The Westbrook Town Council postponed a final vote on the Millrace riverfront redevelopment Tuesday night, sending the 14-acre proposal back for a traffic and drainage review after nearly three hours of public comment.
The plan would convert the vacant lot between Water Street and the old textile warehouses into a mix of townhomes, ground-floor retail, and a public boardwalk along the river. Supporters argue it would finally put the derelict parcel back on the tax rolls; critics say the density is wrong for a block that already floods twice a year.
What the delay changes
Council members said the postponement is not a rejection. The developer has agreed to fund an independent study before the plan returns, likely in the spring.
- A full traffic count at the Water Street and Bridge Street intersection
- Updated floodplain modeling for the lower parcel
- A revised parking ratio for the retail units
“We are not going to rush something this permanent,” one council member said before the vote to table. Residents who spoke were split almost evenly, and several asked for a second public hearing once the study is complete.
Related: Local News · editorial on Westbrook's growth
Further reading: urban renewal explained
