MEREDA Matters

Matt O’Malia, Co-Founder and CEO of TimberHP, and Ben Herzog, Wood Technologist at the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center, sit down with MEREDA President Shannon Richards for MEREDA Matters - the podcast that lets you listen in on conversations with people driving responsible development in Maine. In this episode, O’Malia, who is a licensed architect and manufactures wood-based insulation in Maine, and Herzog, who leads Wood Composites research at UMaine with the world’s largest 3D printer, talk about innovation in Maine. O’Malia shares his path from architect to entrepreneur, and discusses what is behind his drive for sustainable innovation. The group goes on to discuss solving problems, getting new products to the marketplace, and collaborating with both the public and private sectors for funding. O’Malia describes how he was able to set up manufacturing in a retired mill in Madison, and the value of using the existing infrastructure and human capital to launch TimberHP. The group also delves into the process behind TimberHP: using the waste product from lumber production - the wood residuals - and converting it into sustainable building products. Herzog also discusses the 3D printer at UMaine, which prints with wood residuals and was able to print an entire house – the BioHome3D, a structure that is completely recyclable. The group then focuses the conversation on the housing crisis and how innovation will be essential to solving the complex issue. What do O’Malia and Herzog see as the future of construction? Listen to the episode to find out!

Elizabeth (Beth) Frazier, Partner at Pierce Atwood, and Jason Howe, Partner and chair of the Real Estate and Finance Practice Group at Preti Flaherty, sit down with MEREDA President Shannon Richards for MEREDA Matters - the podcast that lets you listen in on conversations with people driving responsible development in Maine. In this episode, Frazier and Howe provide a legislative update, setting the stage for what is going on in Augusta during the 132nd Legislature. The group focuses their discussion on the three bills that MEREDA has put forth this session including, LD 435, LD1396, and the yet to be printed “WIN” Act. Delving into LD 435, an expansion of the historic tax credit, the group discusses how this piece of legislation pays for itself and acts as an affordable housing booster while also contributing to the state’s climate resilience. LD 1396 is an act that amends Maine’s subdivision standards in two ways. The group discusses the goal for this bill: encouraging small scale infill development in rural areas and promoting the creation of housing units in existing structures such as mills throughout the state. Frazier, Howe, and Richards then go on to explore the upcoming bill known as the “WIN” Act or the “Workforce Infill Neighborhoods” Act. Ultimately, this is a bill that will provide density bonuses to build more workforce housing. The group discusses the need for more regular housing for regular people in Maine. The hope is that this bill will be a “win-win” by incentivizing developers to build and requiring landlords to rent to the “missing middle” of the housing market. What are Frazier and Howe hopeful for in the coming legislation? Listen to the episode to find out!

Ryan Kanteres of Simons Architects, Paul Becker of Thornton Tomasetti, and Matt Tonello of Consigli Construction sit down with MEREDA President Shannon Richards for MEREDA Matters - the podcast that lets you listen in on conversations with people driving responsible development in Maine. The group discusses mass timber - an engineered product that can perform like steel beams. Kanteres, Becker, and Tonello are all experienced in working with and advocating for the product. They talk about why it is important, its history of use in Europe and the Northwestern United States, and where there are opportunities in Maine to implement this sustainable building material. The discussion delves into how developers and builders can make mass timber cost effective for their projects, and outlines the learning curve for using it efficiently. The group also talks about the environmental impact of mass timber, namely its low carbon footprint and carbon sequestering properties. The discussion goes on to examine how Maine’s working forests could be repurposed for mass timber production and the need for local manufacturing to help streamline the supply chain. If Ryan, Paul, and Matt could change one thing in the world, what would it be? Listen to the episode to find out!

Greg Payne, Senior Advisor on Housing Policy at The Governor’s Office of Policy, Innovation and the Future, sits down with MEREDA President Shannon Richards for the fifth episode in the second season of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that lets you listen in on conversations with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Payne, whose work is focused on addressing the housing crisis and homelessness, shares a bit about his background, including how a volunteer experience in middle school made an impression on him and was the beginning of his career path. He also shares some of his early experiences working as an attorney before moving to Maine where he then worked at Avesta Housing as well as the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition before joining the Governor’s Office. The conversation continues with a discussion of the Housing Production Needs Study that outlines the critical lack of housing in Maine and the projected number of units needed to keep pace with the future economy - 84,000 units by 2030. Payne goes on to discuss the Housing First effort to address chronic homelessness, an approach with a successful track record across the nation. Currently Maine has 85 Housing First units, with Governor Mills allocating funds to scale up the effort to 500 units on July first. The conversation also includes a discussion on the influence of the election on housing, the state working with municipalities to remove barriers to housing creation, the needs for an updated Historic Tax Credit cap, as well as the effect of building regulations, such as requirements for sprinklers and elevators. If Greg had the ability to change one thing to make a larger impact, what would it be? Listen to the episode to find out!

