Thanks to all who attended the Neighborhood Forum, either in person or online. Use this link to view the video recording of the meeting. Meeting notes can be viewed here along the PowerPoint presentation.

——
Please join us from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on December 10th for an update on construction activities at the site of the future home of Northeastern University’s Portland Campus. Representatives from Northeastern University, Consigli and the project oversight team will provide a construction update including photos and answer questions. The meeting will be at the Washington Gardens Community Center, 66 Pembroke Street (on the corner of Churchill St. and Pembroke St.). We hope to see you there.

You can also access the meeting online via Teams. Please register prior to the start of the meeting using this link.

Click “Register” then follow the prompts and you will receive notice that your registration has been processed. To join the meeting at 5:00 p.m. on December 10th, look for the email from Northeastern University. Scroll down and click “Join Event”. Follow the prompts then click “Join Now”. Teams is a meeting platform similar to Zoom. Downloading Teams is also an option.

Northeastern University’s Portland Campus, home of the Roux Institute, has a new website  to share information and provide updates during the three-year construction process. The website you have been following, www.rouxcampusportland.org will be redirected to the new website at the end of November.

Sign up here  to receive construction progress updates, notices of upcoming Neighborhood Forums, FAQs, project personnel contact information and more.

Here is what’s happening on the site now:  

• Site preparation work including excavation, removal, and importation of soils

• Installation of new underground utilities

• Support of excavation work at the building core locations

• Preparatory activities for geothermal and deep foundations

Thanks to all who attended the Neighborhood Forum, either in person or online. Use this link to view the video recording of the meeting. Meeting notes can be viewed here along the PowerPoint presentation.

The Planning Board will hold a workshop on the proposed site plan for the Portland campus of the Roux Institute at Northeastern University on April 23 at its regularly scheduled meeting which begins at 4:30 p.m. This second workshop is expected to focus primarily though not exclusively on transportation issues, and is the first item on the agenda under New Business. You can review the agenda and zoom link here.

n lieu of a Neighborhood Forum, you are invited to an Open House from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. on April 1st at the Roux Institute at Northeastern University, 100 Fore Street in Portland. Now in its fourth year of operations and hopefully starting construction on its new campus this summer or fall, the Roux Institute would love to have you, our future neighbors, come meet students and faculty, explore the temporary campus, and learn about the latest developments in this laboratory of innovation – an opportunity engine for the people of Maine.

Please register in advance through this link. Parking is available on the street or in the public parking garage on Fore Street across from the Residence Inn by Marriott. The next Neighborhood Forum will be after the Site Plan review process is complete. We hope to see you on April 1st!

In lieu of a Neighborhood Forum, you are invited to an Open House from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. on April 1st at the Roux Institute at Northeastern University, 100 Fore Street in Portland. Now in its fourth year of operations and hopefully starting construction on its new campus this summer or fall, the Roux Institute would love to have you, our future neighbors, come meet students and faculty, explore the temporary campus, and learn about the latest developments in this laboratory of innovation – an opportunity engine for the people of Maine.

Please register in advance through this link. Parking is available on the street or in the public parking garage on Fore Street across from the Residence Inn by Marriott. The next Neighborhood Forum will be after the Site Plan review process is complete. We hope to see you on April 1st!

The last of the sorted masonry and concrete debris will be removed from the site starting on Monday, February 26th. Removal will require about 20 truck trips per day for most of the week. The material is currently stored behind the former B&M building, as illustrated in the photograph.

Procore

Thanks to all who attended the Planning Board Workshop. The presentation of plans for Phase 1 of the campus for the Roux Institute at Northeastern University can be viewed here. Follow this link to the Planning Board staff memorandum on the proposed development. The next meeting date has not yet been set but will be announced in advance on this website.

The Planning Board will hold a workshop on the proposed site plan for the Portland campus of the Roux Institute at Northeastern University on February 13 at its regularly scheduled meeting beginning at 4:30 p.m. You can access the meeting agenda and zoom link here.

Thanks to all who attended the Neighborhood Meeting, either in person or online. Use this link to view the video recording of the Neighborhood Meeting. Meeting notes can be viewed here along the PowerPoint presentation.

