Boothbay Region Greenhouses was sold Jan. 31. The new owner is Squirrel Island Village Corp. Rob Hopkins is the corporation’s island manager. He confirmed on Feb. 24 the corporation bought the property which will be used for parking. 

This will be the corporation’s second parking spot in Boothbay Harbor. The former greenhouse lot will join one on Atlantic Avenue by the footbridge and Harbor Inn. That lot has about 81 spots, Hopkins said. He estimated the greenhouse property on Western Avenue will hold at least 50 parking spots with a maximum of nearly 70. Conley’s Garden Center and Landscaping removed the greenhouse’s piping, railing and plastic in February, Hopkins said. 

The corporation does not plan to retain the house or adjacent flower shop. The corporation is waiting for a permit from the Boothbay Harbor code enforcement office to have Conley’s remove the greenhouses. “We think this may be an attractive home or home business. There is not much more I can say because it requires planning board approval,” Hopkins said. 

The corporation has searched for available parking for years. Hopkins told Squirrel Island residents, the greenhouse was a prime location for their needs. “I promoted this to our islanders,” he said. “This is walking distance to the ferry service with a house. I don’t think a spot like this will ever be available again.”

Hopkins explained Squirrel Island has 106 cottages. Residents pay $300 per year for current parking spaces. “That may increase, and we’re having conversations about it,” he said.