Josh Levy, Principal & Co-Founder of Waterstone Properties, sits down with MEREDA President Shannon Richards for the fourth episode in the second season of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Levy, who is behind the 100 acre Rock Row project in Westbrook, talks about growing up in Cape Cod and having an early passion for landscaping and obsession for retail development. He goes on to discuss the unique challenge and opportunity of developing Rock Row, a former quarry site, and his extensive planning process behind his vision for the site. As part of that process, Levy and his team went on a research and discovery tour of 27 cities, conducted community interviews to find out what people wanted, and built partnerships with 36 regional and local organizations. Richards and Levy go on to discuss the importance of mentors in his career and his passion for mentoring others. The conversation also includes an overview of the multi-phase project, which has a healthcare campus opening in January 2025 and will also include housing, retail, dining, entertainment, and outdoor recreation. Who does Josh love to nerd-out on? Listen to the episode to find out!

Chantal Harris, Director of Monson Arts, and Stuart Kestenbaum, Senior Advisor at Monson Arts and the former Director of Haystack and previous Maine Poet Laureate, sit down with MEREDA President Shannon Richards for the second episode in Season 2 of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Harris and Kestenbaum, two prominent members of the nonprofit arts community in Maine, discuss the history of Monson, a community at the end of the Appalachian Trail near the Canadian border and the disruptive philanthropy that helped transform and revitalize the town. Their organization, Monson Arts, is an artist residency and workshop program that was founded as a way to spur economic development in the area. Kestenbaum shares how he got involved with the project after learning about the Libra Foundation buying land and buildings around Monson in a newspaper article. Harris goes on to describe the transformation of downtown Monson and their community and studio spaces that overlook Lake Hebron. The group then discusses the impact Monson Arts has had in the community with such contributions as a new medical clinic, a James Beard Award-Winning restaurant, as well as a dramatic increase in the value of single-family homes. Harris and Kestenbaum also share their plans and vision for the future, with hopes of engaging new partners to see the opportunities available in the area. What are Harris and Kestenbaum most proud of? Listen to the episode to find out!

Incoming President of MEREDA Shannon Richards sits with current MEREDA President Craig Young and immediate past President Josh Fifield for the eighteenth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Richards, who is the Founder of the design-build firm Hay Runner, shares the origin of her company, including the inspiration for its name. She goes on to talk about what it was like growing up in Castine, Maine and Jamestown, Rhode Island and why she feels that all of Maine is like an island community. Richards also discusses the importance of art in her life, how she does something creative everyday, and why she decided to build an art school with her partner, architect Caleb Johnson. The conversation also includes a discussion on Richards’s approach to running a successful business, which for her is about coming up with a plan and then showing up every single day. The group goes on to reflect on their experiences working together on MEREDA events and what Richards’s goals are for the next two years as President. Where is Shannon’s favorite place to vacation in Maine? Listen to the episode to find out!

Mayor of Portland Mark Dion sits down with MEREDA President Craig Young and MEREDA Board Member and MaineHousing’s Senior Director of Government Relations and Communications Erik Jorgensen, for the seventeenth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Dion, who grew up in Lewiston, discusses his life-long career in public service, which includes serving in the Portland Police Department for 20 years, then as Sheriff for 12 years, and as both a State Representative and Senator. Dion shares how Portland has changed since he first moved to town in 1972 to attend USM, remembering when Portland was just a “big fishing town” and sharing his experience as a beat cop in the Old Port. He goes on to discuss his decision to head to Augusta to serve in the House of Representatives and his work on the campaign to legalize medical marijuana in Maine. The conversation continues as Dion talks about his agenda and priorities for Portland and shares that he’s friends with people who have opposing views as him on the City Council. The group goes on to discuss the complex situation of the unhoused population in Portland, the dire need for affordable housing, and the problem with deciding policy by referendum. What is Mayor Dion’s favorite restaurant? Listen to the episode to find out!