Please use this link to access the City’s website where you can view a video of the meeting and the presentation to the Historic Preservation Board on December 6th. Please forward to 2:12:27 for our presentation.

On December 6th, Portland’s Historic Preservation Board will hold a workshop at 5:00 p.m. on the proposed rehabilitation of the Bean Building and the historic interpretive elements proposed for the pier. Please use this link for directions on joining the hybrid meeting. Our item is last on the agenda.

Please join us for a neighborhood meeting to discuss the site plan application for Phase 1 of development of the campus for the Roux Institute at Northeastern University, located at 1 Bean Pot Circle.

The meeting is from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Washington Gardens Community Center, 66 Pembroke Street (on the corner of Churchill St. and Pembroke St.). You can also access the meeting via Zoom using this link.

We introduced our proposed site plan application at a Neighborhood Forum held on October 18, 2023. If you missed that meeting, a link to that recording is posted in Update #35. The December neighborhood meeting is part of the City’s regulatory review of our site plan application, which has now been submitted to the City for review. The site plan application can be found at the City’s Citizen Self Service Portal.

A video recording and meeting notes will be posted on this website the week following this meeting. Thank you in advance and we look forward to working with you through this next phase of our project.

Thanks to all who attended the Neighborhood Forum, either in person or online. Use this link to view the video recording of the Neighborhood Forum. Meeting notes can be viewed here along the PowerPoint presentation.

The date for the fourth Neighborhood Forum has been changed from October 4th to October 18th, to ensure that the site plan design components are fully ready and vetted to share with you, our future neighbors. The presentation on October 18th is to review plans for the near-term development of the Portland campus of Northeastern University, home of the Roux Institute. We will show plans and renderings of the campus including buildings, greenspace, pathways and viewpoints.

Transportation management will also be covered, along with an outline of the upcoming public process and opportunities for public input throughout the review process. These plans are being shared in advance of submittal of the site plan application to the City of Portland and we look forward to your thoughts and questions. The meeting on October 18th is from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at the Washington Gardens Community Center, 66 Pembroke Street (on the corner of Churchill St. and Pembroke St.). You can also access the meeting via Zoom using this link. A video recording and meeting notes will be posted on this website the week following the meeting. Thank you in advance and we look forward to working with you through this next phase of our project.

Please join us for the fourth Neighborhood Forum on October 4th to review plans for near-term development of the Portland campus of Northeastern University, home of the Roux Institute. The presentation will include plans and renderings of the campus including buildings, greenspace, pathways and viewpoints. Transportation management will also be covered, along with an outline of the upcoming public process and opportunities for public input throughout the review process. These plans are being shared in advance of submittal of the site plan application to the City of Portland and we look forward to your thoughts and questions.

The meeting is from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at the Washington Gardens Community Center, 66 Pembroke Street (on the corner of Churchill St. and Pembroke St.). You can also access the meeting via Zoom using this link. A video recording and meeting notes will be posted on this website the week following the meeting. Thank you in advance and we look forward to working with you through this next phase of our project.

Thanks to all who attended the Neighborhood Forum, either in person or online. Use this link to view the video recording of the Neighborhood Forum. Meeting notes can be viewed here. 

Our third Neighborhood Forum will be on June 29 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at the Washington Gardens Community Center, 66 Pembroke Street (on the corner of Churchill St. and Pembroke St.). This Forum will focus on demolition activities starting on June 5. We will cover site work, plans to monitor (for noise, dust, and vibration), reporting requirements, transportation and disposal and the overall schedule. Representatives of the construction manager, Consigli, will join the Northeastern University and IDEALS development team to outline the demolition plan and respond to questions. Two-way communication with the neighborhood is a top priority for all involved so please share any feedback so we can minimize local impacts.

Site Plan details are still being worked on and will be shared at a future Forum in advance of submission to the City of Portland. To join online, please register for the Zoom meeting using this link. We look forward to including you in our plans for the next phase as we prepare for the future Roux Campus. 

