Maine Mall Road Shopping Center Could Be Demolished for New Hotel

A shopping plaza near the Maine Mall in South Portland could look very different over the next few years.

According to WGME, plans are moving forward to convert the Mall Plaza on Maine Mall Road into two new hotels. The project is being proposed by local developer New Gen Hospitality and is estimated to cost about $13 million.

The development would require the demolition of the existing strip mall, which currently includes businesses such as Mister Bagel, Petco, and Hunt’s Photo and Video.

South Portland City Planning Director Milan Nevajda said each hotel is expected to take about 18 months to build. Once the first hotel is completed, the existing plaza would then be torn down to make room for the second phase of the project.

The city says it is working with affected businesses to help them relocate.

Nevajda said the project could help meet demand for hotel rooms in the area, noting that while South Portland already has a number of hotels, vacancy remains limited. He also said hotel development helps add to the city’s non-residential tax base, WGME reported.

Once the two new hotels are completed, there would be 17 hotels located within a short distance of the Maine Mall.

The South Portland Planning Board has approved the developer’s plans, though some concerns were raised during the review process. One planning board member questioned whether the area would lose too many businesses and leave hotel guests with fewer places to walk to or visit nearby.

A spokesperson for the developer said they have looked at different concepts that could include additional facilities, such as restaurants, that would help bring people into the area and create shared-use opportunities, the news station reported.

Nevajda also said the need for more housing in South Portland remains a priority. He noted that the mall area has been identified as one place where the city would like to see more housing development in the future.

The full hotel project is expected to take about three years to complete.

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Gallery Credit: Sarah Nickerson