MEREDA Matters

What does AI actually mean for the people who build, design, and invest in the places we live and work — and what's hype versus reality? In this episode, we sit down with Steve Weikal, industry chair of MIT's Real Estate Transformation Lab and managing partner of the MET Fund, alongside Maine-based architect and Woodhull founding partner Caleb Johnson, for a wide-ranging conversation that's equal parts big-picture thinking and boots-on-the-ground practicality. From the surprising staying power of century-old mill buildings to the looming question of what happens to today's data centers when the tech moves on, the conversation challenges some of the most fashionable assumptions in real estate right now. Steve and Caleb dig into how AI is reshaping the office market and why placemaking matters more than ever in a work-from-anywhere world. Whether you're a developer, architect, investor, or just someone trying to understand where all of this is heading, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about the built world around you.

https://legislature.maine.gov/committee/#Committees/HED

Maine is in the midst of a housing affordability crisis, but the issue is far more complex than rising prices. In this episode of MEREDA Matters, Dr. Chris Herbert of Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies and Elizabeth Frazier, Partner at Pierce Atwood sit down with MEREDA President, Shannon Richards to unpack why the system is strained, where the bottlenecks really sit, and what it will take to build our way to something more sustainable. From the cost pressures baked into construction and land markets to the promise (and limitations) of zoning reform, small-scale infill, ADUs, and new industrialized building technologies, this discussion connects national research to Maine’s on-the-ground reality. The takeaway? There is no single fix, but there is a path forward. If you care about the future of Maine’s communities, workforce, and neighborhoods, this is a conversation worth leaning into.

Corinne Watson, Co-Founder of Tiny Homes of Maine, and Kevin Hancock, Managing Owner of Hancock Lumber, sit down with MEREDA Vice President Jenn Small for MEREDA Matters - the podcast that lets you listen in on conversations with the people driving responsible development in Maine. In this episode, Watson and Hancock talk about their partnership and plans for scaling Tiny Homes of Maine. Now located in Dyer Brook, Maine, Watson founded the company with her husband to support their belief that everyone deserves a home. After a fire burned down their facility in 2023, Hancock reached out to Watson to help. Aligned in what they cared about and their vision for scaling up the operation, the two forged a new partnership with their two businesses. Their conversation goes on to explore the process for buying a tiny home, and the two pieces of legislation – LD-1981 and LD-1530 – that Watson facilitated which helped open the floodgates for more tiny homes in Maine. The group also discusses commercial uses of tiny homes, how Tiny Homes of Maine are unique products – made in Maine with Maine materials – and how Watson developed a Lean Manufacturing Process to reduce the cost and production timeline. Listen to the episode to learn more!

Andrew Silsby, President and CEO of Kennebec Savings Bank, and Tim Soley, President and CEO of East Brown Cow, sit down for MEREDA Matters - the podcast that lets you listen in on conversations with the people driving responsible development in Maine. In this episode Silsby sits in the interviewer chair and asks Soley about his path to real estate development and his passion and drive for the work. Solely goes on to discuss why he likes working with community banks for financing projects because of their long-term focus, as well as how he builds and maintains relationships with banks. The conversation continues with an exploration of East Brown Cow’s Old Port Square Project and vision for community development in Portland, their commitment to sustainability and drive for preserving the historic character of the Old Port, as well as how Soley navigates the different economic cycles as a developer. Solely also shares some advice for up-and-coming developers and his view on making mistakes and being a contrarian. Listen to the episode to learn more!

