In 2022, a 20-year redevelopment proposal was submitted for the old B&M Baked Beans factory in Portland. Fast forward to February this year, and the Portland City Council gave the green light to rezone the property in East Deering. This rezoning opens the door for a new graduate school and research center, courtesy of the nonprofit Institute for Digital Engineering and Life Sciences (IDEALS).
The reimagined factory site will now house the Roux Institute at Northeastern University, serving as a hub for advanced technology education and research. Over the next two decades, the transformation plan includes the construction of classrooms, offices, and apartments, potentially rivaling Maine’s tallest structures. The area will also feature public green spaces and waterfront access, with additional amenities like a hotel and restaurant to cater to business and research visitors.
The Roux Institute, founded with a generous $100 million donation from tech entrepreneur David Roux, is about three years old. Its mission is to boost Maine’s workforce and economy through a high-tech graduate school, business accelerator, and training programs.
As of now, there’s no confirmed start date for construction.