• Site Preparation: Equipment will be brought to and set up on the site. Site safety and communications will continue to be our top priority to ensure all workers and neighbors are properly informed throughout.
• June 5: Demolition will start in Cluster 1, beginning with the larger warehouse on the north side of the site, shown on the drawing below (click to zoom). Approximately 5 trucks per day will haul sorted construction debris.
• Next: Excavators will start work on Cluster 2, with approximately 10 trucks a day in service throughout the remainder of demolition.
• Ongoing: Continuous sorting and hauling of construction debris; tire washing before trailer trucks depart the site; water cannons in use to minimize dust; air quality sampling, noise and vibration monitoring.
• June 29: Neighborhood Forum to report on progress and anticipated schedule for completion.

Mobilization for demolition is underway, with demolition set to commence around June 5th. Here is what to expect in the first few weeks:

You may reach out to Consigli’s construction project director, Bill Stevens, with any questions or concerns (830-734-2344). Stay tuned for further updates on this website.

Thanks to all who attended the Neighborhood Forum, either in person or online. Use this link to download the video recording of the Neighborhood Forum. Meeting notes can be viewed here.  

Please join us in person or by Zoom to hear about the work now underway to prepare the site for its next life as the home of the Roux Institute at Northeastern University. Since the first Neighborhood Forum on February 28, experienced teams have been busy safely completing abatement and preparing various buildings for demolition. At this forum, we will update you on progress, share images of the process and discuss what’s coming next. Most importantly, we look forward to your questions and feedback. 

We are committed to keeping the neighborhood informed about activities on site and minimizing local impacts. The meeting will be from 5:30 – 7:00 pm at Washington Gardens Community Center (66 Pembroke St., on the corner of Churchill St. and Pembroke St.) Please register for the Zoom meeting using this link. We hope to see you there.

Thanks to all who attended the first Neighborhood Forum, either in person or online. Use this link to download the video recording of the Neighborhood Forum. Meeting notes can be viewed here.

The first Neighborhood Forum will be held tonight, February 28th from 5:30 – 7:00 and there is a Zoom option available if you choose not to go out in the storm. The meeting will be held at the Greater Portland Council of Governments, 970 Baxter Boulevard #201. The purpose of this first Forum is to introduce Consigli – the construction manager who will be managing all initial work on the site, to describe the site mobilization process and initial activities on site, to share our plans for ongoing communication through the project, and to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. 

The Consigli Project Director and Superintendent will be available to answer questions and provide on-call contact information.  You can attend either in person or via Zoom. Meeting notes and an audio recording will be posted on this website.

City Council Approves Institutional Overlay Zone

On February 6, the City Council heard public comment on the proposed rezoning and voted unanimously to approve the zone change and accompanying text and map amendments. As stated by City staff who presented the proposal, the zoning sets the terms for the development, but it is not an approval to build anything. 

The Roux Institute at Northeastern University and IDEALS, with continued input from neighbors and other interested parties, can now turn our attention to the development of the Site Plan for the first phase of the Roux Campus. The Site Plan process includes Planning Board review of the proposed project for compliance with standards related to transportation, environmental quality, public infrastructure and community safety, and site design. A Transportation Demand Management Plan detailing methods to mitigate vehicular trips and encourage other modes of transportation will be submitted to the city as part of the site plan review process. A traffic movement permit will be required for developments, consistent with the Regulatory Framework.

To provide timely information to neighbors and the public at large, Neighborhood Forums will be held on at least a quarterly basis, with the first one scheduled for February 28 (see below). In addition, a Community Advisory Group (CAG) will be formed to ensure city-wide and neighborhood focused engagement in the site planning process. 

What Happens Next

Around March 1, the construction manager, Consigli, will begin the first phase of site mobilization, localized abatement and eventually demolition of certain buildings. Initial enabling and abatement will take approximately three months, during which time 10-20 vehicles will travel to the site per day, bringing a peak of 20 workers. Prior to starting any abatement or demolition work, baseline readings of dust, sound and vibration will be taken, and monitoring will continue regularly throughout the project. Additional enabling work includes surveying, fencing, signage, erosion protection and fencing. Coordination with City, State and Federal agencies and public utilities will occur throughout. Parking will be exclusively on site, and to ensure safety, the closed gate will be maintained. Please note that all of the above activities relate only to abatement and demolition. No construction will begin until site plan approval has been obtained.

