Camden Tannery Park | Proposal
Client Challenge | Camden Tannery Park is a proposed industrial eco-village on the bank of the Megunticook River. The former site of the Apollo Tannery is currently a 3.5-acre empty lot. The Camden Farmer’s Market now uses a portion of the site. The Town of Camden acquired the property in 2003 and is presently remediating the site with the help of the EPA’s Brownfield Cleanup Grants. In 2014, a majority of Camden voters supported developing commercial and business uses at the property. The project consists of 19 workshops and a community barn made of locally sourced, sustainable materials using economic construction. The Park focuses on three primary ‘active’ uses, a Common Market, Light Industrial Incubator Spaces, and an Event Venue. The proposal preserves green space and enhances the riverwalk that borders the site.
Team Approach | Six fundamental principles guide the proposal. One, Building a Community with a public space for gatherings and events. Two, Economic Development by creating jobs, incubator space, and workshops. Three, Placemaking for people of all ages to play and enjoy in all seasons, including a public square for the Farmer’s Market and the community to use for outdoor concerts, ice skating, and other community gathers. Four, Sustainable Construction, including low impact site remediation and timber frame construction for the workshops and barn. Five, Vibrant Street Life with spaces for community gathering, natural landscape features, and safe streets for bikers and pedestrians. Six, Preserve Ecology by using low impact site remediation, restoring the riverbank, and enhancing the riverwalk.
Project Impact | If approved, the industrial eco-village will bring new jobs and economic activity that supports local makers, artists, and entrepreneurs to the town. The Camden Tannery Park will support the growth of a start-up and early-stage business ecosystem in Camden. Year-round programming of the Farmer’s Market, Winter Fairs, Fall Film Festival, and the Big Barn for conferences and events will provide community gatherings. The river and riverwalk will have a habitat restoration completed and enhanced for public access in addition to the overall site remendiation.
Location
Camden, ME
Client
Cranesport LLC
Year
2020- Present
Team
Principle
Maple Street Design Studio
Interfluve
Disciplines
Urban Design
Planning
More Info
CamdenTanneryPark.com
The proposed public plaza during the winter Fire and Ice Festival. Ice skaters enjoy a skating rink on the public plaza, vendors are selling goods, and people are enjoying the band playing on stage.
The proposed public plaza during the fall. People are seated in the plaza watching a movie screening at an outdoor film festival and enjoying the fall weather.
Existing conditions of the Tannery site.
The Megunticook River that borders the site.
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