Bob Montgomery-Rice, President and CEO of Bangor Savings Bank, and Matthew Lewis, Director of Four Directions Development Corporation, sit down with MEREDA President Shannon Richards for MEREDA Matters - the podcast that lets you listen in on conversations with the people driving responsible development in Maine. In this episode, Montgomery-Rice and Lewis share their insight on the development landscape in the Bangor area. Lewis, a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, provides an overview of his non-profit, which is a Community Development Corporation (CDC) and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), enabling them to provide capital and resources in areas that are difficult for banks to access. Lewis goes on to share how historically Tribal communities have faced barriers to accessing capital, and how Four Directions pioneered a program for home ownership in Tribal Nations. The group goes on to discuss the need for creativity and collaboration in finding solutions to difficult problems like the housing crisis. Montgomery-Rice highlights a success story in Bangor – the Cedar Falls Mobile Home Park – as an example of the opportunities for innovative solutions. The group also delves into the current legislative session; how their work helps provide people access to owning property, which is crucial for wealth-building; and how the Bangor area has development opportunities at a lower price-point than the Portland market. Listen to the episode to learn more!

Michael Barton, Managing Director of Real Estate Development at Reveler, and Jason Howe, Partner and chair of the Real Estate and Finance Practice Group at Preti Flaherty, sit down with MEREDA President Shannon Richards for MEREDA Matters - the podcast that lets you listen in on conversations with the people driving responsible development in Maine. In this episode, Barton and Howe share their insights on Portland’s ReCode. State Law requires that municipalities review and update their zoning on a regular basis and the goal of ReCode was to create a unified development code to serve the future of Portland. The group discusses what changes and opportunities resulted from this process. Describing how the ordinance went from 800 pages to about 300 pages, Barton and Howe talk about how the finished product is a functional roadmap that is much more streamlined. The group goes on to discuss their big takeaways from the new code, including the elimination of the single family zone, opportunities to develop off peninsula to take advantage of existing infrastructure such as transportation lines, and the increased building height limits. The conversation then turns to the housing crisis and how ReCode could help encourage more development. Listen to the episode to learn more!

Matt O’Malia, Co-Founder and CEO of TimberHP, and Ben Herzog, Wood Technologist at the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center, sit down with MEREDA President Shannon Richards for MEREDA Matters - the podcast that lets you listen in on conversations with people driving responsible development in Maine. In this episode, O’Malia, who is a licensed architect and manufactures wood-based insulation in Maine, and Herzog, who leads Wood Composites research at UMaine with the world’s largest 3D printer, talk about innovation in Maine. O’Malia shares his path from architect to entrepreneur, and discusses what is behind his drive for sustainable innovation. The group goes on to discuss solving problems, getting new products to the marketplace, and collaborating with both the public and private sectors for funding. O’Malia describes how he was able to set up manufacturing in a retired mill in Madison, and the value of using the existing infrastructure and human capital to launch TimberHP. The group also delves into the process behind TimberHP: using the waste product from lumber production - the wood residuals - and converting it into sustainable building products. Herzog also discusses the 3D printer at UMaine, which prints with wood residuals and was able to print an entire house – the BioHome3D, a structure that is completely recyclable. The group then focuses the conversation on the housing crisis and how innovation will be essential to solving the complex issue. What do O’Malia and Herzog see as the future of construction? Listen to the episode to find out!

Elizabeth (Beth) Frazier, Partner at Pierce Atwood, and Jason Howe, Partner and chair of the Real Estate and Finance Practice Group at Preti Flaherty, sit down with MEREDA President Shannon Richards for MEREDA Matters - the podcast that lets you listen in on conversations with people driving responsible development in Maine. In this episode, Frazier and Howe provide a legislative update, setting the stage for what is going on in Augusta during the 132nd Legislature. The group focuses their discussion on the three bills that MEREDA has put forth this session including, LD 435, LD1396, and the yet to be printed “WIN” Act. Delving into LD 435, an expansion of the historic tax credit, the group discusses how this piece of legislation pays for itself and acts as an affordable housing booster while also contributing to the state’s climate resilience. LD 1396 is an act that amends Maine’s subdivision standards in two ways. The group discusses the goal for this bill: encouraging small scale infill development in rural areas and promoting the creation of housing units in existing structures such as mills throughout the state. Frazier, Howe, and Richards then go on to explore the upcoming bill known as the “WIN” Act or the “Workforce Infill Neighborhoods” Act. Ultimately, this is a bill that will provide density bonuses to build more workforce housing. The group discusses the need for more regular housing for regular people in Maine. The hope is that this bill will be a “win-win” by incentivizing developers to build and requiring landlords to rent to the “missing middle” of the housing market. What are Frazier and Howe hopeful for in the coming legislation? Listen to the episode to find out!