First Neighborhood Forum on February 28, 2023

Neighborhood Forums will be held at least quarterly and more frequently as needed, with the first scheduled on February 28th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Greater Portland Council of Governments (Presumpscot and Ocean Avenue Elementary Schools were not available). The purpose of this first Forum is to introduce Consigli – the construction manager who will be managing all initial work on the site – and to describe the site mobilization process and what can be expected for vehicle trips and other activities on site. The Consigli Project Director and Superintendent will be available to answer questions and provide on-call contact information. Please consider attending either in person or via Zoom.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed rezoning for the Roux Campus on February 6th at its regularly scheduled meeting. Further information will be provided when the agenda for the meeting is posted by the City. Please use this link to access the staff report on the proposed rezoning. You can also see the meeting agenda and full council packet here, after it is posted.

Honoring a beloved winter tradition, the familiar rooftop Christmas tree on the former B&M Baked Bean building has been relit for the holidays. As you can see from the photos, the restoration and restringing process was a major undertaking. The original repurposed flagpole was welded at junctions, and cable ties were replaced to ensure the tree would continue to withstand Maine winter conditions.

We hope this tree will be a symbol of continuity for the Portland community and beyond as the B&M site is reborn as the permanent home of a new Portland institution – the Roux Institute at Northeastern University.

As a gesture of appreciation, and with thanks to all those who have followed and participated in our project to date, we gilded two beautiful trees on site to add light during the long winter nights. The beauty of the installation is credit to Maine outdoor lighting specialists Brent McHale and Eric Hanson, along with Portland artist Theo Darvin who handcrafted the metal spheres.

We wish all of you a happy and peaceful holiday season!

The Planning Board will meet on Tuesday, November 22nd to consider a zoning map and text amendment application to facilitate the creation of an Institutional Development Plan (IDP) and Institutional Overlay Zone (IOZ) for the Roux Institute Campus to be located at 1 Bean Pot Circle. The meeting will take place remotely via Zoom. Public comments are welcome at this hearing. Please use this link to access the Planning Board agenda with the Zoom link to join the meeting.

Plans for the Roux Campus will be on the Planning Board agenda on Tuesday, October 25th. The meeting will take place remotely via Zoom. Public comments are welcome at this workshop. Please use this link to access the Planning Board agenda with the Zoom link to join the meeting.

Transportation will be the focus of the next Planning Board workshop. The Revised Transportation Section of the Institutional Development Plan can be accessed here link. The meeting will take place remotely via Zoom. Public comments are welcome at this workshop. Use this link to access the Planning Board agenda with the Zoom link to join the meeting. 

Much-needed rain subsided for four hours while we welcomed about 130 guests to an Open House at the future home of the Roux Institute. Team members from IDEALS and the Roux Institute toured small groups of neighbors around the property and answered questions. The tours ended at a tent on the east side of the site, where attendees viewed artistic renderings of what a future Roux Campus might look like and how the proposed public open spaces could be enjoyed. The architects, engineers and project leads were on hand to discuss plans and answer questions. The images here, for conceptual purposes only, show an initial vision of the repurposed bean building next to the academic and research building (2) and a portion of a waterfront promenade in front of the academic and research building (4). As always, please reach out to info@rouxcampusportland.org if you want more information, have questions or want to register a comment or concern.

Thanks to all who attended the Portland Planning Board’s second workshop on August 9 via Zoom. Following a presentation by the applicant (link) and questions from Planning Board members, comments were received from the public, after which the Planning Board continued its deliberations. 

Planning Board members expressed appreciation for recent clarifications specifying that IDEALS is working on behalf of the Roux Institute and that sufficient right, title or interest to the entire campus will be conveyed to the Roux Institute before the first site plan application is submitted. They asked a number of questions about zoning options, tax status, qualifying institutions and contingencies, plans for open space, consistency with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion objectives, sustainability metrics, coordination with the bike and pedestrian community, height requirements and placement, and plans for long-term neighborhood engagement. During the public comment period, eight people spoke, often asking questions or offering suggestions while expressing support for the project. Representatives of Greater Portland Landmarks and Portland Trails endorsed the project and thanked IDEALS for the early outreach and responsiveness to ideas. The next Planning Board workshop, tentatively scheduled for October 11th, will focus on traffic and transportation.

Please use this link to the recording of the workshop, and this link to access a summary of the meeting prepared by News @ Northeastern.

A Roux Campus Open House will be held on site at the former B&M plant – the future home of the Roux Institute.

