Housing + Reinvestment: Turning Blight Into Homes

By, Vince Gentile - Member of the Zoning Board and Chair of the Westbrook DTC.
Why I Support Housing, Reinvestment, and the Rehabilitation of Long‑Neglected Properties in WestbrookWestbrook, like many shoreline communities, is facing a real and growing challenge: how do we create more housing options while also dealing responsibly with properties that have been vacant, deteriorating, or underused for decades?
As a member of the community and someone who believes strongly in practical, responsible local decision‑making, I support projects that do both — add housing and rehabilitate long‑neglected properties — when they are thoughtfully reviewed and improved through public input.
That’s why I supported the recent Zoning Commission approval of the Harbor House Condominiums project at 756 Boston Post Road, the former site of the Viking Motel.
Replacing a Long‑Standing EyesoreThe Viking Motel property has been a persistent eyesore along Route 1 for many decades. The motel itself dated back to the early 20th century and had long since outlived its usefulness. Over time, the site became increasingly deteriorated and was frequently raised by residents as a problem property.
According to local reporting, the motel had been abandoned and blighted prior to redevelopment planning and was demolished as part of preparing the site for a new use.
You can read more background in this Zip06 article:

• https://zip06.com/news/855657/second-hearing-set-for-condo-plan-at-former-viking-motel/

Rather than allowing the property to continue to decline, the approved project replaces it with a well‑regulated, code‑compliant redevelopment that makes better use of an existing commercial corridor.
What Was ApprovedThe Harbor House Condominiums project includes:

• A two‑story residential building
• 20 one‑bedroom condominium units
• Approximately 16,800 square feet of residential floor area
• A primary entrance on Boston Post Road (Route 1)
• 31 on‑site parking spaces, including accessible parking
• A small commercial component required under existing zoning

The site is located in Westbrook’s Neighborhood Commercial District and is also subject to coastal and flood‑related regulations, which required additional review and engineering analysis as part of the approval process.
Why Housing Matters — Across GenerationsHousing is not a one‑size‑fits‑all issue, and it affects people at very different stages of life.
Younger residents — including people who grew up here — are often looking for ways to stay in Westbrook close to family, work, and community, but face limited options.
At the same time, older residents frequently tell us they want to downsize and age in place, but struggle to find smaller, manageable housing without leaving town entirely.
Adding well‑designed condominium housing helps address both needs. It provides options that allow people to remain part of the community across different stages of life, instead of being forced out by a lack of suitable housing.
A Thorough Review ProcessBecause of the site’s location — including floodplain considerations — the Harbor House proposal went through detailed engineering, drainage, fire safety, and Coastal Area Management review. Local reporting noted that the project required additional hearings and revisions so technical questions could be addressed before a final decision was made.
That process matters. It ensures that projects are not rushed and that real concerns — from environmental issues to site access — are carefully evaluated.
Responsiveness to Neighborhood ConcernsOne thing I appreciated throughout the process was that the proposal did not remain static. The developers worked with Town staff and responded to questions and concerns raised during the review.
Changes were made to reduce impacts and improve site circulation, including design decisions intended to focus access on Boston Post Road rather than nearby residential streets. That kind of responsiveness doesn’t solve every concern, but it does reflect a willingness to engage and improve a proposal based on feedback.
Why This Matters for Westbrook’s FutureNo development is perfect, and it’s reasonable for residents to have questions or concerns about change. But allowing dilapidated properties to sit indefinitely is not a solution either.
I support projects that:

• Increase housing options
• Reinvest in long‑neglected properties
• Make better use of existing infrastructure
• Improve the appearance and safety of our corridors
• Benefit both current and future generations

The Harbor House Condominiums project reflects those goals. It replaces a deteriorated site with housing that serves real community needs, while undergoing a thorough and transparent public review process.
If Westbrook is going to remain a vibrant, inclusive, and livable town, we need to keep having these conversations — and we need to be willing to act when projects align with our long‑term values.