MEREDA Matters

Deirdre Wadsworth, President of Hardypond Construction, sits down with MEREDA Vice President Shannon Richards and MEREDA President Craig Young for the sixth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Wadsworth discusses the type of projects Hardypond specializes in, and how they are often completing renovations on buildings that are occupied. As one of three women in Maine to own a commercial construction company, Wadsworth talks about her journey from sweeping floors at the jobsite as a kid and hating construction to earning an MBA and taking over her dad’s company in her thirties. Wadsworth goes on to share her management style and how hiring a business coach was one of the best things she did when she decided she wanted to run Hardypond. The group discusses the challenges in construction, such as material pricing and delays, and how this new norm requires a focus on scheduling and ordering materials upfront. The group also talks about how much has changed for women working in the industry over the last decade and why it’s so important to include women’s perspectives in development and construction. What is one of the best books Deirdre has read recently? Listen to the conversation to find out!

Brit Vitalius, President of Rental Housing Alliance (RHA) and Principal at Vitalius Real Estate Group, and Jessica James, Principal at Longfellow Communications, sit down with MEREDA Board Member Gary Vogel and MEREDA President Craig Young for the fifth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Vitalius and James discuss the RHA’s Rent Control Amendment, a grassroots effort to enact a critical change to Portland’s rent control that would allow landlords to reset the rent in vacant units to market rate. The pair discusses how the amendment, which is on the upcoming June 13th ballot, would have a significant positive impact on both existing tenants and rental housing providers. Vitalius shares the history of the Rent Control ordinance in Portland’s elections and outlines some of its unintended consequences. For example, since the ordinance passed in 2020, many tenants have seen more rent increases as landlords try to keep pace with the market. James discusses the issue of having voters trying to parse complex policy and the burden it places on rental housing providers. Vitalius explains how the Rent Control Amendment will maintain all the current protections for tenants and argues it is what’s best for housing development in Portland. The group discusses the problems with the referendum process in Portland and finishes the discussion by urging people to get out and vote on June 13th. Is it Brit or Jessica who enjoys a dirty vodka martini at the end of a busy day? Listen to the conversation to find out!

Erin Cooperrider, Principal at NewHeight Group, and Catherine Culley, Co-Founder and Partner at Redfern Properties, sit down with MEREDA Vice President Shannon Richards and MEREDA President Craig Young for the fourth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. As two successful women in development who, together, have brought over 1,000 housing units to market, Cooperrider and Culley share how they started working in development and their experience working in a male-dominated field. Culley shares how she went from flipping her own house to working on some of the most substantial projects in the state of Maine, with 500 units currently under construction. For Cooperrider, after earning her degree in journalism she ended up in the development world after moving to Maine, eventually serving as the Development Director for Community Housing of Maine for 17 years. Both women talk about their ambition and what they feel women bring to the table in the development world. Discussing their joint venture, the transformation of Mercy Hospital’s State Street campus, Cooperrider and Culley share how the project came together and their take on the impact of the new Inclusionary Zoning mandate. Where is Catherine Culley and Erin Cooperrider’s favorite place to grab a bite to eat in Maine? Listen to the conversation to find out!

Kevin Bunker, Founder and Principal at Developers Collaborative, and Dan Brennan, Director at MaineHousing, sit down with MEREDA President Craig Young and Board Member Paul Peck for the third episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Brennan outlines the various financing structures available for affordable housing development through MaineHousing, such as the Low-Income Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, and discusses the dire need for housing at all levels in the state. Brennan also highlights the strong support affordable housing development is receiving from both the state and federal level and how we still need more investment from the private sector. Bunker shares his background and path to affordable housing development, and talks about some of his recent projects across the state such as The Motherhouse in Portland and how he is able to structure deals to get projects built. From the new Rural Affordable Housing Program to Inclusionary Zoning, the group tackles many of the key topics related to affordable housing, ending on some advice for someone hoping to enter the affordable housing world. What books are Kevin Bunker and Dan Brennan reading these days? Listen to the conversation to find out!

Scott Kelley, Senior Vice President of Development at Boyne Resorts, and Karl Strand, President and General Manager of Sugarloaf Mountain, join MEREDA President Craig Young and Board Member Paul Peck for the second episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Kelley discusses Boyne’s unique properties across the country and the history of the family-owned company. Kelley and Strand talk about the upcoming expansion of the West Mountain at Sugarloaf and the complicated permitting process involved in developing at elevation. The group also delves into the staffing and housing challenges at the resorts, and whether The Herbert Grand Hotel in Kingfield, the hotel where they currently house staff at Sugarloaf, is haunted. Where do Scott Kelley and Karl Strand like to go after an epic day of skiing? Listen to the conversation to find out!

For more information on our guest, Kevin French and Landry/French Construction visit https://landryfrenchconstruction.com