Date: Tuesday, September 6, 2022 (rain or shine)

Time: 3-7 pm

Location: One Bean Pot Circle | Portland, ME 04103

Please use this link to register to attend. We look forward to welcoming you and showing plans for the site.

Plans for the Roux Campus will be on the Planning Board agenda on Tuesday, August 9th. The meeting will take place remotely via Zoom. Public comments are welcome at this workshop. Please use this link to access the Planning Board agenda with the Zoom link to join the meeting.

Plans for the Roux Campus will be first on the Planning Board agenda on Tuesday, June 14th, as the Board begins its review of the zoning map and text amendment submitted by IDEALS. For details on the scaled-back development plan announced on June 2nd in response to public feedback, please see Update #13, below. For the revised Institutional Development Plan and Regulatory Framework, please see Update #14, below. The meeting will take place remotely via Zoom. Public comments are welcome at this workshop. Use this link to access the Planning Board agenda with the Zoom link to join the meeting.

Updated documents have been submitted to the City of Portland in support of the Institutional Overlay Zone request. The documents include a revised Institutional Development Plan and Regulatory Framework. Supplemental information includes shadow studies, massing concepts, and neighborhood views (similar to those presented at the June 2 Roux Campus Roundtable). Click on the link to review the revised proposal.

Thank you to everyone who joined the forum on June 2, 2022 where we presented changes to the zoning plan in response to public feedback. You can watch a recording of the meeting using this link.

Highlights of revisions to the zoning plan include:

• A reduction of 468,000 square feet in building density, equivalent to 27% of the total
• A reduction in maximum building height from 210’ to 170’
• A reduction in traffic volume due to reduced lab and office space
• Limit of 8 stories for the hotel, with parking underneath
• A 60% reduction in retail space

We wish to express our sincere appreciation to all those who offered comments at our public forums, in person and on the website.  

Please continue to share your feedback and questions in the Feedback section.

(This roundtable, previously scheduled to be held in person, has been moved to Zoom.)

What: Roux Campus Roundtable

Why: To Discuss the Roux Campus Planned for the B&M Site. Presentation and Q&A on updates to the zoning plan in response to public feedback.

When: 5:30 PM on Thursday, June 2

Where: Via Zoom. Please register for the meeting using this link.

Once registered you will receive a link to join the meeting via computer or telephone. Following the meeting, a video link to the meeting will be posted in the Updates section of the website.

You can also send a request for a one-on-one call or meeting to info@rouxcampusportland.org and we will respond directly to set up a time to talk.

What: Historic Preservation Workshop

Why: Preliminary consideration of the proposed Landmark Designation of the Burnham & Morrill Cannery Building, One Bean Pot Circle. Nominated by the Initiative for Digital Engineering & Life Sciences. 

Attachments: Meeting Agenda, Nomination Packet and Structural Report

When: Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at 5:00 PM

Where: Zoom webinar

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/j/84734486676 [portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us]

Or One tap mobile : US: +13017158592,,84734486676#

Or Telephone: US: +1 301 715 8592

Webinar ID: 847 3448 6676

International numbers available: https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/u/kbjzsFoBH7 [portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us]

What: In-Person Neighborhood Meeting

Why: To Discuss the Zoning Application for the Roux Campus

When: Wednesday, April 6, 2022

5:30 – 5:45 PM Welcome and brief presentation on zoning application

5:45 – Q&A

Where: Ocean Avenue Elementary School Cafeteria, 150 Ocean Avenue, Portland, Maine

What: Roux Campus Roundtable

Why: To Discuss the Zoning Application for the Roux Campus

When: Wednesday, March 23

5:30 – 5:35 PM Welcome

5:35 – 5:50 PM Roux Institute learners and partner

5:50 – End time TBD Q&A

Where: Via Zoom. Please register for the meeting using this link.

Once registered you will receive a link to join the meeting via computer or telephone. Following the meeting, a video link to the meeting will be posted in the Updates section of the website.

If you would be willing to submit questions or topics of interest in advance on the registration form, it will enable us to cover as many issues as possible during the forum, but you should also feel free to “raise your hand” during the Q&A. We want to hear from as many people as possible, in writing and in person. You can also send a request for a one-on-one call or meeting to info@rouxcampusportland.org and we will respond directly to set up a time to talk.

