BRUNSWICK

The public will get a chance to voice their opinions on Bowdoin College’s request to discontinue a portion of Pine Street as they embark on the second phase of the Whittier Athletic Complex improvement plan.

The Brunswick Town Council will hold a public hearing at their 7 p.m. meeting tonight.

At a Nov. 6 meeting, Bowdoin College Treasurer Matt Orlando said the $4.5 million, first phase of improvements to the complex was complete. Improvements included replacing the existing grass field with artificial turf and adding lights, seating and a new press box, along with an expansion of the current six-lane track to the eight lanes required to host championship track meets.

The second stage of the project includes a new, 9,000-square-foot support building housing locker rooms, bathrooms and a training room. Bowdoin is looking to construct that building on Pine Street, and the discontinuation of a portion of that street will allow more space and flexibility as the project progresses.

Neighbors on Bowker Street requested the building not be constructed on their side of the field. Wanting to honor that request, Orlando said the college has shifted its focus to build it on the Pine Street side of the field.

Bowdoin also agreed to maintain a pedestrian and bicycle path.

If the road is discontinued, an access road — paid for by the college — would be built linking Bath Road and Pine Street. The college’s Pine Street Apartments

— which houses around 48 students — has a limited number of years left, Orlando said, adding that site could eventually be developed as a parking lot.

Neighbors have voiced concern that the new road would increase traffic in the area. However, a Maine Traffic Resources study, paid for by the town, noted increased traffic in the neighborhood was unlikely.

Notice of the project was sent to property owners on Bowker, Pine, McLellan, Chamberlain and Hawthorne streets.

Councilor Steve Walker, who voted Nov. 6 against allowing the project to proceed to a public hearing, said at the time he was shocked at how the plan was presented to the council, noting there were no conceptual plans, planning board workshop or neighborhood involvement. He criticized the lack of preparedness, noting the planning board did not vet the plan before it came to the council.

The planning board will still need to review the plan and vote to approve it if it is to proceed.

Stage 2

• THE SECOND stage of the Whittier Athletic Complex project includes a new, 9,000-square-foot support building housing locker rooms, bathrooms and a training room.