Beginning in the early 1990’s, the old mill buildings began to draw attention once again. Efforts to redevelop these grand old buildings for multi-purpose properties began in earnest. The Saco Island Project is the largest of these in scale. Once referred to as Factory Island, this parcel of land is home to a number of old mill structures that are being transformed into residential, commercial and office space while preserving their old industrial historical charm. The idea is put emphasis on “livability” and access to the public with small inviting parks and walkways along the river. The River Dam and North Dam mill projects are also underway but they are not as far along as Saco Island is.

There are other endeavors taking hold in the area as well. A new train station to serve Amtrak is being developed in conjunction with the Saco Island project. This will be an attractive new alternative for those seeking access to points south and will bring them through the new development complex as well.

Biddeford is also expanding its hospital services by building a new emergency service wing. There is also expansion going on at the University of New England. With a campus located in Biddeford, this university is the only medical school in the state. UNE specializes in osteopathic medicine and boasts a new college of pharmacy as well.

There is indeed much positive activity taking place in Biddeford and in neighboring Saco but there are also some concerns. MERC, sprawl, zoning issues have all played a part, and certainly worth a mention is the reputation as a “tough town” that has clung to the Biddeford over the years. While this lingering reputation seems more outdated with the passage of time, the region itself has had difficulty shedding what is not a flattering or welcoming reputation. Local development groups and downtown revitalization efforts are beginning to chip away at this “old mill town baggage.”

How will this area look in ten years? Will it be a prosperous region with little or no wild, untouched land -- the victim of sprawl? Will people gather at the new trendy mall complexes built of transformed textile mills? Will MERC remain a perpetual eyesore and olfactory irritant to Biddeford’s downtown? Will businesses ultimately care or will the city finally make a decisive decision on the plant’s future? Will the area’s primary salvation be revealed as being nothing more than its proximity to the lucrative Portland market and more urban centers to the south?