Commercial Street (Portland, Maine)
Encyclopedia
Commercial Street is a street downtown Portland, Maine
. In 2008, it was named one of the 10 best streets in the United States
by the American Planning Association
. It was built upon old piers in the 1850s. Fill was pushed into Casco Bay
to accommodate the growing railroad and warehousing needs of the port's working waterfront. In the 1970s and 1980s, much of the economic activity on the street was hurt and many of the properties on the street were sold off for non-marine development, including the building of condominium
s. In 1987, Portland voters, led by local fisherman based on Commercial Street, halted all non-marine development along the street and adjacent docks. Marine development around Commercial Street returned in the 1990s and 2000s alongside other economic development, including tourism-related industries.
The Maine State Pier
, a deepwater marine facility and outdoor music venue, is located at the intersection of Commercial Street and Franklin Street.
Widgery Wharf
and Union Wharf, located on the eastern end of Commercial Street, are two of the oldest standing structures in the city, having been completed in the late 1700s.
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
. In 2008, it was named one of the 10 best streets in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by the American Planning Association
American Planning Association
The American Planning Association is a professional organization representing the field of city and regional planning in the United States. The APA was formed in 1978 when two separate professional planning organizations, the American Institute of Planners and the American Society of Planning...
. It was built upon old piers in the 1850s. Fill was pushed into Casco Bay
Casco Bay
Casco Bay is an inlet of the Gulf of Maine on the southern coast of Maine, New England, United States. Its easternmost approach is Cape Small and its westernmost approach is Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth...
to accommodate the growing railroad and warehousing needs of the port's working waterfront. In the 1970s and 1980s, much of the economic activity on the street was hurt and many of the properties on the street were sold off for non-marine development, including the building of condominium
Condominium
A condominium, or condo, is the form of housing tenure and other real property where a specified part of a piece of real estate is individually owned while use of and access to common facilities in the piece such as hallways, heating system, elevators, exterior areas is executed under legal rights...
s. In 1987, Portland voters, led by local fisherman based on Commercial Street, halted all non-marine development along the street and adjacent docks. Marine development around Commercial Street returned in the 1990s and 2000s alongside other economic development, including tourism-related industries.
The Maine State Pier
Maine State Pier
The Maine State Pier is a municipal-owned deep water marine facility and music venue located at the intersection of Commercial Street and Franklin Street on the eastern waterfront in Portland, Maine.It was completed in 1924...
, a deepwater marine facility and outdoor music venue, is located at the intersection of Commercial Street and Franklin Street.
Widgery Wharf
Widgery Wharf
Widgery Wharf is an historic wharf in Portland, Maine. Built in in the late 1700s, the wharf is named for the Widgery family which controlled the local molasses trade at the time of completion. Members of the Widgery family include Congressman William Widgery...
and Union Wharf, located on the eastern end of Commercial Street, are two of the oldest standing structures in the city, having been completed in the late 1700s.