MEREDA Matters

The founders of GreenMars – Nate Green, Lead Developer, and Chris Marshall, Business Manager – sit down with MEREDA President Craig Young and MEREDA Board Member Josh Soley, for the sixteenth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast

that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Green and Marshall discuss how they search for development opportunities by reviewing town’s comprehensive plans and give an overview of one of their projects in Brunswick that is in a “designated growth zone.” The pair, who both grew up in York and met in preschool, talk about how their partnership started after their early career paths took them in different directions. The group discusses the learning curve for getting involved in development work, the biggest risks GreenMars has faced thus far, and the importance of relationship building. Green and Marshall go on to provide an overview of their other development projects including Yarmouth Commons in Yarmouth, Nasson in the Pines in Sanford, and the Time & Temperature Building in Portland. The Time Temperature Building will feature affordable micro-unit apartments and expansive amenities such as a co-working space and roof-top deck, a trend that is taking off in other urban areas in the country. Asked to give advice to other young developers, Green and Marshall cite persistence and a bias toward action as fundamental. What Portland restaurant is a go-to for Nate and Chris? Listen to the episode to find out!

Kevin Bunker, Principal of Developers Collaborative; Greg Payne, Senior Advisor on Housing Policy at the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future; and Danielle West, City Manager in Portland, sat down with MEREDA President Craig Young for a MEREDA Morning Menu event on February 1st entitled ‘Housing the Unhoused and Asylum Seekers.’ The thought-provoking discussion was recorded and rebroadcast for the fifteenth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. The aim of the group’s discussion was to enable a deeper understanding of the complexities around providing housing and social services for those who are unhoused and seeking asylum. Bunker begins by describing the new homeless shelter in Portland as well as the new asylum seeker shelter in Portland that his firm, Developers Collaborative, built with Cianbro. Payne goes on to describe the State’s focus on adding housing supply as well as addressing some of the zoning laws that constrict affordable housing development. He also discusses how the ‘Housing First’ approach, combined with on-site support services, is effective for getting people off the streets and is part of a long-term effort to scale housing opportunities statewide. West provides insight into how Portland has been addressing the issue, from addressing the encampments to providing beds for the large influx of asylum seekers. The group goes on to discuss how collaboration has been a key feature of the success stories, and that real estate can play a big role in solving the problem. Listen to the episode to learn more about this important issue!

Rebecca Hatfield, President & CEO of Avesta Housing, and Ed Gardner Broker/Owner of Gardner Real Estate Group, sit down with MEREDA President Craig Young and MEREDA Vice President Shannon Richards for the fourteenth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. The group delves into an important topic: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and discusses what it means to them personally and professionally. Hatfield talks about her goal to lead by example and her efforts to make DEI a fundamental part of the culture at Avesta by meeting people where they are at. She also shares some of the challenges in the affordable housing world, such as Avesta receiving 9,000 applications for 350 available apartments. Gardner discusses his work with the Equality Community Center (ECC) and plans to create 54 affordable housing units for the 55+ community in the same building as ECC, an $18 million project they hope to break ground on this summer. The group goes on to discuss the complexities around financing affordable housing and what diversity looks like in Maine, both in the Greater Portland region and in rural areas. Gardner talks about what it was like for him to come out at age 15 as well as how he bought his first building in Portland at the age of 17. Hatfield also shares some of her personal experiences with discrimination, including when she was called names on the playground at five years old, and how she received hate letters recently after Avesta provided housing for new immigrants. The group goes on to look at some recent positive changes in Maine and what resources exist for people who would like to learn more about DEI. Where is Rebecca Hatfield and Ed Gardner’s favorite place to grab a bite to eat? Listen to the episode to find out!

Jeanne Hulit, President and CEO of Maine Community Bank, and Steve deCastro, President and CEO of Gorham Savings Bank, sit down with MEREDA Board Member Josh Soley for the thirteenth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Hulit and deCastro share how the recent merger of Gorham Savings Bank and Maine Community Bank came together – an 18 month process that has resulted in a win-win for both banks. The group discusses some of the barriers to the merger process, the succession planning they have in place for bank leadership, and their focus on communication as a key strategy. Zooming in and sharing more details, Hulit and deCatstro review some of the opportunities for pricing synergies in the merger, such as how much the bank will need to spend on technology investments. The group goes on to talk about the difference between mutual savings banks and stock banks, as well as some of their predictions for the economy in 2024. Hulit and deCastro also share a bit about their backgrounds and the paths that led both of them to the role of CEO.

