Our mission: a more resilient Smith House

As we’ve discussed with our KBIA family, after years of service, it’s time to rebuild Smith House. KBIA needs a structure better able to withstand the increasing storm activity and rising tides as evidenced in 2024, to create a safer space for our kids in the event of rain and lightning, set further back from a busy Beach Avenue for safer egress, to provide more modular space where we can expand creative and craft instruction with better ventilation, lighting and windows. And we will do so without losing our historical perspective — our new Smith very much gives a nod to its historical charm but will be far more resilient.

What we need: ordinance amendment

We are seeking a simple change in current Town of Kennebunk ordinance that will allow us to proactively reconstruct in a more conforming location. Under current code, a building is stuck in place and can’t be rebuilt even to move it back from the water or better comply with floodplain guidelines unless it is destroyed by an act of nature / natural disaster or some other accidental cause.  Accordingly, we are asking for an ordinance amendment that would be added to the Nov. 3 ballot. The amendment would allow for voluntary reconstruction for coastal resiliency while allowing our building to remain grandfathered as it relates to other zoning issues such as property line setbacks. We think this is something the whole community can get behind, for Smith and for other coastal Kennebunk properties in general.