-Main-Land Development Consultants is leading a team of Maine firms readying the site for spring construction and is the only one based in Western Maine-

LIVERMORE FALLS – A Western Maine firm has been chosen as the lead developers for the $165 million Oxford casino project approved by Maine voters last month.

Black Bear Entertainment has retained the Livermore Falls based Main-Land Development Consultants to lead development at the site of the 65,000-square-foot four-season resort casino and connected 200-room hotel atop Pigeon Hill.

The firm’s work as project managers of the site development includes site selection, surveying and site mapping, conceptual planning and site layout, grading and utility designs.

Main-Land is also responsible for obtaining local, state and federal permits for the project, and was on hand to present plans earlier this month at a Maine Department of Environmental Protection required hearing held in Oxford, attended by more than 200 people, the majority of whom turned out in support of the casino and the jobs it will bring to the community.

Main-Land engineer Bob Berry, who is serving as project manager for the firm’s work on the casino, said his team plans to file its application to Maine DEP for a state permit for the first phase of the project by December 22. An application to the town of Oxford’s Planning Board will follow in January.

Following approvals, construction would begin at the site in the spring, with the casino opening the following spring of 2012. Construction at the site will generate hundreds of jobs, and Black Bear Entertainment has received thousands of inquiries from those hoping to work in the casino and related resort facilities once they are complete, said Berry. Future expansion plans include expanded gaming facilities, a 200-room hotel room, parking garage and convention facilities.

While the Oxford casino will provide first class gaming, lodging, dining and entertainment facilities, the development of the resort will be respectful of its rural location. The eco-conscious buildings will compliment the woodland setting and required exterior lights will be downward facing so as not to be seen from nearby Route 26 and abutting homes, Berry explained.

“Main-Land’s has been working in Western Maine for nearly four decades, but perhaps more importantly, we also live, play and are active in our communities here. Because of that, we know how important this resort will be to our neighbors, and we have the local relationships and the track record to ensure the site will be developed in a way that is both respectful of the region’s past while readying it for an exciting and prosperous future,” said Berry.

In addition to Berry as Project Manager, Main-Land’s team includes: Survey Coordinator Charles Buker, engineer Richard Dunton, surveyor Barry Allen and GIS Coordinator and surveyor Timothy Gallant.

Other Maine companies consulting on the site development include wetland scientist Ken Stratton of Winthrop, Maine Traffic Resources of Gardiner, Summit Geoengineering Services of Lewiston, Sweet Associates of Falmouth and Land Design Solutions of Cumberland. The Hartford, Connecticut based JCJ Architecture is the project architect.

Berry said he and his Main-Land team are proud that a local firm was chosen to lead the development of a project so important to the people and financial future of Western Maine. Not only does it speak to the talent the region holds, but also to the commitment of Black Bear Entertainment to create meaningful opportunity for Western Maine from day one, he said.

“Black Bear Entertainment likes to hire the best professionals, and the best can be found right here in Maine,” said Robert Lally, treasurer for Black Bear Entertainment and a co-owner of the nearby Mt. Abram ski area. “When the time came to choose a land development consultant and start site selection for the Oxford Resort Casino, our first call was to Main-Land. The firm has the professionals, the technology, and the understanding of the significance of this resort to our region needed for this unique project.”

For more information about Main-Land Development Consultants, visit www.main-landdevelopment.com or call (207) 897-6752. For more information about the Oxford Resort Casino, visit www.mainecasino.com.

ABOUT MAIN-LAND DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS
Main-Land Development Consultants has been providing land use planning services including surveying, soils testing, mapping, engineering, permitting and wastewater design to both public and private projects throughout western Maine and beyond since 1974. The company, now in its 37th year, is based in Livermore Falls and can be found online at www.main-landdevelopment.com. For more information, call (207) 897-6752.