ROCKLAND — In the coming years, an estimated 4,000 extra square feet of display space at Sail Power and Steam Museum, in Rockland, may provide a permanent inside home to marine vessels of varying sizes, if the city agrees.

On Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 5:15 p.m., the Rockland Planning Board will hear a proposal by 2A Architects and its client, Museum owner Capt. Jim Sharp, regarding a proposed building to that would house artifact boats at Sharp’s Mechanic Street venue. This meeting was rescheduled after the initial Dec. 3 meeting was postponed due to inclement weather.

The project is estimated to cost approximately $700,000, and aims for a completion date of early 2021. 

The boat display building is proposed as a non-adjacent structure situated at the northwest corner of the Museum’s 16,319 square foot property, closest to the intersection of Mechanic Street and Snow Street (the driveway to the public landing at Snow Marine Park). 

It’s facade is to vary in multiple planes. The roofline is to alter in height, with the highest point peaking at 40 feet, which is 8 feet shorter than the maximum allowed by Rockland’s Land Use Code, but still higher than the existing museum structure, according to plans filed at the city hall.

According to the application, The highest ridge (the west ridge) of the new building would “provide the greatest flexibility in providing space for the boats to be stored in the building.” Smaller vessels would be stored in the more resticted areas.

Big doors and windows are proposed for the waterfront-zoned “marine-related educational institute,” as the facility is referred to in the application.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com