Tom Watson, Founder of Reveler Development and John Laliberte, CEO of Reveler Development, sit down with MEREDA President Craig Young for the twelfth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Watson shares how he got his start in real estate development with a four-unit building and talks about why, after earning degrees from Stanford and Boston University, he chose to be a sheet rocker in Boston. Watson goes on to discuss how buying The Metropolitan in downtown Portland in the late nineties was a turning point in his career, marking a shift into managing bigger buildings. Laliberte discusses his career trajectory as well, from professional hockey player to real estate, and talks about the Riverdam project, his first project with Watson. The group goes on to talk about the evolution of Biddeford, how close to 50% of people renting their units are from out of state, and how renters are hungry for amenities in their buildings. Watson and Laliberte also share what is happening in the first phase of their West Bayside development project, which includes 201 affordable housing units. What is Tom Watson’s favorite vacation spot? Listen to the episode to find out!

Maine Senator Matt Pouliot of Augusta and House Representative Traci Gere of Kennebunk sit down with MEREDA President Craig Young and Pierce Atwood attorney and government relations’ advocate Elizabeth Frazier for the eleventh episode of MEREDA Matters -the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Both Senator Pouliot and Representative Gere serve on the Joint Select Committee on Housing. They provide an overview of the history and focus of the committee and discuss Maine’s dire need for housing – the state needs some 80,000 new units to be built in the next seven to ten years. The group discusses some of the solutions the Joint Select Committee is working on to reduce the barriers to housing creation and democratize development, such as a government program to map out sewer and water lines in the state, investment in training programs for the trades, and a bill to establish a process to vest rights for land use permits. The conversation also includes an exploration of other creative ideas that will support the housing industry, including a program to identify vacant properties in the state and partnerships with the forest products industry to make innovative materials for building. What are Senator Pouliot and Representative Gere’s favorite restaurants? Listen to the episode to find out!

Ken Entenmann, Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Office and Chief Economist at NBT Bank, sits down with MEREDA President Craig Young and Senior Director of Affordable Housing at NBT Bank Kim Twitchell (formerly Maine Regional President of NBT Bank) for the tenth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. The conversation begins with Entenmann sharing his career path and why he loves economics. The group then delves into a discussion on the resiliency of the U.S. economy and the important factors impacting the global economy right now such as inflation and the lingering effects of the pandemic. Entenmann also includes his perspective on the effect of renewable energy for energy prices. The discussion continues as the group looks at how the office market has been faring, both nationally and in Southern Maine. Entenmann shares his thoughts on whether there is a housing bubble, if current interest rates are the new normals, and whether he sees a recession on the horizon. What books do Ken and Kim love to recommend? Listen to the episode to find out!

Will Savage, President of Acorn Engineering and Ryan Senatore, Principal of Ryan Senatore Architecture, sit down with MEREDA Vice President Shannon Richards and MEREDA President Craig Young for the ninth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Frequent collaborators, Savage and Senatore discuss some of the high-profile projects they are working on throughout the state, including Maine’s tallest building at 201 Federal Street. The group explores new design trends in housing such as smaller unit sizes, enticing common spaces, and desirable building amenities. Savage and Senatore also talk about their collaborative design process and share their approach to incorporating affordable housing units and energy efficiency into their buildings. The discussion on design continues as the group looks at how the recent rise of in-migration to Maine from larger cities has impacted housing and how the labor shortage has driven the use of different building materials. What are Will and Ryan’s favorite spots in Maine to take a vacation? Listen to the episode to find out!

Josh Miranda, Owner of Miranda Restaurant Group, sits down with MEREDA Board Member Josh Soley and MEREDA President Craig Young for the eighth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Miranda, a Portland-native, talks about how he got his start working in restaurants at age 14 and how he’s always been comfortable behind a bar. After a successful career opening up bars and restaurants for other hospitality groups in other states, Miranda shares how he ventured into the Portland scene with immersive concepts for his own businesses and how he is driven by his desire to create spaces where people can escape and have an experience. The group discusses the origin stories of Miranda’s three current businesses, the talented team who are a part of his vision, and his approach to providing an opportunity for his staff to have a true work/life balance. With a new restaurant and bar set to open in the iconic Bull Feeney space this summer and another bar in the works, Miranda discusses his goals for the future. Where is Josh Miranda’s favorite place to escape? Listen to the episode to find out!

Sonja Trauss, Executive Director of Yes in My Back Yard (YIMBY), sits down with MEREDA Vice President Shannon Richards and MEREDA President Craig Young for the seventh episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Trauss lives in the Bay Area in California and shares her journey from high school math teacher to housing activist. What started as Trauss ranting with friends about the lack of housing in San Francisco evolved into two advocacy organizations, YIMBY and YIMBY law, with 18 employees and 43 chapters in 19 states. Trauss sees herself as an activist for the end user of housing developments - the housing consumer, and discusses her organizations’ approach to promoting housing creation with advocacy, organizing, and focused legal action that requires cities to honor their own existing zoning laws rather than create subjective barriers for housing creation. The group also discusses ways for people to get started as a housing activist such as the very effective action of calling elected officials and showing up to local planning board meetings to make a public comment in favor of housing. What’s the best thing Sonja ate during her visit to Maine? Listen to the conversation to find out!