PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Downtown Revitalization Committee is trying to make the most of the season’s warm weather events, while still working out issues with the permanent public market.
Summer temperatures and daylight may have peaked in Aroostook County, but in Presque Isle there are a number of outdoor events that city advocates are hoping will draw both residents and visitors.
The Downtown Revitalization Committee is considering a number of ideas for the Crown of Maine Balloon Festival later this month, the Take Flight event in September and the Aroostook County Brewfest in October.
There are still several thousand dollars in Presque Isle’s beautification budget that could be used for lighting or potted plants, said Luke Rossignol, a local attorney and committee member. Another option, in the short- and long-term, would be new flags throughout the downtown.
Flags “would look nice on Riverside,” to go with the weekly farmers market, park and outdoor concerts, said Cathy Beaulieu, owner of Wilder’s Jewelry Store.
The committee also discussed the possibility of new welcome signs that would complement the repaved Main Street.
That paving won’t be done until mid-October, but that and new welcome signs could be in time for fall events like the Brewfest, at Bigrock Mountain in Mar’s Hill, that could greet travelers from northern Aroostook, Quebec or New Brunswick. The committee is going to bring city council a proposal in September.
For the Take Flight fest at the Northern Maine Regional Airport, the revitalization committee is considering inviting farmers market vendors — so fresh produce and farm foods can be available along with the standard deep-fried options at an event that also includes a health fair hosted by the Aroostook Medical Center.
As part of TAMC’s health fair, the committee is mulling activities like a hoola hoop contest or bicycle rodeo, as way to get exercise for children and adults.
The committee also wants wants to have a commemoration at Take Flight for Vietnam War veterans, in tandem with 50th anniversary of the conflict, especially for those former military members never had an official homecoming. “Veterans have been super receptive” to the idea, said Jamie Guerrette, a TAMC community engagement specialist and member of the committee.
In an effort that will stretch beyond this fall, the revitalization committee is also trying to figure out the best days and schedule for the farmers market and sort out financing and construction for the public market building.
While attendance on Saturday at the mall has been relatively low, the Friday market, on Riverside Street, is “going well,” said Ken Arndt, Presque Isle’s director of planning and development. “The vendors are pretty happy.”
With a permanent building for the Riverside Public Market, the vendors could have additional flexibility and try out different days and times, and there could be another venue for a variety of community events. The trouble is, the building is projected to cost more than some hope.
The estimate from engineers is that the building, with electricity but no heat, would cost around $160,000.
“That should be a $60,000 building, tops,” said Scott Violett, an investment advisor with Barresi Financial and member of the revitalization committee.
The city does have $80,000 in grants for the public market, said Arndt. That’s about half the estimated cost, but the city council could still seek design and build bids from contractors, Arndt added.