Ryan Kanteres of Simons Architects, Paul Becker of Thornton Tomasetti, and Matt Tonello of Consigli Construction sit down with MEREDA President Shannon Richards for MEREDA Matters - the podcast that lets you listen in on conversations with people driving responsible development in Maine. The group discusses mass timber - an engineered product that can perform like steel beams. Kanteres, Becker, and Tonello are all experienced in working with and advocating for the product. They talk about why it is important, its history of use in Europe and the Northwestern United States, and where there are opportunities in Maine to implement this sustainable building material. The discussion delves into how developers and builders can make mass timber cost effective for their projects, and outlines the learning curve for using it efficiently. The group also talks about the environmental impact of mass timber, namely its low carbon footprint and carbon sequestering properties. The discussion goes on to examine how Maine’s working forests could be repurposed for mass timber production and the need for local manufacturing to help streamline the supply chain. If Ryan, Paul, and Matt could change one thing in the world, what would it be? Listen to the episode to find out!

Greg Payne, Senior Advisor on Housing Policy at The Governor’s Office of Policy, Innovation and the Future, sits down with MEREDA President Shannon Richards for the fifth episode in the second season of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that lets you listen in on conversations with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Payne, whose work is focused on addressing the housing crisis and homelessness, shares a bit about his background, including how a volunteer experience in middle school made an impression on him and was the beginning of his career path. He also shares some of his early experiences working as an attorney before moving to Maine where he then worked at Avesta Housing as well as the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition before joining the Governor’s Office. The conversation continues with a discussion of the Housing Production Needs Study that outlines the critical lack of housing in Maine and the projected number of units needed to keep pace with the future economy - 84,000 units by 2030. Payne goes on to discuss the Housing First effort to address chronic homelessness, an approach with a successful track record across the nation. Currently Maine has 85 Housing First units, with Governor Mills allocating funds to scale up the effort to 500 units on July first. The conversation also includes a discussion on the influence of the election on housing, the state working with municipalities to remove barriers to housing creation, the needs for an updated Historic Tax Credit cap, as well as the effect of building regulations, such as requirements for sprinklers and elevators. If Greg had the ability to change one thing to make a larger impact, what would it be? Listen to the episode to find out!

Josh Levy, Principal & Co-Founder of Waterstone Properties, sits down with MEREDA President Shannon Richards for the fourth episode in the second season of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Levy, who is behind the 100 acre Rock Row project in Westbrook, talks about growing up in Cape Cod and having an early passion for landscaping and obsession for retail development. He goes on to discuss the unique challenge and opportunity of developing Rock Row, a former quarry site, and his extensive planning process behind his vision for the site. As part of that process, Levy and his team went on a research and discovery tour of 27 cities, conducted community interviews to find out what people wanted, and built partnerships with 36 regional and local organizations. Richards and Levy go on to discuss the importance of mentors in his career and his passion for mentoring others. The conversation also includes an overview of the multi-phase project, which has a healthcare campus opening in January 2025 and will also include housing, retail, dining, entertainment, and outdoor recreation. Who does Josh love to nerd-out on? Listen to the episode to find out!

