By Stephanie Grinnell
Staff Writer
    A proposed amendment to the Alfred-Andrews tax increment financing district (TIF) was approved May 6 by the Biddeford City Council.
    The amendment changes the name of the TIF to Route 111-Mill Redevelopment TIF to reflect the addition of the downtown mill district as part of the TIF. The amendment also removed the proposed business park, which was to be located on Andrews Road, as well as water and sewer lines planned to be extended in the area. Economic Development Director Bob Dodge said the water and sewer extension is no longer needed in the area because a former landfill is contained and does not  pose a hazard to private wells.
    The length of the TIF was extended from 12 years to 25 years to allow for additional funding to be available for public infrastructure such as a river walk, parking garage and street lights. None of the TIF money would be used for private development.
    Andrews Road resident Monique Lemeule said she is concerned the funding for the water and sewer extension is being removed because of the potential of future liability.
    “If something does happen there needs to be money in that fund,” she said. “I’m here simply because I read this and there needs to be something for us on Andrews Road.”
    Aside from Demeule, all other comments favored the amendment. North Dam Director of Marketing and Development David Versal spoke on behalf of the entire mill district.
    “TIFs are hardly new,” he said. “It’s an important tool, one that’s been used time and time and time again. The economics of mill redevelopment is that without a TIF, you won’t have it.”
    Island Point Chief Executive Officer Bob Martin concurred, though the Saco development will not be included in the TIF.
    “This creates a base of funding that you get to manage,” he said. “You have more control over the planning process.”
    Spencer Monks Development has an option to purchase the Riverdam Millyard and Managing Partner Sam Spencer said he has been researching how other cities have managed redevelopment.
    “Large scale redevelopment doesn’t happen overnight,” he said. “And none happens unless there is a public-private partnership. This is a first step.”
    Spencer said the creation of a historic mill district and the passage of LD 262, which will provide tax credits for historic rehabilitation of mill buildings, also have been steps in the direction toward revitalization in Biddeford.
    Resident Bonita Pothier agreed with Spencer about the need for a public-private partnership.
    “It’s not just the city, but the state that needed to step up,” she said.
    Pothier said Biddeford has one of the last remaining intact mill districts in the state that is primed for development.
    “We have the opportunity to support that,” she said. “One of the ways we can support a successful future is to support this TIF.”
    Lincoln Mill co-owner Greg Bennett said the mills represent the heritage of the city and urged the council to enter into the public-private partnership. He said the buildings would be worth more torn down and sold for parts, but said he wanted to preserve them instead.
    “It’s almost an impossible task to bring these buildings up to code,” Bennett said. “But I believe these buildings should be preserved.”
    The council unanimously approved the amendment, which will be sent to the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development for final approval.
    Contact Stephanie Grinnell by calling 282-4337 ext. 213 or email news@inthecourier.com.