The following is from an article that appeared in The Cape Courier January 19, 2002. It was printed as a three part series and is reproduced in its entirety courtesy of The Cape Courier.

Everyone loves Fort Williams Park, but few Cape residents today realize how close the town came to losing that property forever. The controversy began the moment the land was purchased by the town on Dec. 1, 1964.

Former Town Council member Nancy Masterton documented the history of the town's struggle over the use of the 90-acre parcel in a 1990 document, "From Fort To Park." Her report was uncovered by Evan Roth while researching the records room at the Thomas Memorial Library. This is the first in a three-part series of edited excerpts from Masterton's essay. It provides a fascinating look at the bumpy road which resulted in transforming the fort to the park.

Part I: Should Fort Williams be a college campus or an urban renewal project

By Nancy Masterton
[Edited and excerpted by Evan Roth with help from the C.E. Historical Pres. Society]

A gem. A jewel. A treasure. A valued resource. That is how people describe Fort Williams, whether they are residents of Cape Elizabeth, the Greater Portland region, the state of Maine, the nation, or the international community. The former military installation has been transformed into a park, but the transition was neither quick nor easy. In fact, there were discouraging moments when some might have described the fort property as a disaster area, a millstone around the town' s neck, an albatross.

During years of grappling with the question of how to use this magnificent acquisition, the town has addressed problems of safety and security of the 144 buildings and military fixtures. Most perplexing was the cost of maintaining what was surely to be entirely or partially a park area. Should the town sell off or lease a portion of the fort in order to generate tax revenue to balance the costs? Should development in the fort be residential, commercial, or educational? Should the park be free and open to all, or only to Cape residents?

While addressing these questions, momentous changes were taking place in Cape Elizabeth. Our form of government changed to a council-manager system from the previous selectman-manager-town meeting form of government. An expensive sewer system was installed in the northern part of town. The question of whether to build a new junior high or high school was resolved by the construction of a $4 million high school. It was a time of growth, conflicting views and lively citizen participation.

Town to U. of Maine: should Fort Williams be a college campus?

When the town learned in 1963 that Fort Williams was to be sold as surplus property by the Department of Defense, town officials announced their interest in acquiring it for educational and recreational purposes. In those halcyon days of the Great Society, when federal grants were flowing generously, a federal grant program allowed a discount from between 40 to 100% discount on appraisal on purchase of federal land for educational purposes. In an attempt to qualify for grant money, the town made an overture to the University of Maine to locate its Portland branch at the fort. But John Blake, associate director of Continuing Education, said that "as far as he knew," the University of Maine trustees aren't interested in the site, believing it doesn't tie in well with the in-town function of the Portland branch.

At roughly the same time, the Cape Elizabeth School Study Committee was considering the necessity of a new school. It was the first of the town departments "to be given a chance to express its wishes in relation to plans for the use of the 90-acre property…" After touring the site, the School Planning Committee rejected the idea. They decided that the existing Pond Cove campus was preferable, since it was more central and already had a heating complex, sewer, and the necessary utilities.

Next up: turning Fort Williams into an urban renewal project

In January, 1965, Robert W. Smith suggested in a letter to Selectman William H. Jordan that the Cape form an Urban renewal Authority (URA). The idea caught on with the Fort Planning Committee which recommended in March, to the town fathers, that a special town meeting be held to authorize the agency. In June, 1965, the Town voted favorably on the URA concept. A URA was appointed by the selectmen, with Smith as Chairman. The Fort Williams Planning Committee was dissolved and under federal regulations, a Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), was established in July, 1965.

Chairman Smith described Fort Williams as a "unique case in urban renewal. The federal people view this quite enthusiastically as a pilot type project." The Fort was the second deactivated military installation being considered for urban renewal. The program was a vehicle for application for federal assistance for professional planning for a blighted area which the municipality would upgrade.

In October, 1965 the town applied to the Housing and Home Finance Agency for a grant of $140,424 for planning. A consulting firm estimated that the net cost of developing the Fort would be $1.898 million after sale of 70 of the 92.5 acres. The federal share would amount to $1,423,500; the town's share is $475,500, minus the $200,000 purchase price. Smith explained that "the draft application envisions redevelopment that would be predominantly residential but providing for limited commercial purposes." On September 31, 1966, then-Senator Muskie announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development had approved the Cape's grant, and planning began, with the firm of Candeeb, Flessig, Adley and Associates as consultants.

Rejecting urban renewal

At last, in February of 1970, the town received word that HUD had approved Phase I of the URA plan: 73 buildings would be demolished and 28.9 acres would be devoted to planned residential unit development, including townhouses, garden apartments and medium-rise apartment buildings. Other uses would be 6.2 acres for convenience retail and office, 3.3 acres for restaurant and recreational, 6.7 acres for year-round community, 47.4 acres for a public park, and a new loop road.

But at a public hearing on March 3, 1970, it became apparent that there was a growing concern in the town regarding the URA plan. One week later, the Council turned down the URA plan, 4-3, reflecting the deep divisions. Four of the five members of the Authority resigned. Of the debacle, Robie Liscomb said, "Speaking personally, I can only say that I feel a great compassion for whatever group is now charged with planning the future of the Fort… I implore the citizens of Cape Elizabeth to take immediate steps to minimize the ever growing social problem which the Fort represents. In its present derelict condition it is an open invitation to tragedy."

The town went back to the drawing board

From a 1970 Urban Renewal Authority brochure describing the Fort Williams project.

Explanation of Proposed Land Uses Planned Residential Unit Development ‹ 28.9 acres for town houses, garden apartments and medium rise apartment buildings with extensive open space, landscaping and off-street parking areas.

Neighborhood Commercial — 6.2 acres for convenience-type retail area and office park for business and professional use

Special Commercial — 3.3 acres for a restaurant and recreational facility. 6.7 acres for year-round community use utilizing the rehabilitated theater and non-commisioned Officer's Club buildings.

Public & Recreation (includes waterfront area) — 47.4 acres for public use as a municipal park for recreational and athletic purposes.

Roads and Utilities — A new 36-ft loop road with sanitary sewers, storm drainage system, water and utilities.

Courtesy of Nancy Masterton

Continue to Part 2