On February 28, the non-profit Initiative for Digital Engineering and Life Sciences (IDEALS) submitted its Institutional Development Plan (IDP) and Regulatory Framework (the zoning application) for the Roux Campus to the City of Portland (Linked Here). These documents describe the intended uses on the site and the commitments to public access, sustainability, resiliency, and design integrity. This is the zoning phase, where height and density footprints are established. Although it is in the Site Plan stage later, where the building design and campus plan come together, IDEALS is clear about the following intentions:

• To create an exciting and accessible mixed-use campus that galvanizes Portland and contributes to the East Deering neighborhood without encroaching on it or unduly burdening City resources.
• To design a walkable, bikeable, welcoming environment that takes full advantage of the shoreline and makes the waterfront campus an accessible public open space.
• To build a campus that is a national model of sustainability, resiliency and beauty.
• To strengthen the Roux Institute’s ability to attract, educate, and offer financial support to students from a wide variety of diverse backgrounds.
• To work with the City of Portland, using Traffic Design Management (TDM), a commitment to multi-modal transportation and recommendations for roadway improvements to minimize and mitigate potential traffic impacts.
• To add new bike and pedestrian access under the north side of Tukey’s Bridge, connecting to existing city trails and potential new ones.
• To be proactive, transparent and responsive in communication with City leaders, neighbors and interested stakeholders.

We recognize the value of informed public input, which is why we have already held three public Zoom meetings, dozens of individual meetings and have an active website for public comment.

IDEALS has incorporated public input to date and looks forward to feedback from the City and the public to help the Roux Campus become a launchpad for entrepreneurial breakthroughs and a magnetic new presence in Portland.

Please submit your comments or questions through this website and stay tuned for the next Roux Campus Roundtable. Notice of the meeting will be posted on this website. You can Subscribe for email updates and add your feedback or ask questions in our Feedback section.

Thanks to all who joined the second Roux Campus Roundtable on February 1, 2022. We will continue to schedule these sessions to listen to neighbors and answer questions as the project progresses. You can watch a recording of the Zoom meeting at this link.

At the second Roundtable (following the first Neighborhood Meeting), we had a lot of thoughtful questions about traffic, parking, trails, building heights, the pier, submerged lands, shadow studies, zoning, permitting, plans for the Roux Institute and auxiliary needs, and public notifications. Highlights of the responses are listed below:

• We are in the early stages of working though the analysis of projected traffic and possible improvements with the city and will have more detailed information to share in the near future.
• We are proposing a range of building heights in the long-term zoning proposal, up to 210’ nearest I-295, so we can accommodate sufficient housing on site (which reduces traffic impacts) and all of the other uses that are integral to the Roux Institute’s mission.
• The existing pier has suffered the kind of deterioration that caused the collapse of the Surfside Condominiums in Miami. A structural engineer did a detailed report showing it was totally unsafe. Our goal is to rebuild the pier with provisions for boat access.
• The initial shadow studies are being updated to reflect proposed design parameters and will be shared with the public when completed.
• We will soon be submitting an Institutional Development Plan (IDP) and Regulatory Framework for an Institutional Overlay Zone (IOZ). The content of the application was shared in the presentation. It is a zoning plan to guide development over time, and keep it contained on site, consistent with the City’s goals. The details of the buildings and site design are still conceptual and will be proposed in the next phase.
• The non-profit Initiative for Digital Engineering and Life Sciences (IDEALS) is creating a campus for the Roux Institute at Northeastern University that is focused on graduate education, partnership collaboration, entrepreneurial endeavors and the infrastructure that will support world-class research and innovation. To attract the level of global talent and investment necessary to succeed, the Roux Campus must be designed at scale. 
• The next Roux Campus Roundtable will be sometime in March. All residents of East Deering will receive notice by mail and the public is also welcome to attend. Notice will be posted on this website.

Please continue to share your feedback and questions in the Feedback section.

What: Roux Campus Roundtable

Why: To Discuss the Draft Zoning Application for the Roux Campus

When: Tuesday, February 1

5:30 – 6:00 PM Presentation

6:00 – 7:00 PM Discussion

Where: Via Zoom. Please register for the meeting using this link.