Jason Howe, an attorney at Preti Flaherty and Co-Chair of MEREDA’s Public Policy Committee, and Matt Pouliot, a realtor and developer at Pouliot Real Estate and Maine Senator, sit down with Elizabeth Frazier, an attorney and government relations’ advocate at Pierce Atwood, for the third episode in the second season of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. The group provides an exciting and informative discussion on some achievements in Augusta for real estate development laws. Pouliot, who served in Augusta for 12 years and was on the Joint Select Committee on Housing, shares about LD337, a bill the Joint Select Committee recently passed that opens up more opportunities for manufactured housing, while still allowing for local control around design standards. The group goes on to discuss the need for creativity in housing creation and Howe provides an overview of another bill, LD1289, which facilitates the transfer of assets and will support more property development and affordable housing creation. Continuing the conversation on affordable housing, the group also looks at another bill, LD1294, which has a lot of city planners talking and will expand the use of commercial zones to also include housing. The group goes on to discuss the importance of elevators for housing creation and smart growth development, as well as a landmark bill that passed with bi-partisan support that will have a big impact on development in Maine: LD772, also known as the “Permitting Predictability Act.” What else is on the horizon for exciting new real estate development laws in Maine? Listen to the episode to find out!

Chantal Harris, Director of Monson Arts, and Stuart Kestenbaum, Senior Advisor at Monson Arts and the former Director of Haystack and previous Maine Poet Laureate, sit down with MEREDA President Shannon Richards for the second episode in Season 2 of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Harris and Kestenbaum, two prominent members of the nonprofit arts community in Maine, discuss the history of Monson, a community at the end of the Appalachian Trail near the Canadian border and the disruptive philanthropy that helped transform and revitalize the town. Their organization, Monson Arts, is an artist residency and workshop program that was founded as a way to spur economic development in the area. Kestenbaum shares how he got involved with the project after learning about the Libra Foundation buying land and buildings around Monson in a newspaper article. Harris goes on to describe the transformation of downtown Monson and their community and studio spaces that overlook Lake Hebron. The group then discusses the impact Monson Arts has had in the community with such contributions as a new medical clinic, a James Beard Award-Winning restaurant, as well as a dramatic increase in the value of single-family homes. Harris and Kestenbaum also share their plans and vision for the future, with hopes of engaging new partners to see the opportunities available in the area. What are Harris and Kestenbaum most proud of? Listen to the episode to find out!

From The Grant, Sean Ireland, a Principal at Windward Development, and Mandy Reynolds, a real estate development consultant, sit down with MEREDA President Shannon Richards for the first episode in Season 2 of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Ireland, who grew up in Phippsburg and Cumberland, talks about why he chose to work in Bath, the historic transformation happening there, and how his work focuses on small projects that can make a big difference. Reynolds, who grew up in Berwick, had never been to Bath until she started working with Ireland on development projects. The pair go on to discuss their work on the Grant Building project, which began during the pandemic when the community needed a safe space to gather with high-speed internet capabilities and has become a mixed-use building with their co-working space Union + Co, four residential units, and three additional commercial spaces. Ireland and Reynolds share how this project represents a culmination of their principles for good development and give insight into how they made the project come together through a historic tax credit and the grit to self-perform the majority of the work. The group also discusses Ireland and Reynolds’s next project, a redevelopment of the Stinson Seafood Cannery into the first purpose-built electric marina in the nation. Looking for inspiration for the future, the pair is taking a year-long working sabbatical to travel around the world to learn more about innovative community development projects and the Blue Economy. What has had the biggest influence on Sean and Mandy? Listen to the episode to find out!

Incoming President of MEREDA Shannon Richards sits with current MEREDA President Craig Young and immediate past President Josh Fifield for the eighteenth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Richards, who is the Founder of the design-build firm Hay Runner, shares the origin of her company, including the inspiration for its name. She goes on to talk about what it was like growing up in Castine, Maine and Jamestown, Rhode Island and why she feels that all of Maine is like an island community. Richards also discusses the importance of art in her life, how she does something creative everyday, and why she decided to build an art school with her partner, architect Caleb Johnson. The conversation also includes a discussion on Richards’s approach to running a successful business, which for her is about coming up with a plan and then showing up every single day. The group goes on to reflect on their experiences working together on MEREDA events and what Richards’s goals are for the next two years as President. Where is Shannon’s favorite place to vacation in Maine? Listen to the episode to find out!

