LEWISTON – A plan to get the city out of Bates Mill is at least several weeks away, according to city officials.

Negotiations with Developer Tom Platz began last fall, according to Assistant City Administrator Greg Mitchell. Mitchell said he and City Administrator Jim Bennett have met with representatives from Platz Associates several times since then. They could have something to report as early as next month, Mitchell said.

“We’re trying to do this as quickly as possible,” Mitchell said. “There are a lot of issues to be settled. Once we reach a point where everyone feels comfortable, we will bring it before the council and get some public input.

The city continues to spend an estimated $800,000 per year managing the mill, according to Mitchell – mostly in the fall and the winter paying for heat in the complex.

“We have financial obligations to the mill’s tenants,” Mitchell said. “So we’re doing what we must to fulfill those obligations. But we are continuing to negotiate for a way out.”

Meanwhile, a plan to market the mill across the country is being kept on the shelf. The Lewiston Mill Redevelopment Corporation suspended a national marketing campaign in March, citing a slow national economy.

“Right now, it doesn’t look like a wise investment for the city, considering the economy,” Mitchell said. “That was too bad because a few more leads could make the complex more attractive in these negotiations.”

The city took over ownership of the property in lieu of back taxes in 1992, formed the LMRC to manage the buildings in 1997 and began working with Platz Associates to begin renovating the mills. The city has been renovating mill buildings and selling them to Platz Associates since then.

Platz and his partners have purchased mills 3, 6 and 7 from the city for $2 million and also reimbursed the city $3 million that it spent to rehabilitate Mill No. 3. Platz also committed $10 million to finish that mill and to improve Mill No. 6. The developers have options to purchase the remaining buildings, including Mill No. 5.

Bennett proposed last fall to transfer ownership of the mill to private developers. According to those plans, Platz would get control of all of the buildings except for Mill No. 5. The city would need to line up financial support from the state to build a convention and meeting complex there and look for regional support to run it.

Mitchell said Thursday he could not discuss any plans or details of the negotiations.

“It’s just too early to talk about the structure of any arrangements,” Mitchell said. “We are just simply negotiating and doing what we can.”

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