A new convention center proposed for the Bates Mill could make the Twin Cities a destination point.
AUBURN – Civic leaders of the Twin Cities laid out conceptual plans for a major convention center in Lewiston and a performing arts center in Auburn as they launched the “L-A – It’s Happening Here!” marketing campaign Saturday morning.
Presenters at LA Excels Community Conference III, held at Central Maine Technical College, outlined the multi-million dollar project visions based on what they described as solid research by marketing firms and local officials.
Chip Morrison, president of the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, explained what planners think could be done in development of a convention center at Lewiston’s Bates Mill No. 5. Beckie Conrad, retiring executive director of L/A Excels, described the vision for a Great Falls Performing Arts Center, including extensive renovation of the original Edward Little High School buildings at South Main, Academy and High streets in Auburn.
“Reusing Mill No.5 is anti-sprawl,” Morrison said as he made the case for the convention center project in the 380,000-square-foot former textile mill – an area larger than four football fields.
Morrison also said the center could contain space for several local museums, and he added that parking for 2,000 to 3,000 cars is available right next to the mill building.
The L-A area has many advantages that make development of a convention center attractive, Morrison emphasized. He listed passenger train service proposed for downtown L-A, better turnpike access at a new proposed exit, an intermodal passenger facility at the Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport, and the potential for a regional air carrier. L-A is now a hub for 500,000 people within a 30-mile radius, he said.
Too many travelers now bypass or drive right through the Twin Cities, Morrison said.
“Now is the time to get them to stop here.”
A convention center in Lewiston would support many events of a regional nature, Morrison said, noting that national conventions would likely still go to large cities.
Contacts already have been made with government, foundations and private investors, Morrison told the audience.
When Morrison opened the floor to audience questions, he was asked: “What’s the timeline and what’s needed to make this happen?”
“Financing will drive this,” he replied. He said development of specific plans and actual renovation work in the massive mill structure could begin almost immediately. The proposed project has an advantage over convention center ideas in other Maine cities because the structure is already standing.
Although a new hotel will open in Auburn in July, Morrison said more hotel space would be needed if the center is built. He said at least two national hotel chains have expressed interest in the plan’s development.
Responding to questions about development uses around the Bates Mill, Lewiston City Administrator Jim Bennett said the Lewiston City Council will consider designating a “creative development district” at its meeting Tuesday.
Greg Mitchell, Lewiston’s economic development director, said uses for the city-owned Libbey Mill structure are “open for discussion,” and he acknowledged that the property is “high profile” and its value would be enhanced by a convention center just across the street.
Conrad said possibilities for the Great Falls Performing Arts Center include traditional theater space that would seat 400 to 600 people. This is in the former ELHS auditorium space where Community Little Theatre has staged productions for many years.
A full-size rehearsal theater, including set construction shops, would be built into the plan, and a “black box” theater for experimental projects would be developed. “Black box” space is essentially an open room where seating, stage, lighting and other components can be set up and moved around to accommodate new ideas. Other parts of the 55,000-square-foot building would house youth programs and studio space for artists and musicians.
The concept also notes the possibility of an amphitheater behind the ELHS structure on land known as Moulton Field and once used as athletic practice fields. There also could be parking for 100 cars on the 8-acre property.
Some early estimates place the cost at $9.5 million. Several grant applications are already out, Conrad, remarking that “this is a grant-writer’s dream.”
The project’s evolution can take place in phases, Conrad said, and it will definitely be a collaborative venture.
In response to a question about lawn and park area from the buildings down to Main Street, Conrad said retaining that green space will be important. A consultant’s drawing showed possible residences for artists there, but she said that is not a certainty.
“We are very sincere about this being a neighborhood stabilization project,” Conrad said. Existing housing nearby should be attractive to the artistic community, she said, and there is no immediate need for additional housing.
Conrad emphasized that the funding options for an arts center are different from those for a convention center. She said most of the money would probably have to come from grants, foundations and government funding.
Kathy Leonard, president of Auburn Machinery Inc., narrated a multi-media presentation screened in the CMTC lecture hall to introduce the L-A marketing and image enhancement program (See Page B1). The Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council, Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce and the cities of Auburn and Lewiston are spearheading the campaign.
Auburn City Manager Patricia Finnigan welcomed participants and moderated parts of the conference program held at Central Maine Technical College. As the public input session concluded, Finnigan asked, “Are we on the right track?” The audience responded with hearty applause and cheers.
Only a couple of dozen members of the public attended the L/A Excels Community Conference III, and a few dozen more set up and staffed informational booths for various L-A organizations. Event organizers said sunny weather probably kept attendance low.
An outdoor barbecue lunch was served to everyone following the presentations at the CMTC gymnasium and lecture hall.
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