Map View of the Steven School Campus

The map of the Stevens School Campus - Hallowell provides a visual of buildings, roads, parking areas and open space. When you read the HEADLINE posts that I developed over a number of days, you will see a vision of how the complex can be developed so that the Stevens School property and its tenants will be viewed as a destination for many.

As I visited the blog and reviewed its content more ideas regarding use of the property emerged.

I hope that all of us are committed to how the complex can be transformed to reflect the values of our community and become the jewel of Kennebec Valley. As a community, we have a great opportunity to realize many worthy ideals. The complex that I envision includes the following:

1. The Hallowell Academy for Creativity and Performing Arts -- Maine's Charter School for Creative/Performing Arts and an institution that would issue skill based certificates for adults. The academy would have the potential to employ many of Hallowell's musicians and artists.

2. Reed Nature Center -- The Reed Nature Center would manage the open fields and wooded areas of the complex. Center staff would be responsible for creating and managing trails. In addition, The Hallowell Organic Gardening Cooperative would be formed. Members of the Cooperative would plant and tend vegetable and flower gardens on the land directly behind the Reed Nature Center. The Reed Nature Center would provide office space for Nature Center Staff and a small kitchen for catering events at the Center. The gymnasium would become a center for the performing arts and educational programs.

3. Martha Ballard Birthing Center -- The Birthing Center would be affiliated with the family medical clinic co-located.

4. Creative Play ChildCare -- Stakeholders would form the Hallowell ChildCare Collaborative. Through the collabortive a childcare center would be created that would provide childcare for Hallowell families.

5. Stevens School Wellness Center -- Stakeholders would form the Hallowell Wellness Cooperative. Through this group a wellness center would be created that would provide exercise programs, educational programs, and discussion groups focusing on wellness and healthy living.

6. The Riverview Hill Top Diner -- The diner would offer breakfast and lunch. Late afternoon to 9:00 pm speciality coffees and teas would be served with a dessert menu.

7. Riverview Inn and Conference Center -- Thirty room inn with small conference center. The conference functions would expand to other buildings on the Stevens campus and the Reed Nature Center.

8. Ten affordable houses positioned above existing buildings.

9. Outdoor theater in upper field -- maintained and managed by the staff of the Reed Nature Center. Varied Uses: educational programs, concerts, community events.

Each proposed use is interrelated with other uses. Conferences and special events are coordinated with local businesses.