Houlton project ready for construction
6/5/09 | 3 comments

Houlton project ready for construction


By Jen Lynds
BDN Staff

HOULTON, Maine — More than a year after it was announced, construction on Market Square Commons likely will begin before the end of the month.

The Town Council was told at a recent meeting that a project to build an affordable-housing complex for seniors will begin after June 20.

John Egan, housing developer for Coastal Enterprises Inc., said the agency still intends to build the $2.5 million, three-story apartment complex.

The company announced in late 2007 that it would construct the complex in Market Square in the back of the Temple Theatre parking lot. The project gained approval from the municipal planning and zoning boards.

Then the economy tanked, and funding for the project was uncertain for a time.

Not anymore, Egan told councilors.

“The last financial hurdles have been cleared,” he said during the meeting. “Constructional closing is expected to happen from June 15 to 20, and construction should begin immediately after that.”

The project will create 28 units that will be rented to seniors who are in one- and two-person households.

Residents who meet eligibility standards will pay rents of $430-$575 a month, including all utilities, according to information provided by CEI.

Financing for the project will come from MaineHousing, which is an independent state agency that combines public and private housing funds, along with other sources, to benefit Maine’s low- and moderate-income residents. CEI will post a $600,000 financial commitment to the project.

An on-site services coordinator will assist in linking residents with local services and transportation. The housing is not intended for seniors with critical health care needs who would be better served in assisted-living or medium- to long-term health care facilities.

The complex, which will have a brick facade, will take approximately a year to construct.

Egan said he is “pretty sure everyone will like the property when it is finished.”

He added that the company enjoyed doing business in town.

“The community has been very welcoming and town officials have been great,” he said. “It has been very refreshing to do business here. I can’t wait for the next project.”

The building was set to open this fall, but now is scheduled to house residents sometime next year.

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3 comments on this item
On 6/5/09 at 1:49 PM, StJones wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

This is an exciting time for Houlton. I think the community will fully endorse and enjoy the use of this new building.

Shiretown.net - Aroostook County Discussions

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On 6/13/09 at 3:58 PM, munkyhunny210 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Yes cause this is all we need. More senior houseing,. How about stop driving the kids out of the town??? How about something for the kids to do...I wonder why there are so many kids drinking and doing drugs. CAUSE THERE IS NOTHING TO DO!!! Anythign anyone does, the cops get called. Don't you dare go climb a tree harmlessly, or well...that's about it. There needs to be some free entertainment for the kids who's parents don't have all kinds of money. There are to many senior in this town...waaaaay to many, and we wonder why no on sticks around anymore. It's turning into a retirement community. Houlton, the new Florida...just not as warm.

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On 6/14/09 at 4:10 AM, jdcraig1 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I agree munky, this is just what Houlton needs, another housing complex for the elderly. There isn't enough housing in Houlton solely for the elderly? I guess the one on Military st is full, so too must be the one on North RD. Same goes for the Bowdin St Complex. Theres even one less than a half mile from the Elementary School. Alice ST ring any bells?This isn't even counting the nursing homes scatterd on almost every street. Better yet, they're even going to put this one DOWNTOWN! This is the same town that would not allow a Roller Rink to be built inside town lines, because the kids would cause too much of a disturbance, and when someone finally opend a place down town for younger people to be, the cops were called every day. The store owner was harrassed so much he eventually closed the store. There are fewer and fewer stores downtown now any way. Most of two blocks is used by the Community Living Association, a group that works solely with the mentially handicapped. I guess the town isn't worried about business, as long as there is a place to put the ever climbing elderly, and mentially challanged populations. Most places i have visited have stores, shops, restraunts, and other various business downtown, but not Houlton. It's no wonder that the kids, teens, and young adults hate this town and can't wait to move. It just seems to me the town doesn't care if people stay after high school, as long as you come back to die. Welcome to Houlton. Gods waiting room. Where Florida goes in the summer.

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