Mayor of Portland Mark Dion sits down with MEREDA President Craig Young and MEREDA Board Member and MaineHousing’s Senior Director of Government Relations and Communications Erik Jorgensen, for the seventeenth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Dion, who grew up in Lewiston, discusses his life-long career in public service, which includes serving in the Portland Police Department for 20 years, then as Sheriff for 12 years, and as both a State Representative and Senator. Dion shares how Portland has changed since he first moved to town in 1972 to attend USM, remembering when Portland was just a “big fishing town” and sharing his experience as a beat cop in the Old Port. He goes on to discuss his decision to head to Augusta to serve in the House of Representatives and his work on the campaign to legalize medical marijuana in Maine. The conversation continues as Dion talks about his agenda and priorities for Portland and shares that he’s friends with people who have opposing views as him on the City Council. The group goes on to discuss the complex situation of the unhoused population in Portland, the dire need for affordable housing, and the problem with deciding policy by referendum. What is Mayor Dion’s favorite restaurant? Listen to the episode to find out!

The founders of GreenMars – Nate Green, Lead Developer, and Chris Marshall, Business Manager – sit down with MEREDA President Craig Young and MEREDA Board Member Josh Soley, for the sixteenth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Green and Marshall discuss how they search for development opportunities by reviewing town’s comprehensive plans and give an overview of one of their projects in Brunswick that is in a “designated growth zone.” The pair, who both grew up in York and met in preschool, talk about how their partnership started after their early career paths took them in different directions. The group discusses the learning curve for getting involved in development work, the biggest risks GreenMars has faced thus far, and the importance of relationship building. Green and Marshall go on to provide an overview of their other development projects including Yarmouth Commons in Yarmouth, Nasson in the Pines in Sanford, and the Time & Temperature Building in Portland. The Time Temperature Building will feature affordable micro-unit apartments and expansive amenities such as a co-working space and roof-top deck, a trend that is taking off in other urban areas in the country. Asked to give advice to other young developers, Green and Marshall cite persistence and a bias toward action as fundamental. What Portland restaurant is a go-to for Nate and Chris? Listen to the episode to find out!

Kevin Bunker, Principal of Developers Collaborative; Greg Payne, Senior Advisor on Housing Policy at the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future; and Danielle West, City Manager in Portland, sat down with MEREDA President Craig Young for a MEREDA Morning Menu event on February 1st entitled ‘Housing the Unhoused and Asylum Seekers.’ The thought-provoking discussion was recorded and rebroadcast for the fifteenth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. The aim of the group’s discussion was to enable a deeper understanding of the complexities around providing housing and social services for those who are unhoused and seeking asylum. Bunker begins by describing the new homeless shelter in Portland as well as the new asylum seeker shelter in Portland that his firm, Developers Collaborative, built with Cianbro. Payne goes on to describe the State’s focus on adding housing supply as well as addressing some of the zoning laws that constrict affordable housing development. He also discusses how the ‘Housing First’ approach, combined with on-site support services, is effective for getting people off the streets and is part of a long-term effort to scale housing opportunities statewide. West provides insight into how Portland has been addressing the issue, from addressing the encampments to providing beds for the large influx of asylum seekers. The group goes on to discuss how collaboration has been a key feature of the success stories, and that real estate can play a big role in solving the problem. Listen to the episode to learn more about this important issue!

