Acorn Engineering

Earlier this summer the Acorn team was proud to attend the “topping off” ceremony for Bellwether in Bayside. In addition to setting the final beam, the broom represents a clean sweep with no major incidents and a point of pride for all those involved in the construction process. When completed, this Avesta Housing and Reveler Development project will transform a parking lot into 201 affordable housing units with two ground level commercial spaces.

We look forward to seeing the building and site advancing to completion in 2027!

This summer the Acorn Landscape Design Team had the pleasure of working with Coffee and Bakery, one of our favorite coffee shops and bakeries in Portland, to revamp their planting and outdoor space. Updated planters to fit over recently placed barriers and native plantings helped to make the space more inviting...so much so that we couldn’t help ourselves from stopping by for a quick break with a very willing model!

Carpentry by Dave Gow. Murals by Jenny McGee.

Last month, Acorn Engineering, on behalf of High Peaks Alliance, received final Planning Board approval for the Sandy River Bridge in Farmington, Maine.

This new 340-foot multi-use bridge will reconnect the Whistle Stop Trail to downtown Farmington, creating a safe and accessible crossing for pedestrians and snowmobilers while strengthening connections between western Maine's outdoor recreation network and the local business community. The bridge will ultimately be owned and managed by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands as part of the Whistle Stop Trail system.

Led by High Peaks Alliance in partnership with the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands and numerous community stakeholders, the project represents nearly two decades of planning, collaboration, and advocacy. Beyond improving recreation and trail access, the bridge is expected to support economic activity by attracting additional trail users and visitors to downtown Farmington.

Acorn is providing site/civil engineering design and permitting services in collaboration with Flycatcher LLC, while Thornton Tomasetti is providing structural engineering services in support of the local approval process. GEI Consultants, Inc. provided the preliminary H&H and geotechnical analysis. Credit to Richardson & Associates for the provided renderings of the bridge.

We're proud to be part of a project that will enhance outdoor access, community connectivity, and economic vitality in the region. Congratulations to High Peaks Alliance, the Bureau of Parks and Lands, the Town of Farmington, and the many partners who have helped move this project forward.

We are moving mountains in Western Maine!

A major milestone for workforce housing in the Carrabassett Valley: Western Maine Mountain Housing (WMMH) and Acorn recently received final Planning Board approval for a 54-unit subdivision project located approximately one mile north of the Sugarloaf Access Road along Route 27. The subdivision will include a mix of multi-family units, duplex buildings, and single family homes all designed by Gawron Turgeon Dillon Architects.

As one of the region's most important workforce housing initiatives, this approval marks a significant step forward in helping address housing needs in Western Maine. Acorn is proud to have supported the project through site design and permitting and looks forward to the next phases as WMMH continues its fundraising efforts.

Leading with our heart – to a bigger stadium!

The Portland Hearts of Pine have officially announced plans for building their own stadium in Portland. Acorn is proud to be working on the civil/site planning and permitting for the project. It is an honor for us to play even a small part in bringing this team and this movement to Maine and we look forward to making their dreams a reality.

It will be a few years until fans can enjoy the new stadium so we will keep cheering along the sidelines at Fitzpatrick Stadium in the meantime. Up the Hearts!

A few Acorns had the opportunity to attend Portland Greendrinks with The Island Institute last month.

Acorn is currently collaborating with The Island Institute on a public workshop focused on coastal upland design on Great Diamond Island, making the event a great opportunity to connect with others who care about supporting Maine's coast and communities.

While at the event attendees to describe Maine's coast in just three words. Can you spot the Acorn entries among the responses?

https://youtu.be/gGK1NQP18VA?si=4si8_csnT4_uVnfM

Describe Maine's Coast in 3 Words Describe Maine's Coast in 3 Words | Island InstituteAt a recent e...

The sun is rising on more housing in Portland!

Last month, the Portland Planning Board approved The Dawn, a new 33-unit Home for Good community that will provide permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. Named in honor of Dawn Wade, one of the first residents of the Huston Commons Home for Good property, The Dawn celebrates a woman who spent her life advocating for others to have what she found: another chance at life, people to love, delicious food, and a place to call home.

This project reflects the combined efforts of Acorn’s Landscape Studio and Civil Engineering design team, who worked together to provide a functional, safe, and welcoming site layout. Special thanks to Simons Architects for their collaboration and visioning, and to Avesta Housing for once again trusting us with an important project.

We look forward to seeing The Dawn become a reality and welcoming future residents home.

The goal of our Hearts of Pine sponsorship and partner ticketing program is to build community and it is so inspiring to see it all come together. Up the Hearts!

Every now and then, you get the chance to help something truly special take root....

Our love for the Portland Hearts of Pine runs deep. Over six years ago Will Savage met with Gabe Hoffman-Johnson to discuss bringing a USL League One to Portland. His vision was bold and his community driven mindset infectious.

Over the years, Acorn has had the opportunity to play a small part in helping bring that vision to life. Today, we're not just supporters of the project—we're proud fans of the club. The Acorn team from far and wide got together earlier this summer and it was a magical night behind the goal and beside the Dirigo Union supporters. We can’t wait to be back next year!

Up the Hearts!

Acorn's Survey and Civil teams are collaborating to bring your project to new heights. Here they are at Height of the Land off Route 17 taking a pit stop on the way to a civil/survey project in Rangeley – and honestly, they are making us all a little jealous!

Workdays aren’t all bad especially ones where you get to take in scenery like this…