The Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) voted 9-2 Monday to approve a plan that will allow the University of New England to transform a former convent on the Saco River into a student dormitory. The Biddeford convent was built in 1986 and features a 57-bed nursing home on a 21.4-acre […]
Author: Randy Seaver
Biddeford convent could become college dorms
The former St. Joseph’s Covent in Biddeford could soon become a new dormitory complex for students from the University of New England (UNE). UNE purchased the property earlier this year. They are scheduled to present their plan before the Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) on Monday. The former convent is […]
Celebrating Thanksgiving with gratitude
There are many resources available for those struggling with food insecurity By STATE SEN. HENRY INGWERSEN Special to the Gazette This week, I hope that the residents of Senate District 32 — whether in Dayton, Biddeford or Arundel, Hollis and Lyman, — can celebrate the holiday with their families, friends […]
Biddeford Adult-Ed program earns prestigious, national grant
By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer Biddeford Adult Education’s First Teachers Family Literacy Program has been selected as one of only three programs in the entire nation to receive a $10,000 grant through the newly launched Barbara Bush Fund for Family Literacy, an initiative of the George & Barbara Bush Foundation […]
Bounce Pickle + Play celebrates grand opening
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whatever happened to the former Smitty’s Cinema in Biddeford’s Five Points shopping center, wonder no more. The 140,000-square-foot space is now home to Bounce Pickle and Play – where Country Club meets Sports Bar — or so says their marketing […]
Platner brings his campaign to Biddeford
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor More than 1,000 people gathered Wednesday at Biddeford Middle School to see and hear U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner, and to learn more about his campaign to replace incumbent Republican Susan Collins. Platner, 40, took the stage wearing blue jeans and a flannel shirt, He was […]
OPINION | A change will do us good?
On Tuesday, I sat in my usual seat in the Biddeford City Council Chamber — back row and closest to the door. With my back against the wall, I can see and monitor almost everything happening in the room. That perch also provides a quick exit in the event that […]
Mayor-elect shares his hopes and goals for the city’s future
A little more than two weeks ago, Biddeford voters sent a clear message that they wanted change and more accountability from City Hall. In fact, nearly two thirds of the people who cast ballots in the Nov. 4 municipal election chose candidates other than incumbent Mayor Marty Grohman for the […]
OPINION: City Hall hours should serve the public, not employee preferences.
By TED COHEN, Special to the Gazette If the new Biddeford mayor really wants to serve the public, he needs to revamp City Hall’s hours, which are an insult to every city taxpayer. “In an effort to minimize public confusion, the council will consider streamlining business hours at City Hall,” […]
UNE students bring some holiday cheer downtown
A group of roughly 30 students from the University of New England gathered downtown Sunday to help string holiday lights along Main Street. This is not the first year that students have stepped forward to help with the annual holiday decorations. It is now part of an annual tradition that […]