Rebecca Hatfield, President & CEO of Avesta Housing, and Ed Gardner Broker/Owner of Gardner Real Estate Group, sit down with MEREDA President Craig Young and MEREDA Vice President Shannon Richards for the fourteenth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. The group delves into an important topic: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and discusses what it means to them personally and professionally. Hatfield talks about her goal to lead by example and her efforts to make DEI a fundamental part of the culture at Avesta by meeting people where they are at. She also shares some of the challenges in the affordable housing world, such as Avesta receiving 9,000 applications for 350 available apartments. Gardner discusses his work with the Equality Community Center (ECC) and plans to create 54 affordable housing units for the 55+ community in the same building as ECC, an $18 million project they hope to break ground on this summer. The group goes on to discuss the complexities around financing affordable housing and what diversity looks like in Maine, both in the Greater Portland region and in rural areas. Gardner talks about what it was like for him to come out at age 15 as well as how he bought his first building in Portland at the age of 17. Hatfield also shares some of her personal experiences with discrimination, including when she was called names on the playground at five years old, and how she received hate letters recently after Avesta provided housing for new immigrants. The group goes on to look at some recent positive changes in Maine and what resources exist for people who would like to learn more about DEI. Where is Rebecca Hatfield and Ed Gardner’s favorite place to grab a bite to eat? Listen to the episode to find out!

Jeanne Hulit, President and CEO of Maine Community Bank, and Steve deCastro, President and CEO of Gorham Savings Bank, sit down with MEREDA Board Member Josh Soley for the thirteenth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Hulit and deCastro share how the recent merger of Gorham Savings Bank and Maine Community Bank came together – an 18 month process that has resulted in a win-win for both banks. The group discusses some of the barriers to the merger process, the succession planning they have in place for bank leadership, and their focus on communication as a key strategy. Zooming in and sharing more details, Hulit and deCatstro review some of the opportunities for pricing synergies in the merger, such as how much the bank will need to spend on technology investments. The group goes on to talk about the difference between mutual savings banks and stock banks, as well as some of their predictions for the economy in 2024. Hulit and deCastro also share a bit about their backgrounds and the paths that led both of them to the role of CEO.

Tom Watson, Founder of Reveler Development and John Laliberte, CEO of Reveler Development, sit down with MEREDA President Craig Young for the twelfth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Watson shares how he got his start in real estate development with a four-unit building and talks about why, after earning degrees from Stanford and Boston University, he chose to be a sheet rocker in Boston. Watson goes on to discuss how buying The Metropolitan in downtown Portland in the late nineties was a turning point in his career, marking a shift into managing bigger buildings. Laliberte discusses his career trajectory as well, from professional hockey player to real estate, and talks about the Riverdam project, his first project with Watson. The group goes on to talk about the evolution of Biddeford, how close to 50% of people renting their units are from out of state, and how renters are hungry for amenities in their buildings. Watson and Laliberte also share what is happening in the first phase of their West Bayside development project, which includes 201 affordable housing units. What is Tom Watson’s favorite vacation spot? Listen to the episode to find out!

Maine Senator Matt Pouliot of Augusta and House Representative Traci Gere of Kennebunk sit down with MEREDA President Craig Young and Pierce Atwood attorney and government relations’ advocate Elizabeth Frazier for the eleventh episode of MEREDA Matters -the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Both Senator Pouliot and Representative Gere serve on the Joint Select Committee on Housing. They provide an overview of the history and focus of the committee and discuss Maine’s dire need for housing – the state needs some 80,000 new units to be built in the next seven to ten years. The group discusses some of the solutions the Joint Select Committee is working on to reduce the barriers to housing creation and democratize development, such as a government program to map out sewer and water lines in the state, investment in training programs for the trades, and a bill to establish a process to vest rights for land use permits. The conversation also includes an exploration of other creative ideas that will support the housing industry, including a program to identify vacant properties in the state and partnerships with the forest products industry to make innovative materials for building. What are Senator Pouliot and Representative Gere’s favorite restaurants? Listen to the episode to find out!

