WESTBROOK – The city is moving forward in making improvements to Five Star Industrial Park to attract biotech companies and give it more of a business-park feel.

The city received money through a federal grant to help pay for a new turning lane into the park from Saco Street, sidewalks on Eisenhower Drive and an improved drainage system at Five Star Industrial Park. City Administrator Jerre Bryant said the improvements are meant to “move it in the direction of a technology-based business park.”

City officials are currently considering rezoning the park and surrounding land from industrial to light manufacturing, but the change is being opposed by Pike Industries, which would like to expand its nearby Spring Street quarry operations.

The rezoning effort, initiated by Mayor Bruce Chuluda, came after Pike first proposed its expansion plans, which the company would not be able to pursue if the zone is changed. The Planning Board is holding a public hearing on the issue on Oct. 20.

The City Council will likely make a decision on whether to rezone the land before the improvements are made. City Engineer Eric Dudley said the improvements to the park would be designed during the winter and constructed next year.

The Department of Commerce jointly awarded the $885,000 grant to Westbrook and Portland. Portland will use $660,000 for the construction of new infrastructure for its Rand Road Business Park. The remaining $225,000 will be used for the Five Star Industrial Park work.

The improvements will cost another $550,000 more than the grant is providing. That money, Bryant said, will come from the city’s tax increment financing agreement with Idexx Laboratories, which is located in the park.

Idexx is a leading member of Westbrook Works, a group of businesses and residents that has supported rezoning the park and opposed Pike’s proposed expa