May 21, 2004
For more information, contact:
John Spritz, (207) 775-6062, spritz@maine.rr.com
GOVERNOR BALDACCI SPEAKS AT
GRAND OPENING OF CASCO TERRACE,
BUILDING CONSTRUCTED BY WRIGHT-RYAN
(PORTLAND) - Wright-Ryan Construction, Inc. has finished construction of Casco Terrace, the much-heralded apartment building at 41 State Street in Portland. The grand opening for Casco Terrace occurred Monday, May 17th, with a ceremony including Governor Baldacci, Congressman Tom Allen, Portland Mayor Nathan Smith and other dignitaries and officials.
"This has been a great project for us," noted Wright-Ryan's co-founder, John Ryan. "We put up a four-story apartment complex on top of an existing garage. There are 27 units, 13 of which are affordable to lower-income families. It's the kind of project we like to do, where we're not only putting up a great building, we're also helping to build a stronger community around us."
Casco Terrace is only the second apartment building to be built in downtown Portland since the late 1980's, and brings much-needed affordable housing to the city's population. According to a study by the Southern Maine Affordable Rental Housing Coalition, Maine ranks 50th nationwide in the production of new rental housing per capita.
The project was particularly challenging for Wright-Ryan since the building extended to the lot lines on three sides and, on the fourth, fronted on Portland's State Street, a heavily traveled thoroughfare. "We really had to plan this one carefully, and stay on top of it all the way through," noted Ryan. "Dealing with the neighbors, the city, and the fact that we had only a sidewalk's-width to work on, all of that made the process extremely complex. But when you see the finished project, it's all worth it."
Casco Terrace is one of several significant housing developments Wright-Ryan has constructed, including Portland's Island View Apartments. Other notable Portland-area projects built or renovated by Wright-Ryan are the Children's Museum of Maine, Preble Street Resource Center, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Portland, the Freeport High School Performing Arts Center, Topsham Public Library, Saco City Hall, multiple projects at the University of Southern Maine, including the Ice Arena, and the First Parish Church of Brunswick. The firm is also highly regarded for its work in luxury residences.
Casco Terrace was designed by David Lloyd of Archetype, P.A. of Portland, with Maine Workforce Housing, LLC, directed by Nathan Szanton and Robert C.S. Monks, serving as developers. While many aspects of the design are contemporary, the architect employed traditional materials such as brick and copper, in keeping with the character of the neighborhood.
For more information, contact Allison Stoddard (207-773-3625, astoddard@wright-ryan.com).
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