Ken Entenmann, Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Office and Chief Economist at NBT Bank, sits down with MEREDA President Craig Young and Senior Director of Affordable Housing at NBT Bank Kim Twitchell (formerly Maine Regional President of NBT Bank) for the tenth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. The conversation begins with Entenmann sharing his career path and why he loves economics. The group then delves into a discussion on the resiliency of the U.S. economy and the important factors impacting the global economy right now such as inflation and the lingering effects of the pandemic. Entenmann also includes his perspective on the effect of renewable energy for energy prices. The discussion continues as the group looks at how the office market has been faring, both nationally and in Southern Maine. Entenmann shares his thoughts on whether there is a housing bubble, if current interest rates are the new normals, and whether he sees a recession on the horizon. What books do Ken and Kim love to recommend? Listen to the episode to find out!

Will Savage, President of Acorn Engineering and Ryan Senatore, Principal of Ryan Senatore Architecture, sit down with MEREDA Vice President Shannon Richards and MEREDA President Craig Young for the ninth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Frequent collaborators, Savage and Senatore discuss some of the high-profile projects they are working on throughout the state, including Maine’s tallest building at 201 Federal Street. The group explores new design trends in housing such as smaller unit sizes, enticing common spaces, and desirable building amenities. Savage and Senatore also talk about their collaborative design process and share their approach to incorporating affordable housing units and energy efficiency into their buildings. The discussion on design continues as the group looks at how the recent rise of in-migration to Maine from larger cities has impacted housing and how the labor shortage has driven the use of different building materials. What are Will and Ryan’s favorite spots in Maine to take a vacation? Listen to the episode to find out!

Josh Miranda, Owner of Miranda Restaurant Group, sits down with MEREDA Board Member Josh Soley and MEREDA President Craig Young for the eighth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Miranda, a Portland-native, talks about how he got his start working in restaurants at age 14 and how he’s always been comfortable behind a bar. After a successful career opening up bars and restaurants for other hospitality groups in other states, Miranda shares how he ventured into the Portland scene with immersive concepts for his own businesses and how he is driven by his desire to create spaces where people can escape and have an experience. The group discusses the origin stories of Miranda’s three current businesses, the talented team who are a part of his vision, and his approach to providing an opportunity for his staff to have a true work/life balance. With a new restaurant and bar set to open in the iconic Bull Feeney space this summer and another bar in the works, Miranda discusses his goals for the future. Where is Josh Miranda’s favorite place to escape? Listen to the episode to find out!

Sonja Trauss, Executive Director of Yes in My Back Yard (YIMBY), sits down with MEREDA Vice President Shannon Richards and MEREDA President Craig Young for the seventh episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Trauss lives in the Bay Area in California and shares her journey from high school math teacher to housing activist. What started as Trauss ranting with friends about the lack of housing in San Francisco evolved into two advocacy organizations, YIMBY and YIMBY law, with 18 employees and 43 chapters in 19 states. Trauss sees herself as an activist for the end user of housing developments - the housing consumer, and discusses her organizations’ approach to promoting housing creation with advocacy, organizing, and focused legal action that requires cities to honor their own existing zoning laws rather than create subjective barriers for housing creation. The group also discusses ways for people to get started as a housing activist such as the very effective action of calling elected officials and showing up to local planning board meetings to make a public comment in favor of housing. What’s the best thing Sonja ate during her visit to Maine? Listen to the conversation to find out!

Deirdre Wadsworth, President of Hardypond Construction, sits down with MEREDA Vice President Shannon Richards and MEREDA President Craig Young for the sixth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Wadsworth discusses the type of projects Hardypond specializes in, and how they are often completing renovations on buildings that are occupied. As one of three women in Maine to own a commercial construction company, Wadsworth talks about her journey from sweeping floors at the jobsite as a kid and hating construction to earning an MBA and taking over her dad’s company in her thirties. Wadsworth goes on to share her management style and how hiring a business coach was one of the best things she did when she decided she wanted to run Hardypond. The group discusses the challenges in construction, such as material pricing and delays, and how this new norm requires a focus on scheduling and ordering materials upfront. The group also talks about how much has changed for women working in the industry over the last decade and why it’s so important to include women’s perspectives in development and construction. What is one of the best books Deirdre has read recently? Listen to the conversation to find out!

