A concept image shows what 88 units would look like after completion of a second phase on the former Martel School site at 960 Lisbon St. in Lewiston. The sale of the property to Lewiston Housing is expected to close in the next 60 days, with construction on the first 44 units scheduled to begin in spring 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 phase of a lengthy and sometimes contentious effort to convert the property into senior living.
The City Council on Tuesday approved a final amended option agreement between the city and Lewiston Housing, which will purchase the property for redevelopment.
Officials said the title issue that had delayed the sale had been resolved and that an option agreement for the sale of the property would take effect on Wednesday.
According to Lincoln Jeffers, director of economic and community development, this means the parties have 60 days to complete the transaction.
Lewiston Housing officials said the ownership issue will not impact the construction schedule, with work on the first phase of 44 units scheduled to begin in spring 2025.
A City Council memo stated the problem stemmed from the deed for 860 Lisbon St., which contained restrictions limiting the use of the property to a school. The memo said the city and Lewiston Housing believed the issue was resolved, but signed an agreement Tuesday to share any potential costs that “may be necessary at some point in the future” to defend title to the property or obtain a court order that “the restrictions are met or otherwise no longer in effect.”
Some participants at Tuesday’s meeting described the problem as another in a series of delays in the senior living project.
Lewiston resident Matt Roy asked why “nobody bothered to read the property documents” when the Martel School property was transferred to the city in 2019.
“Where was the due diligence here?” he asked.
Louise Samson, who has been closely following talks about the redevelopment, said she did not understand the “nonsense” surrounding the sale but wondered whether it would delay construction.
“This is very important, we have to get this going,” she said.
On Wednesday, Mayor Carl Sheline said, “I am grateful to our staff and Lewiston Housing for solving these issues to get this project across the finish line. We need senior housing in our city and I am glad we are moving forward.”
The project is the first senior living facility in Lewiston in years, but it has been a long road to get to this point.
The city entered into a two-year option agreement with Lewiston Housing in 2020. However, due to uncertainty surrounding affordable housing development, the council ultimately decided to explore other options. Developer Dave Gendron expressed interest in commercial development, but many city officials and residents pushed for senior housing.
In spring 2023, Lewiston Housing was again commissioned to redevelop the property.
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