PORTLAND (AP) – A $250 million arena-office-hotel complex proposed for downtown Portland is dead.

The development won’t move forward without legislation that would allow for public financing of convention and civic centers in Maine, the project developer said.

Joe Boulos said an option agreement between him and the landowner was based on Maine lawmakers passing legislation to allow meals and lodging or local-option taxes for major tourism projects. When the Legislature adjourned early Saturday without taking action, Boulos’ purchase option expired on the 6.5-acre tract of land near Portland City Hall.

The complex, which was named Lincoln Center, would have included a 10,000-seat arena, a 250-room hotel, a 17-story office building, a 141,000-square-foot convention center and a 1,700-car parking garage. Boulos planned to build the office tower with private money, but said he said he needed public help to complete the arena and convention center.

The odds had been running against the development since April, when Gov. John Baldacci unveiled a tax-reform package that excluded legislation to allow meals and lodging or local-option taxes for tourism projects.

Baldacci had initially expressed support for the concept. But the plan ran into opposition from much of the tourism industry, which worried that any new tax would discourage visitor spending.

The legislative proposal also lacked broad political backing, especially among Republicans, leading Baldacci to temper his enthusiasm.

The inability to get Lincoln Center off the ground was disappointing to Godfrey Wood, chief executive officer of the Portland Regional Chamber. Portland’s inability to develop a modern convention and civic center steers conferences and events to other cities, such as Manchester, N.H., and Hartford, Conn., he said.

“It’s an opportunity lost,” Wood said. “We continue to lose market share in the tourism industry.”

Boulos said he has no regrets about putting forth the proposal, but he expressed frustration with the political process and lamented what he called a lack of leadership and vision in the Legislature.

“I wish state government would stop focusing on how to keep the lights on and focus on the future of Maine,” he said.