Brit Vitalius, President of Rental Housing Alliance (RHA) and Principal at Vitalius Real Estate Group, and Jessica James, Principal at Longfellow Communications, sit down with MEREDA Board Member Gary Vogel and MEREDA President Craig Young for the fifth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Vitalius and James discuss the RHA’s Rent Control Amendment, a grassroots effort to enact a critical change to Portland’s rent control that would allow landlords to reset the rent in vacant units to market rate. The pair discusses how the amendment, which is on the upcoming June 13th ballot, would have a significant positive impact on both existing tenants and rental housing providers. Vitalius shares the history of the Rent Control ordinance in Portland’s elections and outlines some of its unintended consequences. For example, since the ordinance passed in 2020, many tenants have seen more rent increases as landlords try to keep pace with the market. James discusses the issue of having voters trying to parse complex policy and the burden it places on rental housing providers. Vitalius explains how the Rent Control Amendment will maintain all the current protections for tenants and argues it is what’s best for housing development in Portland. The group discusses the problems with the referendum process in Portland and finishes the discussion by urging people to get out and vote on June 13th. Is it Brit or Jessica who enjoys a dirty vodka martini at the end of a busy day? Listen to the conversation to find out!

Erin Cooperrider, Principal at NewHeight Group, and Catherine Culley, Co-Founder and Partner at Redfern Properties, sit down with MEREDA Vice President Shannon Richards and MEREDA President Craig Young for the fourth episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. As two successful women in development who, together, have brought over 1,000 housing units to market, Cooperrider and Culley share how they started working in development and their experience working in a male-dominated field. Culley shares how she went from flipping her own house to working on some of the most substantial projects in the state of Maine, with 500 units currently under construction. For Cooperrider, after earning her degree in journalism she ended up in the development world after moving to Maine, eventually serving as the Development Director for Community Housing of Maine for 17 years. Both women talk about their ambition and what they feel women bring to the table in the development world. Discussing their joint venture, the transformation of Mercy Hospital’s State Street campus, Cooperrider and Culley share how the project came together and their take on the impact of the new Inclusionary Zoning mandate. Where is Catherine Culley and Erin Cooperrider’s favorite place to grab a bite to eat in Maine? Listen to the conversation to find out!

Kevin Bunker, Founder and Principal at Developers Collaborative, and Dan Brennan, Director at MaineHousing, sit down with MEREDA President Craig Young and Board Member Paul Peck for the third episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Brennan outlines the various financing structures available for affordable housing development through MaineHousing, such as the Low-Income Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, and discusses the dire need for housing at all levels in the state. Brennan also highlights the strong support affordable housing development is receiving from both the state and federal level and how we still need more investment from the private sector. Bunker shares his background and path to affordable housing development, and talks about some of his recent projects across the state such as The Motherhouse in Portland and how he is able to structure deals to get projects built. From the new Rural Affordable Housing Program to Inclusionary Zoning, the group tackles many of the key topics related to affordable housing, ending on some advice for someone hoping to enter the affordable housing world. What books are Kevin Bunker and Dan Brennan reading these days? Listen to the conversation to find out!

Scott Kelley, Senior Vice President of Development at Boyne Resorts, and Karl Strand, President and General Manager of Sugarloaf Mountain, join MEREDA President Craig Young and Board Member Paul Peck for the second episode of MEREDA Matters - the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine. Kelley discusses Boyne’s unique properties across the country and the history of the family-owned company. Kelley and Strand talk about the upcoming expansion of the West Mountain at Sugarloaf and the complicated permitting process involved in developing at elevation. The group also delves into the staffing and housing challenges at the resorts, and whether The Herbert Grand Hotel in Kingfield, the hotel where they currently house staff at Sugarloaf, is haunted. Where do Scott Kelley and Karl Strand like to go after an epic day of skiing? Listen to the conversation to find out!

For more information on our guest, Kevin French and Landry/French Construction visit https://landryfrenchconstruction.com