Portland officials excited but cautious over Hearts of Pine’s waterfront stadium plan
From left, Hearts of Pine founder Gabe Hoffman-Johnson, Club President Kevin Schohl and Jonathan Culley, one of the founding partners, answer questions at Cassidy Point in Portland, where the club is hoping to build a new stadium that will serve as the home for the club's men's and women's teams. The club aims to begin construction in 2027 and open the stadium in early 2029. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer)
City officials reacted with a mixture of excitement and caution Tuesday regarding the Portland Hearts of Pine’s plans to build a $50 million soccer stadium off the western edge of Commercial Street.
Following the team’s announcement event at Cassidy Point, Portland’s elected officials said they’re looking forward to reviewing the project as it moves through the development process — attempting to temper the fervor around the team with the reality of a long, drawn-out public discussion.
Some said the Hearts of Pine have demonstrated what a partnership between a sports team and municipality should look like, and that the Cassidy Point project would be a community asset. Others said important questions still need to be answered about how the development could impact the working waterfront, area traffic and parking, and the city’s budget.
“So far, the team’s success has shown the power of sports to bring our community together, and I think that’s something worth recognizing,” said Councilor Pious Ali. “I see this proposal as an opportunity to begin a broader conversation about the future of Portland’s waterfront and how we create spaces that strengthen our economy, our community, and our quality of life.”
Some praised the Hearts of Pine leadership for a proposal that would turn an inaccessible industrial site along the harbor into a community asset, while also limiting any impact to Portland’s working waterfront.
A rendering of Cassidy Point in Portland, where Hearts of Pine soccer club is hoping to build a new stadium that will serve as the home for the club’s men’s and women’s teams. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer) Purchase this image
The project would result in the removal of a 45,000-ton coal pile, and retain a 600-foot pier used for commercial shipping. It also would add walking trails and other recreation uses that would be available year round in an area that has never had them.
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“I’m excited for the possibilities we can imagine now for Cassidy Point,” said Councilor Ben Grant. “It’s a great opportunity for the city to activate more of the waterfront, move past the dispute with the coal pile and marry together traditional uses with a team that has captivated so many soccer fans.”
If approved, the project will also take another 7 acres out of waterfront land that would likely not revert to marine uses.
Mayor Mark Dion said he recognizes the passion that has surrounded the team, which was evident during Tuesday’s announcement. But he said the news also triggers questions and his priority is to assess the potential impacts to the city’s waterfront.
“The idea that the Hearts of Pine can’t continue in their current stadium, it makes the need reasonable, but I have to step back from that and say what’s the consequence to the working waterfront,” he said.
Dion said past political debates in Portland have centered on whether the waterfront would become “a hotel-condo harbor” or if it would preserve its legacy industries and expand upon them. He said he’s tried to push for expanding marine activities.
Dion said he has no doubt that the team has and will continue to add to Portland’s economy and culture, “but, there’s always a trade-off.”
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Club owners said they want the development to be “additive and complimentary to the rest of the western waterfront.” They also pointed to the city’s comprehensive plan, which calls for expanding public waterfront access, promoting recreational activities, and supporting private, federal, and state investment in the western waterfront.
“The proposed project would transform this fenced-off industrial property into a community-centered destination that will improve public access to the waterfront and provide new spaces for residents of all ages to enjoy,” the team’s news release said Tuesday.
A jet passes over Cassidy Point in Portland, where Hearts of Pine soccer club is hoping to build a new stadium that will serve as the home for the club’s men’s and women’s teams. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer) Purchase this image
The club owners will need to seek a zoning change for the land in question, which will trigger a public process at the planning board. They also will need a state environmental permit, and a traffic movement permit.
Jonathan Culley, a founding partner of the Hearts of Pine, said the team plans to hold several more public meetings than what will be legally required during the estimated 9-month approval process.
“We will approach the process with humility and an understanding that the bar is high, as it should be for new development projects in Portland,” he said. “The onus will be on us to demonstrate that the project is good for Portland.”
The release said the $50 million price tag for the project will be “predominantly privately-funded.” Culley said Tuesday that they plan to conduct conversations with the city regarding public infrastructure.
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When asked to expand on what improvements they might be looking for the city to assist with, he said it’s still early in the process, but that sidewalks and pedestrian infrastructure will be needed and they will be looking for local, state and federal help.
A rendering of the proposed new Hearts of Pine stadium at Cassidy Point in Portland. (Courtesy of SMRT Architects & Engineers)
As for parking, they will look to partner with nearby landowners and garages while “leaning heavily” into strategies to promote walking, biking and using public transit to get to matches.
City spokesperson Jessica Grondin said there has not yet been formal talks regarding city support, but said “we are thankful for the Hearts continued investment in the city.”
“We look forward to officially reviewing their project plans at the appropriate time to ensure that it’s a good fit for the city as well as the western waterfront given how important the working waterfront is to the city,” she said.
Last year, following continued environmental concerns related to the coal pile site, the City Council passed an ordinance requiring Sprague Energy to cover it by 2027 and to remove it by 2030.
According to a news release from the team, the change caused Sprague to “evaluate what comes next for one of Portland’s most visible sites.” Culley said the team looked at 14 site options, including in other Greater Portland cities, but ultimately chose Cassidy Point after “complex negotiations” with Sprague.
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Attempts to reach Sprague Energy for comment were not successful Tuesday.
On Tuesday morning, attendees at the Cassidy Point event sat about 50 feet from the coal pile, drinking cans of sparkling water while music played over speakers. The Clam bar — Commercial Street neighbors — provided seafood. Every few minutes, planes flying into the Portland Jetport interrupted speakers.
Councilor Anna Bullett said Tuesday that she’s “thrilled at long last we are saying goodbye to the coal pile.” But, beyond that, said the Hearts of Pine’s current home at Fitzpatrick Stadium has not been large enough to meet the overwhelming demand for tickets.
“I applaud Hearts’ leaders for staying in Portland and I look forward to partnering with the team to ensure our multifaceted waterfront continues to meet community needs, from fishing to tourism and everything in between,” she said.
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Andrew Rice is a staff writer at the Press Herald covering the city of Portland. He's been working in journalism since 2012, joining the Sun Journal in 2017, then the Press Herald in 2026. He lives in. More by Andrew Rice
