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The Town of Lisbon’s outdoor public dining and gathering space, called Moxie Plaza, is taking shape on the lower section of Main Street in Lisbon Falls.
Darcie Moore/The Times Record
LISBON Opinions were split among businesses, residence and councilors Tuesday as the council moved forward with a plan to close lower Main Street to motor vehicles to encourage more foot traffic and outdoor dining there.
The proposal, developed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, drew more than 100 emails and messages, according to council chair Allen Ward.
They voted 4-3 to proceed with a plan to close lower Main Street as far as Union Street, provided the plan address concerns raised by businesses and neighbors impacted by the closure.
While the city made exceptions to its public health orders to allow for limited dine-in services at bars and restaurants earlier this month, Daneen Looby, part owner of the Norwegian Rat Saloon, said that many of their customers are still choosing to stay home.
Credit Maggie Nelson/KUCB
As January comes to a close, Unalaska is rounding up the start of its busy winter fishing season. That s usually a bustling time for local bars and restaurants, with fishermen and industry workers filling bar stools at the Norwegian Rat Saloon or crowding the dance floor at Harbor View Bar and Grill.
Lisbon to fast track redevelopment of rundown, vacant properties
The Lisbon Development Committee approved a land bank program allowing the town to purchase distressed properties to speed up redevelopment.
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LISBON Lisbon selectmen approved a program last week that will allow the town to purchase distressed properties to speed up redevelopment of the buildings and get them back on the tax roll.
Eligible properties in Lisbon could include commercial or residential properties that have been vacant, abandoned, tax-delinquent, foreclosed, dangerous or blighted for an extended period of time that detract from the value of neighboring properties or threaten safety.
Under this program, town staff can buy, hold, maintain, lease, sell, demolish or rehabilitate an eligible property. Funding for the program will come from the sale of town-owned property as well as money set aside for land acquisition and downtown economic development.