Staff Writer
The Loring Development Authority Board of Trustees met on Wednesday, Jan. 9 to discuss among other issues, the feasibility of providing public transportation service to employees of the Loring Commerce Centre. Carl Flora, president and CEO of the Loring Development Authority, proposed the possibility of providing van service for employees of the Loring Commerce Centre as a way of offsetting rising fuel costs.
“A policy issue that is particularly significant for Loring Commerce Centre is the rising cost of gasoline and the lack of public transportation systems providing a reliable and inexpensive means to travel between work and home. Nearly everybody who works at Loring lives somewhere else and must travel between five and 35 miles to get to work each day. There have been some informal discussions about the need to set up and encourage the use of car pools and van pools as a way to reduce commuting costs. LDA staff are looking into the feasibility of setting up car or van pools and would like to solicit expressions of interest by any Loring employer or employee who would like to help develop alternatives to the standard commuting practices,” said Flora.
Trustees also considered the possibility of offering certain amenities at Loring, such as automotive services, restaurants, gas stations, bank branches, ATM machines and hair and beauty salons.
“In the early days, the LDA deliberately steered away from certain types of retail and service establishments on the theory that existing businesses in the local communities were already fragile because of Loring’s closure and opening the door to a competitor at Loring would simply result in two business failures. However, in looking at other employment centers such as Presque Isle or Caribou, it is clear that a variety of services and amenities are in close proximity to the places where people work. One of the perceived drawbacks of doing business at Loring is the lack of amenities found at other employment centers. I would like to have the Board give some thought to whether we are now at the point where some types of businesses, particularly those that employees take advantage of during, or just before or after the workday, should be encouraged at Loring,” said Flora.
Another topic of interest was the possibility of a “land speed racing” event at the Loring Commerce Centre next summer utilizing Loring’s runway. Land speed racing uses specialized vehicles, which are attempting to achieve the fastest possible speed. It is not timed, and vehicles accelerate over a relatively long period.
A group which hopes to use the facilities at Loring for an event in June, is looking into insurance issues and other considerations before making any decisions. If it is found the event is feasible, the LDA will work with event organizers to make facilities available.
“If successful, the event could lead to additional, regularly scheduled meets of land speed racing participants and enthusiasts,” said Flora.
Sitel Operating Corporation, which has been at the Loring Commerce Centre since 1997, is negotiating another five-year lease, with some changes. Sitel has been acquired by the ClientLogic division of the Onex Corporation, which has brought about these changes.
“As part of the transition, a company-wide review of facility needs was undertaken with the assistance of a site location consultant, Cresa Partners. As a result, Sitel determined that it did not need the entire space within Building 8700 and could abandon over 20,000 square feet of support space in the rear of the building, only a portion of which they were using for document and record storage,” said Flora.
“Sitel’s footprint in the building would be reduced to 25,000 square feet, the space that houses virtually all its operations, except storage which is being discontinued. This will free up a significant portion of the building for another use. It is excellent space with high ceiling clearances, multiple loading docks and would be suitable for a variety of commercial uses,” added Flora.
The new agreement also calls for several major capital replacements and repairs on the building, such as replacing the roof and installing a backup generator along with other routine maintenance needs.
The LDA continues to discuss a regional wastewater project in conjunction with the town of Limestone and recently met with officials of the Limestone Water and Sewer District. The engineering firm Wright and Pierce, which has provided consulting services offered several alternatives for a combined wastewater system for Loring and Limestone.
“The creation of an entirely new treatment authority with a governing board structured to represent the interests of both Limestone and Loring at first glance seemed preferable but it appears that utilizing the existing Limestone Water and Sewer District organization, with modifications to its charter, might get to the same place more quickly and with less expense. Either way it is envisioned that Limestone and Loring would retain their respective collection systems, which would be maintained and operated separately,” said Flora.
Flora also updated the board of trustees on the progress of Loring BioEnergy, LLC which has moved a step closer to completion according to Flora, with the signing of agreements setting the stage for the transfer of real estate at Loring as well as the use of the natural gas pipeline by Loring BioEnergy. The real estate closing is scheduled to occur by the end of June 2008. Loring BioEnergy is expected to turn its full attention to matters such as financing of the project over the next several months.
