SACO – The city’s Planning Board will get an overview of The Waters at Saco Island, a proposed $40 million development, on Tuesday.

The Waters is a mixed-use project being proposed by Saulnier Development. The proposed development would bring 92 condominiums, 10,000 square feet of retail space, a small boutique hotel, a restaurant, two small marinas and public space to a currently undeveloped six-acre parcel on the east side of Saco Island, located in the Saco River on the southern edge of Saco’s downtown.

Bernie Saulnier of Saulnier Development has partnered with hotel developer Jim Brady, known for The Press Hotel in Portland, on the proposed hotel in the project, and last week announced a partnership with the owners of Nonesuch River Brewing in Scarborough for a restaurant.

The Planning Board is meeting on the proposed development site at 5 p.m. on Tuesday for a site walk, and then will go to City Hall for a sketch plan review.

Saco’s Director of Planning and Economic Development Denise Clavette spoke favorably in a written statement last week about the proposed restaurant.

“These folks already have a thriving success story under their belts, and in addition to the hotel that has already agreed to come to Saco Island, this catapults our city forward dramatically. This is a quantum leap,” she said.

Saulnier Development has also received input from the public in an online survey that was filled out by 123 people. The results of the survey were made public on Aug. 7. Of the people surveyed, 96 respondents, or 76 percent, answered they would like to see The Waters development go forward. Fourteen respondents, or about 11 percent, answered they did not want the project to go forward. Thirteen were undecided.

Fifty-three respondents added their own comments to the survey. Comments were overwhelmingly positive.

One respondent wrote that it was the best thing to happen to the Saco and Biddeford area in the past 50 years.

“Looking forward to enjoying what will be a wonderful addition to the Biddeford Saco area,” wrote another. “Perhaps it will give a reason for people to stop, shop, and dine instead of driving through both towns. Good Luck.’

Another respondent also wrote they thought the development would benefit both Biddeford and Saco, stating, “That land has been a disgusting mess for years. The river is under-utilized.”

Some had concerns regarding traffic and environmental impact.

“We need to preserve our waterways and the living organism, salmon etc. that cannot survive without a clean river,” wrote one respondent.

A few said they would rather see a park than development on the property, including one who wrote,” I worked at Saco Island for over 20 years. Driving on and off the Island has always been a problem. Why add to the problem? The other side off the Island should be turned into a park or just left green space. There is already enough development in that area. Who would want a condo next to a power plant? Please do not let this project go further.”

The Waters at Saco Island is also going before the Saco River Corridor Commission at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Dayton Municipal Building at 33 Clarks Mill Road.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.