Franklin Street (Portland)
Encyclopedia
Franklin Street is a four-lane street in Portland, Maine
. It began as Essex Street in the 18th century, but changed to Franklin Street by 1823. It is a major corridor for traffic from Interstate 295
to Portland's downtown, and to other neighborhoods located on the Portland peninsula.
in the late 1960s, after the demolition of Portland's Little Italy
, Bayside and other neighborhoods. Renamed Franklin Street Arterial, it was built to allow greater access by vehicles to Commercial Street
and the rest of downtown. Unfortunately, this configuration also hindered pedestrian traffic—both along its length and across it—to and from East Bayside, the Old Port
, Munjoy Hill
and other neighborhoods which border it. Franklin Towers
, at the corner of Cumberland Avenue, was built at this same time period.
In May 2007, 70 people gathered to discuss the impacts and potential of Franklin Street Arterial. The report of this meeting was brought to City officials, and helped to set the stage for the Franklin Street Corridor Study—Phase I. Plans have been discussed and presented to change the street, all three of which would add bike paths and sidewalks. In 2010, at the recommendation of the Franklin Street Corridor Study, the name was returned to Franklin Street, by Portland's City Council. New street signs indicating "Franklin Street" were hung in March 2011. Signage on nearby I-295, which The Maine Department of Transportation is responsible for, indicates "Franklin St," as well.
The Maine State Pier
, a deepwater
marine facility and outdoor music venue, is located at the intersection of Franklin Street and Commercial Street
on Portland's eastern waterfront.
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...
. It began as Essex Street in the 18th century, but changed to Franklin Street by 1823. It is a major corridor for traffic from Interstate 295
Interstate 295 (Maine)
Interstate 295 is a -long connector in the U.S. state of Maine from I-95 in Scarborough to I-95 in West Gardiner.-Route description:...
to Portland's downtown, and to other neighborhoods located on the Portland peninsula.
History
Franklin Street was reconstructed as a divided arterial roadwayArterial road
An arterial road, or arterial thoroughfare, is a high-capacity urban road. The primary function of an arterial road is to deliver traffic from collector roads to freeways, and between urban centres at the highest level of service possible. As such, many arteries are limited-access roads, or feature...
in the late 1960s, after the demolition of Portland's Little Italy
Little Italy
Little Italy is a general name for an ethnic enclave populated primarily by Italians or people of Italian ancestry, usually in an urban neighborhood.-Canada:*Little Italy, Edmonton, in Alberta*Little Italy, Montreal, in Quebec...
, Bayside and other neighborhoods. Renamed Franklin Street Arterial, it was built to allow greater access by vehicles to Commercial Street
Commercial Street (Portland, Maine)
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...
and the rest of downtown. Unfortunately, this configuration also hindered pedestrian traffic—both along its length and across it—to and from East Bayside, the Old Port
Old Port
The Old Port is a district of Portland, Maine, known for its cobblestone streets, 19th century brick buildings and fishing piers. The district is filled with boutiques, restaurants and bars...
, Munjoy Hill
Munjoy Hill
Munjoy Hill is an historically Irish-American neighborhood and prominent geographical feature of Portland, Maine. It is located east of downtown, and south of East Deering, the neighborhood it is connected to by Tukey's Bridge.-Geography:...
and other neighborhoods which border it. Franklin Towers
Franklin Towers
Franklin Towers is a 16-story high-rise building located in Portland, Maine, at the corner of Franklin Street and Cumberland Avenue. At , it is the tallest building in the state of Maine, making Maine 48th out of the 50 states in terms of tallest building per state...
, at the corner of Cumberland Avenue, was built at this same time period.
In May 2007, 70 people gathered to discuss the impacts and potential of Franklin Street Arterial. The report of this meeting was brought to City officials, and helped to set the stage for the Franklin Street Corridor Study—Phase I. Plans have been discussed and presented to change the street, all three of which would add bike paths and sidewalks. In 2010, at the recommendation of the Franklin Street Corridor Study, the name was returned to Franklin Street, by Portland's City Council. New street signs indicating "Franklin Street" were hung in March 2011. Signage on nearby I-295, which The Maine Department of Transportation is responsible for, indicates "Franklin St," as well.
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
Deepwater
Deepwater or Deep Water may refer to ocean water in the abyssal zone, hadal zone, or other deep ocean zones. Other meanings include:- Locations :* In the United States:** Deepwater, Missouri, a small town located in west-central Missouri...
marine facility and outdoor music venue, is located at the intersection of Franklin Street and Commercial Street
Commercial Street (Portland, Maine)
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...
on Portland's eastern waterfront.
External links
- Franklin Arterial University of Southern Maine
- Franklin Street Arterial Committee PortlandMaine.gov