Real estate transactions are notoriously time consuming. Just ask Avangrid Foundation Executive Director Nicole Licata Grant.

More than four years ago, the Foundation began the process of figuring out what to do with a 27-acre parcel of land it owned in Portland, ME. The Foundation was tasked with leveraging the property in a way to support the broader philanthropic work and started looking for a suitable partner.

There were opportunities to sell the land for commercial use – with discussions ranging from affordable housing, to light rail, to a for-profit homeless shelter and finally, a parking lot –  but Grant knew this was no ordinary parcel and needed the right new steward.

The land, with complicated but pristine terrain, is located along Rand Road in Portland, is adjacent to existing conservation land, connected to a network of trails and at the headwaters of the Fore River Sanctuary. It was only partially developable at best and was environmentally sensitive.

“All of the stakeholders ultimately determined that the way to do the most good for the most people was to preserve the property in perpetuity, for public use, but it took time and flexibility to figure that out” Grant said. The Foundation also knew that in doing so, they would be looking to donate the parcel rather than sell it. Grant says she is “grateful to the Board of the Foundation and partners throughout the corporation who supported this vision.”

After years of discussions with developers, local officials, activists, nonprofits and local business , The City of Portland emerged as a the most suitable partner, touching off more than a year of negotiations, public hearings and legal procedures to ensure that the acquisition was community informed and carried out in good faith. The hard work paid off last month when the Foundation transferred ownership to the city’s Land Bank Commission,  donating 85 percent of the appraised value of the parcel, or roughly $275,000.

The parcel will now be preserved in perpetuity for public use as the city’s largest remaining undeveloped piece of open land. There will be limited development to enable public access and enjoyment.

 “At the Avangrid Foundation, we look for unique opportunities to partner with our local communities and pursue our mission of environmental stewardship, and this was the perfect opportunity to do both,” Grant said. “We are so pleased to work with the City’s Land Bank Commission to provide this land for public use. We want to thank the Boulos Company and the Law Firm of Curtis Thaxter for the additional donation of time and services to bring it to fruition.”

The donation allows Portland to keep the parcel as protected open space.

“This is a big deal for Portland to be able to preserve this 27-acre parcel that helps the city accomplish so many goals at once – from preserving our existing tree canopy and habitat areas, to getting us closer to 100% of our residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park or trail, to creating outdoor recreation and exercise opportunities for walkers, bikers, students, commuters, and dog-walkers,” said Ethan Hipple, the City’s Director of Parks, Recreation & Facilities. “One hundred years from now, when Portland may have grown or changed so much, residents will be thankful that this gem of a property was set aside for the public to share and enjoy forever. The city of Portland and the Land Bank Commission want to thank the law firm of Jewell & Bulger for donating time and services to complete this transaction.”

Read more about the donation here.

Photo: digital art rendering of a portion of the Rand Road parcel.