WESTBROOK, Maine — The new Westbrook Common project is now officially underway as officials held a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday morning.
The city's economic development officials said the goal is to make the heart of downtown a place people want to be.
The project will replace old infrastructure before revamping the common area. The space will be used for musical performances and other activities.
"We continue to work with the building owners to fill the vacant spaces in order to get those open as a place that's destination-oriented. it's really important when it's destination-oriented that you drive people to your downtown and community and when that happens everyone wins," economic development director Daniel Stevenson said.
Stevenson added it's essential for communities to invest in themselves.
"The private sector invests in communities who invest in themselves it's very important that's why investing in Westbrook Common, in the River Walk, Saccarappa Park, drives private sector investors into our community, and what does it mean? it means you have a vibrant downtown, it means you have walkable communities it means you have businesses that are thriving," Stevenson said.
This project will be funded partially by private foundations, tax dollars and the American Rescue Plan Act.