By David Harry

Staff Writer

It is a mistake Robert Gaudreau blames on himself, but one that will have to be addressed by the Scarborough Planning Board when it meets Jan. 11.

Gaudreau, president of Portland-based Hardypond Construction, will present an amended site plan for Foundation Center, his planned renovation of the former Konica/Minolta photo processing plant on Route 1.

Gaudreau said he must change reconstruction plans for an access road to the site because he does not have right of way access to an unused intersection 60 feet north on Route 1. 

“This was definitely an oversight on our behalf,” Gaudreau said. He said he and engineers relied on a survey map for sewer lines instead of land ownership when they proposed shifting the intersection north to comply with state traffic regulations.

The amended plan calls for keeping the current intersection of Science Park Drive, a road also leading to offices for the Foundation for Blood Research, while eliminating an additional 40 feet of the traffic island to build a left turn lane on northbound Route 1.

If approved by the board, Gaudreau said the change could cost him an additional $30,000. 

Foundation Center plans were approved by the Planning Board in September, and the Town Council approved creating a tax increment finance zone in October to repay $325,000 of the cost of altering access to the Foundation Center.

Engineer Stephen Bushey of South Portland-based DeLuca Hoffman Associates, the firm helping Gaudreau with his conversion plans, said in a letter to the Planning Board that the changes may not require more money. But Gaudreau said he hopes councilors will have an open mind to a possible increase in the TIF reimbursement.

The additional space needed to accommodate traffic on Route 1 stems from Maine Department of Transportation rules regarding traffic flow. Foundation Center plans for the 58,000-square-foot complex of medical and businesses offices could lead to the creation of about 250 to 300 jobs, Gaudreau said. More vehicles coming and going from medical offices require at least 255 feet of turning space.

The plan passed by the Planning Board called for removing 10 feet of the traffic island and connecting Science Park Drive to the intersection to the north. 

That plan may ultimately prove feasible as Gaudreau said he still hopes to reach an agreement with officials from The Foundation for Blood Research and Health Care Realty LLC, owners of the area where Science Park Drive would be reconstructed.

Gaudreau converted the former Humpty Dumpty building north of the photo processing plant on Route 1 into the Nonesuch River Plaza. He said he remains optimistic about the Foundation Center.

“Hopefully, we can put an obsolete building back to use,” he said. 

Although he does not yet own the building, valued by the town at $2.3 million, Gaudreau said he expected to complete the purchase from GRI Scarborough LLC this week.

As soon as the sale is closed, work on the inside of the building could begin. Interested tenants could occupy space by mid July or early August, Gaudreau said.

The work will be completed in phases for both the site and interior, Gaudreau said. Outdoor work on the parking will begin in the spring.

Andrew Gilmore, a consultant hired by Gaudreau to help present his plans to local officials, said the renovation project could cost as much as $3.3 million. 

Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219