PortlandMarket

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community Heritage Partners Awarded Portland Public Market Project

Lancaster, PA - The architecture, planning, and preservation firm of Community Heritage Partners recently was awarded a contract to prepare a redevelopment plan for a new Portland Public Market in Portland, ME. The project is sponsored by the Portland Downtown District (PDD) and funded by the Maine Department of Agriculture following the closure of the previous Portland Public Market after years of struggle.

Serving as the prime contractor on the project, Community Heritage Partners assembled a team of experts in local markets and farm-to-consumer food distribution that includes "The Local Economy Center," a non-profit research group based at Franklin & Marshall College.

The redevelopment plan will assess the feasibility of incubating a new public market in downtown Portland. The project goal is to support the viability of Maine agriculture by maximizing opportunities for Maine growers and food producers in Maine's largest city. The consultants are working closely with Portland residents, local food advocates, and leaders in Maine's agricultural community, as well as several vendors of the former Portland Public Market to define the nature of a future public market, its operations and management structure, product mix, and its role in the community.

"After near-extinction in the U.S., public markets are now experiencing a revival," says Community Heritage Partners' president, Eugene Aleci. "Originally recreated in the 1980's as elements in urban revitalization and land use, they more recently have joined farmers markets as important urban sources for local or regionally-raised food products."

Founded in 1985 by Eugene Aleci, RA, AIA, AICP, Community Heritage Partners specializes in urban planning, architecture, preservation and policy consulting, and is the only area architectural firm whose principal has earned certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners and the American Planning Association. It is also the only firm in the region that combines urban and local food system planning. Recent local projects include the Stevens-Smith Historic Site, the Lancaster-York Heritage Region Action Plan, and the Columbia Market House Re-Activation Plan.

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	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Community Heritage Partners Awarded Portland Public Market Project Lancaster, PA - The architecture, planning, and preservation firm of Community Heritage Partners recently was awarded a contract to prepare a redevelopment plan for a new Portland Public Market in Portland, ME. The project is sponsored by the Portland Downtown District (PDD) and funded by the Maine Department of Agriculture following the closure of the previous Portland Public Market after years of struggle. Serving as the prime contractor on the project, Community Heritage Partners assembled a team of experts in local markets and farm-to-consumer food distribution that includes "The Local Economy Center," a non-profit research group based at Franklin & Marshall College. The redevelopment plan will assess the feasibility of incubating a new public market in downtown Portland. The project goal is to support the viability of Maine agriculture by maximizing opportunities for Maine growers and food producers in Maine's largest city. The consultants are working closely with Portland residents, local food advocates, and leaders in Maine's agricultural community, as well as several vendors of the former Portland Public Market to define the nature of a future public market, its operations and management structure, product mix, and its role in the community. "After near-extinction in the U.S., public markets are now experiencing a revival," says Community Heritage Partners' president, Eugene Aleci. "Originally recreated in the 1980's as elements in urban revitalization and land use, they more recently have joined farmers markets as important urban sources for local or regionally-raised food products." Founded in 1985 by Eugene Aleci, RA, AIA, AICP, Community Heritage Partners specializes in urban planning, architecture, preservation and policy consulting, and is the only area architectural firm whose principal has earned certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners and the American Planning Association. It is also the only firm in the region that combines urban and local food system planning. Recent local projects include the Stevens-Smith Historic Site, the Lancaster-York Heritage Region Action Plan, and the Columbia Market House Re-Activation Plan. # # #