Washington County Development Authority reports brownfields work and new lease; committee includes WCDA in review letter
February 19, 2026 | 2026 Legislature ME, Maine
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Renee Gray, board chair of the Washington County Development Authority (WCDA), presented the authority’s annual report remotely on Feb. 9. WCDA oversees roughly 20 acres and five buildings at the former Naval Telecommunications Base in Cutler in far‑east Washington County.
Gray said the authority completed a brownfield remediation project for a recreation building and has initiated phase 1 and 2 brownfield assessments for the Administration Building. The authority entered into a lease for 14 acres and four buildings with developer Dana Morton, who has installed electricity, Wi‑Fi and security cameras and improved building occupancy and oversight.
Gray said the authority is volunteer‑run with limited staff and no paid employees and requested additional trustee appointments from the governor to expand capacity. She indicated WCDA hopes to obtain funding to remediate remaining hazards in order to enable housing redevelopment and to transfer property where possible to private developers.
Senator Curry asked whether the model of using a private developer under lease has been effective; Gray said the arrangement is working to stabilize buildings that had been vacant and vandalized for years. Committee members did not express opposition and the chair confirmed by voice straw poll that WCDA met review requirements and would be included in the committee letter.
Why it matters: WCDA’s brownfield work and developer leasing affect economic opportunity and housing prospects in a remote region of the state and demonstrate a small‑authority approach to redevelopment that depends on outside funding and local partnerships.
Next steps: The committee will include WCDA’s review finding in its letter; WCDA will continue to pursue remediation funding and trustee appointments.
Gray said the authority completed a brownfield remediation project for a recreation building and has initiated phase 1 and 2 brownfield assessments for the Administration Building. The authority entered into a lease for 14 acres and four buildings with developer Dana Morton, who has installed electricity, Wi‑Fi and security cameras and improved building occupancy and oversight.
Gray said the authority is volunteer‑run with limited staff and no paid employees and requested additional trustee appointments from the governor to expand capacity. She indicated WCDA hopes to obtain funding to remediate remaining hazards in order to enable housing redevelopment and to transfer property where possible to private developers.
Senator Curry asked whether the model of using a private developer under lease has been effective; Gray said the arrangement is working to stabilize buildings that had been vacant and vandalized for years. Committee members did not express opposition and the chair confirmed by voice straw poll that WCDA met review requirements and would be included in the committee letter.
Why it matters: WCDA’s brownfield work and developer leasing affect economic opportunity and housing prospects in a remote region of the state and demonstrate a small‑authority approach to redevelopment that depends on outside funding and local partnerships.
Next steps: The committee will include WCDA’s review finding in its letter; WCDA will continue to pursue remediation funding and trustee appointments.
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