ROCKLAND, Maine — The former MacDougal School property is being eyed by Penquis for a possible affordable housing development.
The approximately 5-acre property has been eyed by various organizations over the years since the school closed in 2010. Last year, Pen Bay Healthcare contacted the city about whether the land would be available for a possible health clinic. Also last year, the Rockland Energy Advisory Committee recommended that several sites including the former MacDougal property be studied for possible use as a solar panel farm.
Jason Bird, the housing director for Penquis, sent a letter March 25 to the city council in which he said the lack of affordable housing in Rockland was both an economic and community development concern. He said businesses have a difficult time attracting employees because of the lack of affordable housing and the high cost of living.
“Furthermore, younger adults drawn to Rockland for its vibrant downtown and the city’s arts and culture scene are unable to afford its rental options due to the city’s recent economic growth,” Bird said.
Earlier this year, Bird said Penquis was looking to develop 25 to 30 affordable rental units in Rockland.
The letter is on the council’s agenda-setting meeting scheduled for Monday evening. Bird asked if the city could find a way to lift the deed restriction on the property.
The MacDougal School property was put together in 1923 by the Rockland Community and School Improvement Association Inc. as a community park and donated to the city in 1931 with the stipulation that the land be used for educational or recreational uses. Rockland, in turn, gave the property to the Rockland School District in 1953. The school district built the North School on the site in 1954. It was renamed the MacDougal School in the 1990s.
The city demolished the building in November 2012.
Assistant City Manager Audra Caler-Bell said that the city would have to ask the Maine attorney general if the deed restrictions can be removed to allow the land to be used for other purposes.
At the Monday night meeting, the council also will consider changing its ordinance on the disposition of city-acquired properties. City Manager James Chaousis said one option being examined is whether the city could consider economic development in the transfer of the property. This stems from talks with Habitat for Humanity, he said.
The city acquired the former Shafter junkyard on Rockland Street last month for nonpayment of taxes. An item being put on the council’s April 11 agenda is for the demolition of buildings on the property. The clearing of the property could make the nearly half-acre parcel available for housing.