Creative ideas floated for Biddeford traffic woes

A small contingent of downtown Biddeford business owners and residents filed into Mayor Marty Grohman’s office Wednesday morning to “brainstorm” and share ideas about how to soften the impact of an ongoing road construction project that sometimes snarls traffic.

Grohman set up the meeting last week after his voicing his own concerns about the situation in a Facebook post that showed him driving through the city.

RELATED: Mayor hopes to tackle traffic frustration

Grohman started the meeting by pointing out the window of his second-floor office at City Hall, which overlooks the intersection of Adams and Main streets.

“There is literally no traffic right now,” Grohman said, pointing to an absence of traffic at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

Just a few moments later, northbound traffic was backed up with a stream of vehicles, some of which were blocking the intersection, not allowing traffic to turn right or left onto Main Street from Adams Street.

Grohman described the sewer upgrade as a “massive job” mandated by the state in order to prevent untreated sewage from flowing into the Saco River.

Those attending the meeting said the city needs to change its “messaging” about the project.

“it really doesn’t matter why it has to be done,” said Jon Phillips, co-owner of Time & Tide Coffee on Main Street. “People either already know why the project has to be done or they don’t care.”

Peter DiPietrantonio, the owner of 3D’s Variety on Main Street, agreed with Phillips. “There are a lot of angry drivers out there,” he said. “And they are just making it worse for everyone.”

Although the group shared their frustrations, most of the conversation centered upon ways to possibly reduce the traffic impacts and help struggling business owners.

“We have to find new and creative ways to bring people back into downtown,” said Carolyn Schmidtke of Better Biddeford, a downtown advocacy group. “Our downtown businesses are really hurting.”

Phillips said his revenues are down roughly 30 percent, while DiPietrantonio said his business is down 10-15 percent. Ian Kern, co-owner of Nibblesford on Washington Avenue, reported his business is down roughly 40 percent.

“People are avoiding downtown because they don’t want to get stuck in traffic,” said resident Barbara Pelletier. “But the reality is that even when traffic is bad, it takes only a couple of extra minutes to get from one place to the next.”

“We have to find new and creative ways
to bring people back into downtown.”

— Carolyn Schmidtke

The group discussed ideas such as a “downtown passport” program where downtown visitors could get a stamp in a booklet at different locations and then be entered for a raffle prize.

Other ideas suggested included holding additional downtown events and programs.

The group also discussed potential ideas aimed at easing traffic concerns, including allowing traffic to turn right on red at the intersection of Hill Street, possibly hiring traffic guards to direct traffic in high-volume areas, including near Mechanics Park and increasing signage about the project along the city’s outer perimeter near the entrance of the Turnpike.

Ted Sirois of Saco said he understands why motorists are frustrated. Sirois told the group that he has been avoiding downtown because of the project, saying he used to visit Dupuis Hardware on Elm Street but now uses the turnpike to go to Ace Hardware in Scarborough.

Public Work Director Jeff Demers said he does not understand that logic. “I’m not saying that things are easy, but I go to local merchants because I like the owners, I like the service and the products,” he said. “If it’s going to take me a few extra minutes, so what?”

Demers shared that the project was well coordinated in its planning stages and continues to be a collaborative project with city officials in Saco, the Maine Turnpike, the Maine Department of Transportation, fire and police services in both communities and the city’s engineering staff.

“Summer is coming,” said resident Amy Francouer. “But at what cost? We have worked so hard over the last few years to bring people into downtown. How do we get them to keep coming here?”

Phillips said he is hoping the community will rally as it did during the early weeks of the Covid pandemic. “We’re one community,” he said. “We can do this if we work together.”

Grohman said he is planning another public meeting next week.

“I think we heard some good stuff today, hopefully we can come up with some positive solutions,” the mayor said. “I’m pleased that we have people willing to help and I think we can be creative.

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