Development plans are in store for the cleared site of the former Mobil gas station in Kennebunk, but it seems to be serving the community well as open space.

The town now has to decide whether to approve a proposed mixed use retail/living space building on the site or keep it open. The $3.5 million proposal would bring additional retail space to the downtown and could provide a new home for the chamber of commerce.

The site is currently being used as a public ice skating rink, and this past tourist season, it was the location of a weekly market for artists and food vendors. Both have received strong reviews from visitors and natives alike, according to town officials, and it seems the closure of the gas station has presented the town with a golden opportunity. Unlike some other downtown areas, such as Biddeford or Sanford, Kennebunk does not have much open space or parks in the heart of the retail district.

This lot, right on Main Street, was vacated in 2009 by the gas station owners and purchased by the town in 2010. Not much was done with it during 2010, but now the town seems to have figured out that this space can be an asset. In the future, Kennebunk could follow Biddeford’s lead by hosting public concerts in the area and having high school students contribute to its beautification.

The town has been creative in using the lot this year, and business owners have recognized its value as a public space as well ”“ an entire list of their names was compiled by resident Paul Flaherty and presented to the board of selectmen earlier this month. Both Kennebunk Inn owner Brian O’Shea and Frame Works owner Bob Doyle voiced their support for the open space in interviews with the Journal Tribune.

The retail development proposal, from developer Terralynn Swift of Kennebunkport, certainly has merit, but we share the concerns of O’Shea, who recently said he fears a new retail center would not find tenants.

It would be a shame for the town to lose this open space in the downtown shopping district only to have it replaced by empty storefronts. As O’Shea noted, there are already several storefronts available, so it’s questionable as to why the town would see value in adding more retail space, particularly when the chance of those empty stores being filled in the current economy is low.

We hope the selectmen take this issue seriously and listen to the business people and other residents’ opinions on having the space open for the public. If a decision is made to build on the site, the option of having this spot for a skating rink, market or other creative community use will be gone for a good, long time.

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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via e-mail at kristenm@journaltribune.com.