Saco police have closed their investigation into a fatal shooting at a hotel on Ocean Park Road after determining it was a suicide.

Police responded to the Rodeway Inn around 10 a.m. June 25 after a woman asked them to check on a man who lived there. The 27-year-old man was found with serious head wounds and taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where he later died.

Police did not release the man’s identity.

Police said they conducted extensive interviews with the man’s family members, hotel management and a tenant in an adjoining room as part of their investigation. The interviews and evidence collected at the hotel led them to conclude the man committed suicide and the investigation was closed.

RiverWalk project officials request bids

 A request for bids has been issued for the first stage of the Biddeford RiverWalk.

Biddeford City Planner Greg Tansley last week announced the start of the bidding process after the city received permits from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Saco River Corridor Commission.

The first phase of the project includes repair of a retaining wall by North Dam Mill and construction of the “Gateway Plaza” entrance to the RiverWalk in Biddeford. 

The RiverWalk will connect Biddeford and Saco and improve foot access to the train station in Saco. City officials have said the project will further economic development in the area.

Earlier this spring, the Quality Communities Program of the Maine Department of Transportation awarded initial funding for the design of the existing steam pipe bridge between Doug Sanford’s North Dam Mill and Kevin Mattson’s Mill on Saco Island. After the design is complete, the department of transportation is expected to release additional funding to construct the bridge in 2012. 

Grant adds to Old Orchard Beach skatepark fund

 Old Orchard Beach has received a grant for a new skate park.

The Maine Community Foundation awarded the town $3,000 from the Ollie Fund. The recreation department is working with a group of skaters and supporters to replace a skate park that was removed because it was in disrepair.

The project earlier this year received $5,000 from the Tony Hawk Foundation for the skate park. The town council has set aside $30,000 and supporters have raised $1,000 for the project, which Recreation Director Jason Webber estimates could cost more than $70,000.

Fundraising efforts are ongoing and there is no timeline for construction of the skate park.