The City of Waterville, Maine is experiencing a dramatic transformation. Historically a regional crossroads and thriving industrial city, Waterville faced economic challenges with changes in industry and manufacturing. Working with the City and Colby College, BBB facilitated an inclusive visioning process that engaged the community in a revitalization plan for Downtown. Building on Waterville’s historic architecture, local businesses, and anchor institutions, the plan has created a framework to guide a wide range of projects and initiatives.
Downtown Waterville Revitalization
Waterville, ME

Colby College
A historic partnership between Colby College and the City of Waterville has resulted in a revitalization plan that is transforming Downtown Waterville with economic development, cultural programs, and new public spaces.


Courtesy of Outreach of Waterville Creates, John Meader


Strategic projects funded by Colby College and the Harold Alfond Foundation are leveraging additional private investment throughout Downtown. Colby development includes a mixed-use building with student apartments and retail, a Main Street hotel, and the renovation of a historic office building. With a new cultural arts center, an expanded farmers market, and improved public open spaces, the revitalization effort is restoring Waterville’s role as a regional destination and a hub for Mid-Maine economic development.






Courtesy of Mitchell and Associates

Read more about the project in the Boston Globe article “Maine city teams with Colby to revitalize a college town.”




Project Credits
BBB Partner-in-Charge
Neil P. Kittredge
BBB Team
Rayna Huber Erlich
Kitty Tsui
Kitty Tsui
Landscape Architecture
Mitchell & Associates
Real Estate
Sirefman Ventures, Inc.
Transportation
BFJ Planning
Photography
Lisa Abitbol
Séan Harris
Séan Harris
Awards & Press
Central Maine
Waterville to welcome scores of apartments starting in 2025
Marketplace
Revisiting a revitalized Waterville, Maine
Down East
What Does a Reinvigorated Downtown Mean for Waterville?
Inside Higher Ed
Building Trust and Community’ Between a College and a Town
Boston Globe
Maine college invests in once-struggling mill town, hoping rising tide will lift both
New York Times
Colleges Invest So ‘What’s the Town Like?’ Gets an Upbeat Answer
Central Maine
Waterville’s Castonguay Square redesign concept to include walkways, gardens, plaza, green space
Boston Globe
Maine city teams with Colby to revitalize a college town
