M&R Development breaks ground on The Dash - a 51-unit project in Freeport, ME

Freeport, ME M&R Development, a multidisciplinary development firm, has broken ground on The Dash, a 51-unit housing project on the corner of Depot and Mill Sts., one block from Main St. Occupying a former parking lot, the three-story building will offer studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments and 51 parking spaces. The building will be designed to reflect the look and feel of historic downtown and is named after a warship built in town in 1813, The Dash. This is the first of two new housing projects slated to bring new vitality to the village by energizing the residential and business communities.

“This project successfully represents years of strong public engagement, proactive municipal action, and thoughtful planning,” said Joanna Benoit, chair, Freeport town council. “The town has addressed zoning and removed barriers to address the housing crisis, provide homes for people to live and work in town, strengthen our local economy, and protect the rural character of Freeport that we all cherish.” 

In 2021, vacancy rates in Freeport Village reached over 12%, the highest since the Great Recession. The village is now home to 300 people, a drastic drop from the 1,500 who once called the village home. In response, the town updated its Comprehensive Plan (2025) and its Downtown Vision Report (2021) to guide development. The town identified Depot St. as a key area for housing development and implemented high-density zoning to reintroduce a robust residential population to fuel economic stability and growth.

“Businesses need residents living nearby to shop, fill open jobs, and create the vibrancy needed to attract others to the area,” said Patrick Woodcock, CEO, Maine State Chamber of Commerce. “Freeport has successfully demonstrated how a Maine community can grow sustainably without losing its character or charm. The town’s community-driven plan offers a clear roadmap to foster economic vitality and build an even stronger community, and I applaud Freeport for recognizing that housing is an essential ingredient for success.”

Crepe Elizabeth, a new business in town, opened a brick and mortar on Mill St. after following the years-long planning process. “I am here because of Freeport’s commitment to adapt to remain strong and viable amid a changing retail landscape. In just a few months I can feel a shift in momentum, and it is exciting,” said business owner Dawn Miller. 

“We know downtowns need people to remain vibrant, and we are excited to deliver that to historic Freeport,” said Dan Bacon, director of development at M&R, and a local resident. 

“It has been a very positive experience working with the town. Leadership knows what the community wants and needs, so it was easy for us to be successful as developers.” 

The Dash marks M&R Development’s 8^th housing development project since 2015, with its 9^th breaking ground in Windham soon. 

Over the last decade, M&R has responded to Maine’s housing shortage, building 1,200+ housing units in Cumberland County. The company is most notably recognized for The Downs, a 577-acres in Scarborough, one of the state’s largest mixed-use redevelopment projects in state history. That project has become home to 50+ businesses, 700 housing units, and Maine’s first new-construction Town Center.

In Freeport, first residents will move in Spring of 2027. 9