WATERVILLE — The Head of the Falls Planning Committee held a public hearing during last week’s regular City Council meeting on a proposed housing and mixed‑use commercial development, a project that would bring dozens of new units to downtown Waterville.
The hearing, required by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development for eligibility under the federal Community Development Block Grant, or CDBG, program, focused on plans for 63 units on a 1.7‑acre parcel. Eighteen of the units would be workforce housing tied to 80 percent of area median income.
The proposed project represents a $32 million investment in downtown Waterville, and city officials are seeking $500,000 in CDBG funding to support it.
Redevelopment of the Head of Falls area is included in Waterville’s 2025 comprehensive plan and in the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.
In 2024, the Central Maine Growth Council commissioned an economic impact study that also examined potential federal funding opportunities for downtown investment.
The study estimated the development could generate 273 jobs and $9.88 million in household earnings, including 86 net new jobs in the downtown area. It also projected an additional $24.3 million in regional sales during the construction period.
If completed, the buildings could generate $16.5 million in regional sales through direct and induced economic activity, according to the study.
The project includes 15,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floors. Todd Alexander of Head of the Falls LLC said the plan calls for a “very aggressive public infrastructure plan,” including a pedestrian street through the site that he hopes could host public events such as art walks, food truck gatherings and farmers markets.
The challenge, he said, is the cost.
“It is very, very, very expensive,” Alexander said.Because no single grant source can cover the needed infrastructure work, developers are pursuing multiple smaller funding streams.
This specific application seeks funding for public infrastructure such as stormwater, sanitary, water, gas and electric improvements.
City officials said they intend for the work to align with planned upgrades on Appleton and Temple streets.
Although the primary purpose of the May 5 hearing was to gather public input, no residents spoke.
Housing continues to be a regional concern. In nearby Oakland, just before the Town Council meeting Wednesday night, residents of mobile home parks held a rally to launch a citizens initiative to cap mobile home lot rent increases.
Waterville approved a similar measure earlier this year.
