Waterville’s Downtown Revitalization Picks up Steam
Colby College is in the midst of a major effort to revitalize Waterville’s historic urban core. Working with the city, private donors, and other public groups, the college has developed an impressive slate of projects aimed at boosting the local economy and creating links between the downtown and Colby’s campus and programs. The Portland Press Herald offers this update on its latest initiative: a collaboration with the community arts organization Waterville Creates! on a new arts and film center in the heart of downtown. The two organizations are leading a major fundraising effort for the new arts hub, which will center on the current Waterville Creates! building—The Center—at Main St. and Castonguay Square.
GO Logic is partnering with New York City-based Susan T. Rodriguez Architecture · Design to design the project, which will transform the existing building with gallery spaces, film screening rooms, and arts education facilities. The finished building will house a downtown branch of the Colby College Museum of Art, Railroad Square Cinema, Common Street Arts, a gathering place and café, and a new box office and main entrance shared with the historic Waterville Opera House.
Waterville is an important Maine city that, like other 19th century industrial centers, owes its location to a powerful river, the Kennebec. Since the late 20th century, much of Waterville’s industrial base has disappeared, but many other assets remain: the river, a handsome brick downtown, and civic, arts, and education communities with the vision and drive to spark a cultural and economic renaissance. We’re excited to be part of it.
