LEWISTON – Crews should begin demolition Monday on the FHP Engine Services building at the corner of Lisbon and Maple streets.
That’s the first step in the planned construction of Oxford Networks’ new downtown Lewiston office building.
Workers finished removing asbestos from the building on Tuesday, said City Budget and Purchasing Director Norm Beauparlant.
“They still need to get the permits and sign-offs from the utilities, but they’re just about ready to go,” Beauparlant said.
The city bought the 495 Lisbon St. shop from owner Richard Lepage last month for $265,000.
Oxford Networks’ office building will go in its place. Beauparlant said the city also needs to demolish the most southern 60 feet of the neighboring warehouse building.
Crews were still removing asbestos from that building and expect to begin demolition in the last week of September.
A 140-foot section of the warehouse will remain to become a new office building, according to plans. The most northern 200 feet will be torn down to make room for a new city parking garage.
“They need to go in and cut that building in two and really separate it from the other part,” Beauparlant said. “Then they need to reinforce the part that’s staying.”
City and business leaders unveiled their plan to revamp the city’s southern gateway along Lisbon Street in May.
According to plans, the city and developers Stanley Sklar of the Franklin Property Trust and businesses Oxford Networks and Northeast Bank will redevelop the block of buildings surrounded by Lisbon, Maple and Canal streets.
Plans call for three new office buildings, new sidewalks, buried utilities and a parking garage.
The deal would bring between 200 and 300 jobs and could be complete within three years.
Negotiations are continuing for the other properties in the area, according to Economic and Community Development Director Jim Andrews.
He will continue to meet with the owners of Nadeau’s Garage at 400 Canal St., the Lincoln Street Radiator Shop at 500 Canal St. and the apartment building at 482 Canal St.
“We’re concentrating on the corner properties right now, so Lincoln Street Radiator should be the next one to come through,” Andrews said.
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