Back in 2005, when the blighted Uranus Corp. building was deeded over to the City of Biddeford, the goal was to get the property back on the tax rolls.

The building on the lot, which is situated at the corner of Main and Elm streets downtown, was rundown and neglected. Its owner sold it to the city as a way to get out of the hefty code enforcement fines and legal actions against him.

Though some initial interest was shown in the building, no developer was willing to take on the extensive renovation work it would have needed, so it was soon torn down to make way for a green space.

Some cheered this change as a great improvement, as it provides a much more welcoming view to those entering Biddeford along Route 1, while others still sought a commercial buyer to put it back on the tax rolls, as originally intended. With no takers, however, the city decided to beautify and name the space, dubbing it Le Parc Interim.

That “interim” period has been years now, and the city council is thinking of cutting its losses and simply deeming the lot an official park. They’ll address the issue next month. 

While we’d prefer to see the lot developed into a tax-paying business property, that possibility seems more and more unlikely as the years go by, and city officials say it’s not really feasible without bundling the lot with the purchase of the abutting buildings. The green space has been nicely beautified by the Heart of Biddeford, with small trees, paths and holiday lights, and it does indeed make for a welcoming entrance. As well, the city is seeking to improve the turning radius at that corner, which means the lot is slated to get smaller, making it even less attractive to a developer.

It’s hard to accept designating a new park when the Public Works Department is already relying on volunteers to maintain many of the smaller parks, but it seems this lot is not destined to be much of anything else and it’s already been “adopted” for upkeep by the McArthur Public Library staff.

According to City Manager John Bubier, areas designated as parks by the city generally remain parks ”“ and while he doesn’t believe anything would prohibit the council from later reversing their decision and selling the property to a commercial developer, he said it’s not something he’s seen done.

So if the city designates Le Parc Interim as an official city park, we can expect that that’s what it will be for the foreseeable future. As such, the city’s park rules would be enforced there, including prohibitions on liquor, litter, unleashed dogs and firearms. Also proposed for this particular park are bans on ball and Frisbee playing; in-line skates, roller skates and skateboards; and all vehicles, including bicycles. In this way, the park designation will help keep the area clean and safe.

The interesting twist is that being a park doesn’t mean the lot can’t be used by a business just the same. Bubier and Mayor Alan Casavant said they’ve had talks with the owners of the building next to Le Parc Interim about the possibility of putting in a restaurant that would have seasonal access to the park for outdoor dining tables. It’s an intriguing idea, one that would allow the city to keep the green space but also possibly have some income from the property.

Another issue that has arisen with the park is its name. If the council makes it a permanent park, then “Le Parc Interim” doesn’t work anymore and the space will need a permanent name. The McArthur Library volunteers have suggested “McArthur Park,” and while we like the suggestion, it might be worthwhile to allow input from residents on the new name. If the city decides that the lot is better as a green space entryway, let’s give it a name worthy of that welcome.

Though it seems a new business isn’t going to take root on this lot, a small park of any name is certainly preferable to the rundown old building that marred it before the city took action.

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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 email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.