A concept image shows what 88 units would look like after a second phase is completed at the former Martel School property at 960 Lisbon St. in Lewiston. Sale of the property to Lewiston Housing is expected to be finalized in the next 60 days, with construction on the first 44 units to begin in the spring of 2025. City of Lewiston
LEWISTON — The sale of the former Martel School property on Lisbon Street will take place within the next 60 days, marking the final stages of a lengthy and sometimes controversial effort to redevelop the property into senior housing.
The City Council approved a final amended option agreement Tuesday between the city and Lewiston Housing, which is purchasing the property for redevelopment.
Officials said the issue with the property title, which slightly delayed the sale, had been resolved, and that an option agreement for the sale of the property will be exercised Wednesday.
According to Lincoln Jeffers, director of economic and community development, that means the parties have 60 days to complete the transaction.
Officials from Lewiston Housing said the title issue will not impact the construction schedule. Work on the first phase of 44 units is expected to begin in the spring of 2025.
A council memo indicated that the issue stemmed from the deed for 860 Lisbon St. containing restrictions limiting the use of the parcel to a school. The memo says the city and Lewiston Housing believe the issue has been resolved but signed an agreement Tuesday regarding the sharing of possible expenses that “could be necessary at some point in the future” to defend title to the premises or have a court order that “the restrictions are satisfied or otherwise no longer in effect.”
Some at the meeting Tuesday described the issue as another in a series of delays for the senior housing project.
Lewiston resident Matt Roy questioned why “no one bothered to read the deed documents” when the Martel School property was transferred to the city in 2019.
“Where was the due diligence on this?” he asked.
Louise Samson, who has been closely following the redevelopment talks, said she didn’t understand the “malarkey” surrounding the sale, but questioned whether the issue would delay construction.
“This is very important, we have to get this going,” she said.
On Wednesday, Mayor Carl Sheline said, “I appreciate our city staff and Lewiston Housing working through these issues to get this project across the finish line. We need senior housing in our city and I’m glad we’re moving forward.”
The development will mark the first new senior housing in Lewiston in years, but it has been a long road to reach this point.
The city entered into a two-year option agreement with Lewiston Housing in 2020. However, the council eventually decided to explore other options due to uncertainty around affordable housing development. Developer Dave Gendron expressed interest in a commercial development, but many city officials and residents pushed for senior housing.
In the spring of 2023, Lewiston Housing was again chosen to redevelop the property.