GrowSmart Maine Honors Three Smart Growth Projects
The Augusta-based nonprofit recognized developments in Lewiston, Auburn, and Saco at its annual summit.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Civic
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GrowSmart Maine, an Augusta-based nonprofit, recognized three development projects in Lewiston, Auburn, and Saco for smart growth. The honors were presented at the group's annual summit at the Strand Theatre in Rockland.
Why it matters
The awards recognize projects and people nominated by the public for preserving open space, engaging the public effectively, building climate resilience, and stewarding community sense of place. For Maine readers, the honorees show how housing and campus projects are being shaped around these goals.
Close to 200 municipal planners, elected officials, and housing advocates attended the summit, which honored a nine-building affordable housing neighborhood in Lewiston and three dormitories and a dining commons at The Ecology School in Saco. The extraction does not say how the honorees were selected against other nominations.
The players
GrowSmart Maine
An Augusta-based nonprofit that promotes smart growth and sponsors annual awards recognizing development projects and people across Maine.
The details
Fallview on Main, a mixed-use housing complex on the Androscoggin River in Auburn, was developed by Gorham-based Great Falls Construction in collaboration with the city. The Ecology School's dormitories and dining commons in Saco were designed by Portland's Kaplan Thompson Architects, and the Lewiston project was a joint effort with Portland-based Avesta Housing and the Lewiston Housing Authority, built by Hebert Construction.
Timeline
Fall 2026: GrowSmart Maine held its annual summit at the Strand Theatre in Rockland, where the honorees were celebrated.
Season Trajectory
The GrowSmart Maine awards extend the nonprofit's recurring recognition of smart growth projects across Maine's communities. The honored projects reflect how municipalities are pairing affordable housing and campus development with open space and community sense of place.
Residents of Lewiston, Auburn, and Saco may see the honored housing and campus projects shape their local neighborhoods. The awards highlight developments that combine affordable housing with preserved open space and public engagement.
The takeaway
Smart growth projects often pair housing needs with open space, public input, and climate resilience, offering a model residents can watch for in their own towns. Public nominations drove these honors, so community members can take part in future recognition programs.
Further reading
Explore more Civic coverage across Maine to see how local development decisions are shaped.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mainebiz.
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