supported by the Auburn City Council as well as a $250,000 grant from the Northern Borders Regional Commission. The most current budget for the current year (FY 17-18) is on this file. NAVCP Budget 2-21-18.pdf
The City Council is now considering additional funding in the FY 18-19 budget to complete a majority of the work.
[1] 2010 Comprehensive Plan- New Auburn Master Plan Appendix 1
[2] 2014 New Auburn Village Center Plan
[3] 2014 New Auburn Village Center Master Plan and Final meeting notes from NAVC Committee meeting (2/6/14)
[4] Executed contract with VHB and Coplon Associates (Dec. 2015) includes scope of work
[5] NAVC Final Plan Meeting # 1 Jan. 7, 2016 (Flyer, Presentation and meeting notes)
[6] NAVC Final Plan Meeting # 2 May 19, 2016 (Flyer, Presentation and meeting notes)
[7] NAVC Final Plan Meeting # 3 October 26, 2016 (Flyer, Presentation and meeting notes)
[8] Northern Border Regional Commission Grant Application July 2016
[9] Phase 1 Preliminary Construction Plan- Sept. 2016
[10] Transportation Alternatives Grant Application- Submitted August 2016. Pending notification January 2017
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