Once registered you will receive a link to join the meeting via computer or telephone. Following the meeting, a video link to the meeting will be posted in the Updates section of the website.

Thanks to all who joined the first Roux Campus Roundtable on December 14, 2021. We will continue to schedule these sessions to listen to neighbors and answer questions as the project progresses. You can watch a recording of the Zoom meeting at this link.

At the December 14 Roundtable, we heard a lot of valuable feedback and good questions. Neighbors and others asked about the scale of the project and how it would impact nearby residents, particularly with regard to traffic and building height. A number of participants noted that cities are characterized by tall buildings and expressed support for building “up” instead of “out” to create new green space on the site. The meeting gave us a chance to clarify that we are still early in the design phase and will continue to solicit input as plans progress. To that point, we heard preference for a mix of building heights and for creation of new pedestrian and bicycle trails to access the site and connect to existing and potential new trails in Portland and north toward Falmouth. One speaker noted that change is good, but it’s hard. Another asked how the campus was being designed for resilience to climate change. There was also a question about the types of new jobs at the Roux Campus. Two participants stated that the alternative to the Roux Institute on the B&M site would have probably been luxury condos. There was a question about the mix of uses on the site – education, startup business, retail, etc. – and whether they would be tax exempt. While the Roux Institute at Northeastern University will be tax-exempt, taxes paid on other buildings are likely to exceed current payments on the B&M plant. We welcome more questions and feedback on this website and at future meetings, and we are happy to schedule one-on-one or small group meetings. If you would like to meet with project representatives, please send an email to info@rouxcampusportland.org and remember to sign up for updates to stay informed. 

What: Roux Campus Roundtable

Why: To Discuss the Roux Campus Planned for the B&M Site

When: Tuesday, December 14

               6:30 – 7 PM Presentation (same as November 18);

               7 – 8:30 PM Discussion

Where:   Via Zoom. Please register for the meeting using this link.

Once registered you will receive a link to join the meeting via computer or telephone.

Thank you to everyone who joined the first Neighborhood Meeting November 18, 2021

You can watch a recording of the Zoom meeting at this link.

To recap, during the meeting we discussed the Roux Institute at Northeastern University and presented our vision for the Roux Campus in Portland, along with information on the regulatory process and opportunities for public input. We heard a lot of good feedback from participants, who also asked excellent questions focused on traffic and transportation improvements, connecting trails to the site, job opportunities, climate resiliency and lighting.

To continue to solicit public input, we have scheduled the first of what we are calling Roux Campus Roundtables on December 14 at 6:30 PM. Stay tuned to the website for a Zoom link.

Please continue to share your feedback and questions in the Feedback section.

We’ll be hosting the first public meeting about the Roux Campus on Thursday, November 18th, 6:30-8:30 pm.

The meeting will be held remotely via Zoom. Please register for the meeting using the following link:  https://bernsteinshur.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dj6q7LWhQJ6Galmt70HkLQ 

Once registered, you will receive a link to join the meeting and you will be able to join via computer or by telephone.

We are required to keep a record of attendees and the registration allows us to do that.

Welcome to the Roux Campus’ online engagement site!

We are glad that you are here and we are looking forward to hearing from you. Please view the Info section to learn more about the project and the Feedback section to post a comment. Also, please subscribe to this project to get notified about project updates.

Here are a few articles about us in the news –

Aug 30, 2021: Portland’s B&M Baked Beans factory to be replaced with Roux Institute campus

Aug 30, 2021: End of an era: Portland’s B&M factory to be converted into Roux Institute technology campus

Aug 30, 2021: Iconic B&M Baked Beans factory to be sold, turned into Roux Institute campus

Aug 30, 2021: Portland’s historic B&M factory sold after more than 100 years

Aug 31, 2021: Famous Portland Baked Beans Factory Will Become Campus Of Northeastern University Program

Aug 31, 2021: Our View: Roux campus would be an opportunity factory

Aug 31, 2021: Upcoming B&M closure sparks nostalgia, hope for future development

Sep 13, 2021: Portland has changed and you can really smell the difference

Sep 15, 2021: B&M site wasn’t for sale — until the right buyer came along

Dec 24, 2021: B&M is leaving Portland, but its holiday light display is here to stay