Unique Hallowell Project an Example of Thoughtful Development

Sitting atop Winthrop Hill, Stevens Commons sprawls across 54-acres of land in the heart of Hallowell. The campus features a group of historic buildings complete with a central Quad, newly built structures, a mature landscape, and undeveloped acreage. Additionally, the new Fire Station for the City of Hallowell is currently being built on the property. The goal of Stevens Commons is to become a model for mixed-use development, leading the charge in central Maine to revitalize this underutilized area. Utilizing a combination of development and conservation efforts, Stevens Commons promises to bring a significant area back to life by providing the quality housing choices, business retail and office spaces, and public recreational areas so necessary to thriving communities.

The State of Maine previously owned the property, and had sought to sell it for over 10 years. Developer Matt Morrill, of Mastway Development, purchased Stevens Commons in 2016, and has been working with the City of Hallowell to design and implement a plan that is both innovative and community-centric. To accommodate the needs of the community, Morrill has donated some of the land at Stevens Commons to the City of Hallowell for the new Fire Station. Local business owner and long-time resident, Dennis Wheelock of Magnusson Balfour, is representing the property. They are both excited by the opportunities this landmark development brings to Hallowell, as it transforms a previously rundown location, and brings new residents and entrepreneurs, new jobs, and new tax dollars to the City of Hallowell.

The campus includes eight mixed-use buildings, and two parcels of land available for purchase. Five of the original historic buildings on the property are on the National Registry of Historic Places, and are being sensitively restored according to historic tax credits guidelines for commercial/retail use. The rehabilitation is planned in several phases; however, a few buildings are currently available for sale or lease. Local businesses are taking notice, and have already established themselves in the new professional campus areas, including several professional service businesses, health practitioners, and the offices of Dube Travel and Premier Property Management. The range of residential offerings will include senior and veteran housing, apartments, duplexes, and clustered subdivisions. As part of the green space conservation plans, common green spaces and walking trails will be created, and surrounding neighborhoods will be connected via sidewalks, trails, and vehicular access where appropriate.

The Stevens Commons project heralds the motto, “Cultivating community through conservation, restoration and partnership”, holding the creation of a quality natural environment, preservation of community heritage through the restoration of the historic architecture, and collaboration with the City of Hallowell and its residents in designing this development plan, as the cornerstones for its success. With a mix of compatible land uses including residential, commercial business and recreational, not only will a historic piece of Hallowell be restored, but essential business and residential properties will offer quality options for members of this unique community.

Keller Williams | Magnusson Balfour is delighted to be part of the exceptional real estate offerings at the Stevens Commons campus. Commercial office and retail spaces are currently available for lease, and some buildings and land are available for purchase to develop within the scope of the Comprehensive Plan. Please contact Dennis Wheelock for more information.

Broker on the Move: Dennis Wheelock Can Relate to the Needs of Small Businesses in Maine

Keller Williams | Magnusson Balfour Broker, Dennis Wheelock, has been a business owner and member of the Gardiner community for most of his adult life. Owning Dennis’ Pizza in Gardiner for 30 years, Dennis connects on a personal level with the small business owners and entrepreneurs he works with because he has lived it. He understands what it takes to run a business, the struggles business owners face, and what it takes to develop an exit strategy. He greatly enjoys the guidance and help he can give to entrepreneurs looking to start a business, owners expanding their businesses, and those ready to sell.

How long have you been a commercial real estate broker, how did you get started?

I’ve been a full time Commercial real estate and business broker for five years. I have an accounting background, graduating from Bentley College, and am very detail-oriented. When I knew I was ready to transition out of owning such a demanding business as Dennis’ Pizza, I got my appraiser’s license as it was something I could do part-time on my own schedule while still running Dennis’. Along the way I met Scott Balfour. When I was ready to sell Dennis’ I listed it with him, and it was a very smooth, professional transaction. I was impressed, and he encouraged me to get my real estate license. The rest is history!

What type of car do you drive?

A 2015 4-door Chevy Truck

What items are in your car?

Living where I do, preparation is everything! I always carry a flashlight, raingear, and my camera. I also keep a 100-ft tape measure, screw gun, stakes, and extra signs and sign riders with me.

What paperwork do you have with you at all times?

My briefcase is always with me which has all the required disclosure forms, listing agreements, as well as my business cards, and a bio sheet for more info about me.

How many business cards do you hand out in the course of a week?

Less than I used to as so much business is just done electronically these days, but I still hand out 10 or so every week.

Do you attend formal networking events? How do you get out and build your business?

I do. I think it’s really important to get out into the community and talk to people. How else do you really know what’s going on with businesses? I attend monthly Business After Hours events, and I’m a member of the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Gardiner Maine Street program.

What technology could you not live without? Do you have a favorite App that helps you with your business?

My smart phone! It really does everything I need by way of communication, paperwork, and research when I’m out of the office.

One of my favorite apps is Trello. I use it to keep listings and projects organized with my office assistant, Trent, so we know what each other is doing at any time, no matter where I am.

How many miles do you travel in your car in a week? What is the farthest you have travelled to list or show a property?

I put a good 400 – 500 miles a week on my truck, last year I recorded 20,000 miles.

I’ve gone to the Rangeley area a few times, and although I’m in the Gardiner/Central Maine area, I travel to Portland at least once a week to be at the main office.

How many phone calls, emails and text messages do you receive daily?

You have to stay in communication constantly in this business, so between clients, other brokers, and the other professionals involved in transactions, I have 30-40 phone calls a day, and about the same number of emails and texts. It’s a busy business!

What’s your area of specialty or expertise, geographic territory, and why did you choose it?

My area of expertise is the Central Maine market, particularly the Augusta-Gardiner area. Having lived in the area so long, raised my family here, owned a local business for 30 years, I know so many business people in the area, as well members of the community. It’s great to work close to home, where I know the area and the needs of businesses so well.

What is the most important personal attribute that you bring to your job?

As they say, it takes a long time to build a reputation, and only a short time to lose it. I believe I bring honesty, sincerity, and integrity to my relationships with all the people I work with. I’ve had a lot of clients say to me, “thank you for being so honest with me”, and I take that as a big compliment. I want what is best for them, and I won’t just go along with them to sell something.

After being a business owner and entrepreneur for so many years, I don’t think of myself as just a broker, or just a salesperson, because I’ve faced the same challenges. Whether it’s staffing, or cashflow, or how to go about selling a business. I just feel I can have discussions at a different level with clients. We speak the same language because I’ve been where they are.

What are you most excited about in relation to your job this year?

I’m a Tier 3 Broker at MB, and I’ve been asked to be on the Leadership Team. I greatly enjoy being part of helping the company move forward, setting growth strategy, team building, mentoring newer brokers. I enjoy looking at the bigger picture, not just my own listings, but what is on the horizon for Magnusson Balfour.

What’s the greatest bit of advice a parent or mentor has given you?

My parents were my first mentors, and they always told me to follow the ‘golden rule’ – be honest, work hard, stand by your word and do what you say you are going to do. That’s still good advice in my mind.

What is a professional development goal you have for this year?

I consistently take courses on investing, business turnaround strategies, and courses from the International Business Brokers Association. I’m getting ready to advance my license to full Broker designation as well.

How do you prefer to relax after a tough day in real estate?

I love being home with my family. My boys are grown, but my wife and I enjoy relaxing together, taking walks with our dog, Bella, and I love to be in the outdoors hunting and fishing.