SACO — The developer of Saco Island said a proposed pedestrian bridge over the Saco River is on hold until safety concerns on the island are addressed.

A pedestrian bridge crossing over the Saco River, connecting the twin cities’ mill districts, was scheduled to be constructed in the spring of 2014.

Most of the estimated $426,000 cost of construction, about 80 percent, will come from the Maine Department of Transportation. The remaining 20 percent will come from the two cities, approximately $44,000 from each.

In order to access the proposed pedestrian bridge on the Saco end, one would have to walk over private property on Saco Island.

Saco Island developer Kevin Mattson of Dirigo Capital Advisors said he was on board with the pedestrian bridge, seeing it as a positive idea. But after hearing from residents and tenants on Saco Island, he said he did not fully consider the potential safety issues and levels of pedestrian traffic through the island late at night.

“There are a lot of questions and concerns, and I don’t have good answers,” said Mattson.

Mattson said he has a responsibility to the tenants and condo owners on the island.

“We’ve been asked to give this for free. Until I see that addressed, I’m not moving forward,” said Mattson. “This is a good thing only if it works for everyone.”

Mattson he will still “leave the door open,” but for now, discussions are on hold.

Mayor Mark Johnston said he can understand Mattson’s concerns and believes that the city can sit down with him, discuss the matter and come up with a solution.

“I believe these items will be addressed,” said Johnston.

Saco Economic Development Director Peter Morelli said the proposed bridge would connect two great real estate projects and enhance property values on both sides of the river.

“If the developer doesn’t think it’s an asset, they don’t have to do it,” he said, but the proposed project could not go forward without developer cooperation.

Doug Sanford, developer of the Pepperell Mill Campus in Biddeford, said Mattson has brought up some very valid points.

Sanford said he agreed to an easement on his property a year and a half ago. He said when making improvements to his property, he has left a part of the parking lot unfinished until completion of the proposed bridge, so he wouldn’t have to redo work.

Sanford said the pedestrian bridge is part of a vision for the twin cities’ future that will attract more people into the two downtowns. Public and private partnerships can be challenging, said Sanford, but Mattson’s a “very reasonable individual.”

“I’m hoping we can get this fixed,” said Sanford. “We’ve put a lot of effort into this.”

Sanford said he had some public safety concerns on his end, but he’s had discussions with the City of Biddeford and police, and they’ve been addressed.

In other news regarding Saco Island, Dirigo Capital Advisors has sent a letter to the City of Saco, terminating a TIF agreement from 2007. Mattson said he has been unable to meet the terms of the agreement, as development on the island has not gone as originally planned. The TIF would have returned tax money to the developer.

Mattson said building No. 4, a large, empty building across the parking lot from the train station, was originally intended to be a mixed-use condominium and commercial development. He said the condominium market has since declined and he is looking at joint ventures to develop the building.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros contributed to this story. Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.