BIDDEFORD --- Packard Development hosted a grand opening event for their Biddeford Crossing project on Wednesday, November 15. The catered event featured local and state dignitaries and entertainment.
After breaking ground in March 2005, Biddeford Crossing is now the largest retail center in Northern York County and features 29 units of retail stores and restaurants on a 70-acre parcel on Rte. 111.
"This is an exciting day for Biddeford," said Robert Dodge, the city's director of community and economic development. "Having a signature center such as this in our city finally allows us to begin recapturing local consumer dollars that have been leaving Biddeford."
Biddeford Crossing has been hailed by local and state officials as a significant boon to the region's economy. Beyond providing local shoppers with nationally known stores and restaurants, the city of Biddeford has realized significant benefits from the project, including an estimated $3 million of infrastructure upgrades and improvements all paid for by Packard Development, a division of New England Development.
- Extension of sewer and water lines that saved local taxpayers potential costs of mitigating residential groundwater problems in the area.
- Widening of Rte. 111, which is a principal thoroughfare and center of commercial activity.
- New streetlights, traffic signals, signage and storm drain systems.
According to Dodge, Biddeford Crossing is expected to be one of the city's top three taxpayers, providing an estimated $900,000 per year in new property tax revenues, not to mention the creation of between 700 and 800 new jobs for the region.
