HOF Waterville

The Head of Falls Village proposal is a bold reimagining of one of Waterville’s most significant yet underutilized urban landscapes—transforming the former industrial lands at the edge of the Kennebec River into a thriving, inclusive, and ecologically connected village. Anchored by a strong vision from Aceto Kimball Landscape Architecture (AKLA) and designed in collaboration with Kaplan Thompson Architects, the project aims to reknit the downtown core to its historic riverfront while creating a resilient, community-centered model for urban development in regional New England cities. With deep roots in Maine and a practice grounded in place-based ecological design, AKLA brings a landscape-first urban vision to the project—one that prioritizes public space, natural systems, and human experience as the foundation of lasting civic life. AKLA’s approach places the public realm at the heart of the master plan. A layered network of streetscapes, plazas, green corridors, and parkland sets the stage for a walkable, welcoming village, ensuring that the outdoors is not an afterthought—but a central organizing element of the neighborhood.