Sen. Brenner proposes legislation to save Union Wharf

AUGUSTA — On Monday, Sen. Stacy Brenner, D-Scarborough, introduced a bill that would save Union Wharf in Portland. LD 1480, “An Act to Protect Union Wharf and Sustain Maine’s Maritime

Industries,” would provide funds to ensure that Union Wharf remains a working wharf, protecting the maritime businesses that rely on its existence. LD 1480 was the subject of a public hearing before the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs.

“In late February 2021, in the middle of the pandemic, fishermen and seafood companies coastwise were shocked to learn that the Poole Family had decided to sell Union Wharf in Portland Harbor,” said Sen. Brenner. “The Pooles had owned and invested in Union Wharf for five generations over 163 years. As a result, Union Wharf was the best maintained and most desirable working wharf in the Harbor. To everyone’s horror, the 27 businesses on the Wharf, 75% of which are fishing, seafood and maritime businesses that support our seafood supply chain along our entire coast, were faced with the specter of losing the Wharf to one of the four speculative developers who ultimately submitted bids to buy the Wharf.”

This legislation would provide $4,000,000 to offset the loss in appraised value of Union Wharf, and ensure that Union Wharf remains protected in perpetuity.

Ultimately, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) purchased Union Wharf after nine months of negotiations, with the aim of protecting and preserving a large portion of Portland’s working waterfront. All other bidders for the wharf were real estate developers. Prior to purchase, GMRI reached out to more than 35 working-waterfront-friendly entities asking if they would be able to save the integrity of this wharf. Without another able buyer, GMRI stepped into discussions with the Poole Family, preventing Union Wharf from transforming into a hotel or expensive multi-unit housing. GMRI was not the highest bidder, but the Poole Family chose GMRI because of their commitment to protecting this working waterfront.

Since GMRI assumed ownership, operations on the wharf have continued without interruption. It provided fishing vessels with affordable berthing, replaced non-maritime tenants with maritime tenants as non-maritime leases expired, maintained the wharf and planned long-term improvements.

“Our vision is for Union Wharf to serve as a model for how coastal communities can invest in and protect waterfront access in the face of escalating real estate values,” said Don Perkins, President and CEO of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. “Our aspiration is to steward and manage Union Wharf as a working wharf in perpetuity as a model for both working wharf protection and working wharf adaptation to sea level rise and other challenges as they arise. Our commitment to protect Union Wharf, along with the City of Portland’s commitment of the Portland Fish Pier and GMRI’s protection of Wright’s Wharf, will ensure that the heart of Portland’s working waterfront works forever.”

Union Wharf in Portland is 5.8 acres of wharf and 1.2 acres of submerged lands rights. The wharf and its 10 buildings provide 1,500 linear feet of vessel berthing and 50,487 square feet of processing, warehouse and office space for 29 tenants, including 11 fishing vessels.

LD 1480 faces further action in committee.

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