LEWISTON — A plan to develop the former Martel Elementary School property into a senior housing complex is back on the table, with Lewiston Housing again taking the reins on the project.
The City Council directed the city administration Tuesday to work with Lewiston Housing on a purchase and sale agreement for the former school building after months of debate and negotiations over the future of the city-owned site.
Chris Kilmurry, executive director of Lewiston Housing, said once the city agrees to a sale, the building would be demolished within four months, with construction slated to begin next year. The timeline — and the scope of the project over the next several years — would depend, however, on the amount of funding secured through state low-income housing tax credits, which are awarded to a select number of projects annually.
The former Martel Elementary School at the corner of Lisbon Street and East Avenue in Lewiston, seen in February, would be demolished and replaced with up to 144 units of senior housing under a proposal by Lewiston Housing. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal file
Kilmurry said the plan is to begin with a 36-unit building and, depending on the level of funding, add additional buildings in subsequent years. He said that could eventually mean four buildings — equaling 144 units — or fewer buildings with more units.
“The lot location and size is far better suited for additional units being added, which we felt would only have positive impacts on the community and surrounding businesses,” Kilmurry said in a presentation.
The property will likely be sold to Lewiston Housing for $1, but Lewiston Housing would use its own funds toward demolition, which is estimated to cost between $300,000 and $400,000. The total project is expected to cost $10.8 million.
During the discussion, city councilors said they were pleased with the relatively quick timeline proposed by Kilmurry. The timetable had previously been a sticking point among the council, which had initially opted to pursue a development by Dave Gendron.
That decision led to weeks of debate over what conversations took place out of the public view, and how best to address the pressing need for senior housing in Lewiston.
While the City Council agreed Tuesday on the basic proposal by Lewiston Housing, there was debate over the amount of green space that could be maintained on the property, and how to ensure Lewiston residents will live there.
When asked, Kilmurry said fair housing laws prohibit Lewiston Housing from selecting only Lewiston residents as tenants, but he said “by nature,” it will be a majority of local people who get in. The selections are based on separate waiting lists for both Section 8 and low-income tax credit units. He said the waiting list for affordable units now includes 1,600 people.
Several members of the public spoke during public comment in favor of the proposal. One resident said the “situation is dire” for many seniors.
Councilor Linda Scott said that while she is in favor of the project, she does not want it to look like “a warehouse space without green space.” Kilmurry said even with four buildings on the site, there is room for adequate green space.
Mayor Carl Sheline said he would rather “prioritize units than picnic tables that go unused” half the year due to Maine weather.
Councilor Rick LaChapelle said he was “saddened” by the weeks of discussion prior to Tuesday, with “misconception that the council didn’t want senior housing.” He said the council ultimately got a proposal with a more accelerated timeline
“We took three months of everyone screaming and put in the press that everybody’s bad people,” LaChapelle said, “and we’re ultimately sitting down now and saying within a year we’ll have a building in the ground.”
“Last night was a win for Lewiston seniors and affordable housing,” Sheline said Wednesday. “I appreciate Director Kilmurry’s presentation, and the council’s decision to move forward with the project.”
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