UNE gets green light from Biddeford for pier project, Decary Hall renovations
Biddeford Green‑Lights University of New England’s Saco River Pier Project
Biddeford’s City Council lifted a one‑year moratorium on University of New England (UNE) development, giving the university the green light to proceed with a permanent research pier at the Arthur P. Girard Marine Science Center and to renovate Decary Hall on its Biddeford campus. The following day, the city’s Planning Board approved a two‑year extension of the pier project permit, finalizing a decision that has been the focus of a year‑long debate among residents, university officials, and city officials.
The council vote, which took place on Tuesday, ended a moratorium that had halted all new UNE projects in the city. The moratorium remains in place for any future university proposals, pending review by the Institutional Zone Review Committee of the city’s ordinances. Meanwhile, the Planning Board’s Wednesday vote extended the pier’s permit, allowing construction to begin in the coming months.
UNE spokesperson Sarah Delage said the council and planning board actions marked a milestone in a “collaborative effort between the city and university.” The university’s goal, she explained, is to advance projects that “support education, research, economic vitality and the long‑term interests of the Biddeford community.” UNE President James Herbert added that the university is “proud to call Biddeford home and look forward to continuing our investment in this city.”
The pier, located at the Arthur P. Girard Marine Science Center, will provide students and faculty with year‑round access to research opportunities on the Saco River. The university also plans to renovate Decary Hall, a campus building that has been in need of modernization.
The proposal has drawn backlash from some residents and mooring holders who are concerned about the pier’s potential impacts on the river and the surrounding area. “Biddeford officials have taken residents’ concerns about institutional development along the Saco River seriously, including through the city’s prior court appeal and its recent testimony before the Saco River Corridor Commission,” Mayor Liam LaFountain said in a statement. “The council’s vote addresses these two previously approved projects, while the moratorium remains in place for future proposals.”
Mayor LaFountain also highlighted that the decision “shows that we can address concerns thoughtfully while still supporting projects that enhance learning, research, and local opportunity.”
The pier project had previously received a two‑year permit extension, and Biddeford had earlier withdrawn an appeal to Maine’s highest court over the pier’s approval. The city’s ongoing review process will keep the moratorium in effect for future UNE proposals until the Institutional Zone Review Committee completes its evaluation of city ordinances.
As the debate continues, the city’s decision moves the university closer to completing its long‑term goal of a permanent research pier, while maintaining a cautious approach to future institutional development in the Biddeford area.
