Innovation Center brings new tech to former papermill Conceptualizing future green innovation center development in Millinocket, Maine Project Summary Community: Millinocket, Maine Technical Assistance: Site Design Former Use: Paper Mill Future Use: Green Innovation Center The Great Northern Paper Mill in Millinocket, Maine first began operations in the early 1800s and once operated as the largest paper mill of its kind in the world. The company continued to produce paper products until 2008 when operations ceased, leaving significant infrastructure and paper mill structures adjacent to residential neighborhoods in town. Today, the site is being redeveloped as a green business incubator and business hub with the leadership of Our Katahdin, a volunteer driven non-profit organization working to promote community and economic development in the Katahdin region. The Community's Challenge There are several existing structures left on the 18-acre focus area from the previous paper mill, including the historic Administration Building, the Engineering and Research (E&R) building, and the garage. While other portions of the larger site have clear reuse opportunities as a data technology center and transportation and logistics hub, the remaining buildings have a less clear future. The collection of buildings sits at the entrance to the site. The buildings are closest to the Millinocket Stream and adjacent neighborhood, which increases the need for creative, sustainable, and thoughtful reuse planning. Our Katahdin envisioned the site to be home to a Green Research Business Campus that could compliment other reuses on the site but needed assistance in developing a feasible plan for the waterfront area. EPA's Land Revitalization Technical Assistance In 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Land Revitalization Program provided contractor technical assistance to complete a site reuse plan for the 18-acre waterfront section of the Great Northern Paper Mill site. The reuse vision for the site focuses on a diverse mix of uses that would support research and development for various technologies and industries, as well as providing supporting services and amenities. The reuse plan centers on an adaptive reuse strategy for the Administration and E&R buildings and blends together a phased development approach for the remainder of the site. Open space, sustainable stormwater management, and a trail system are envisioned as additional amenities for the site and surrounding neighborhood to enjoy. The site plan also includes a phasing plan for the development of the buildings, open space, and transportation assets on the site as funding becomes available. Final site plan rendering of the Innovation Cluster site. For more information, contact Jim Byrne, EPA Region 1 Brownfields Program, at bvrne.iames@epa.gov. &EPA United States Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization Environmental Protection Agency 560-F-22-025 ------- |