Replacement of the wharf at the former Port Clyde General Store will be done this year, a Colby College executive has told the town.
The wharf, store, the Monhegan Boat Line building and the Dip Net Restaurant all were destroyed in a large fire that broke out in the St. George village of Port Clyde on Sept. 27, 2023.
Paul Ureneck, assistant vice president for real estate development and operations at Colby, submitted a letter to the town’s Select Board.
“I want to begin by acknowledging the gravity of what was lost in the tragic fire of September 2023. I deeply understand that the General Store was more than just a building; it was the heart of the village and a vital piece of Port Clyde’s history. As we move forward, we do so with immense respect for that legacy and a commitment to honoring the site’s importance to this community,” Ureneck said.
A primary goal of the redevelopment is to ensure that the “working” aspect of the waterfront remains intact, Ureneck said.
The redevelopment plan includes the continued use of the former wharf and fuel pumps that the local boating population depends on, he said, and Colby is actively working to maintain the seasonal rental operation of the moorings in the harbor.
Squid Ink Café will continue to operate under its current ownership. Additionally, The Barn (adjacent to the Seaside Inn) and the Dip Net food truck will both be open and continue to be operated this summer by Lexi Zable, the letter from the Colby executive stated.
The tentative schedule focuses on stabilizing the marine infrastructure before moving to the upland construction. Replacement of the wharf will begin in early summer and is projected to be completed by November.
Construction of the main building will begin in early spring 2027. The building on the site of the former general store will house a restaurant at the street level and offices for the Center for Resilience and Economic Impact, including a “gathering and collaborative space open to the community” above the restaurant.
Colby purchased the properties in November 2025 for $3,325,000.
“Following the transfer of ownership in November 2025, Colby College and the Northlight Foundation — led by long time Port Clyde residents Dan and Sheryl Tishman — have been working diligently to craft a plan that balances historical significance with a sustainable future. To ensure this project meets the highest standards of quality and sensitivity to the local landscape, we have assembled a premier team of partners,” he said
The architectural design will be done by Oak Point Associates, engineering by Gartley & Dorsky, and construction management by Wright-Ryan.
The letter from Colby was on the agenda for the Select Board’s Monday meeting.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.
