LEWISTON – Floor Systems, one of the original tenants of the revamped Bates Mill complex, is moving to outer Lisbon Road into a new, larger facility.

Gill Veilleux, president of the flooring company, said he felt he had to move because expanding in the mill conflicted with the city’s redevelopment plans for the space.

“Property ownership was a requirement of our expansion plans, and the Bates Mill does not offer ownership opportunities,” said Veilleux.

The section of the mill occupied by Floor Systems is under contract for sale to Platz Associates for redevelopment; only leases are available. Floor Systems moved into the mill space in 1992, just after the city assumed ownership when the previous tenant abandoned the mill.

Peggy DeBlois, a spokeswoman for Floor Systems, said the company does about $5 million a year in retail sales and wanted to accommodate customers by providing easier parking and access. It also wanted a location that would allow better access for deliveries and truck traffic. The company has about 36 subcontractors who do installations, many for commercial and industrial customers.

Veilleux said he wanted to remain in Lewiston, but was unable to find a lot commercially zoned that would give him on-street visibility. Greg Mitchell, assistant city administrator, said he worked with Veilleux on finding an alternate site, but ultimately none was suitable.

“Gill was looking for a unique parcel for both warehouse and retail use,” he said. “We have very few parcels to accommodate that size and specialized use.”

“I’m very disappointed to see him go, but I understand,” Mitchell said.

The new Floor Systems will be located in Lisbon, next to the Furniture Superstore on Lisbon Road.

The building will measure 27,000 square feet, 3,000 square feet bigger than its current location. Floor Systems is the largest flooring store in northern New England. The additional space will be used for new lines of home merchandise, including upholstery fabrics, window treatments and natural stone- and solid-surface countertops.

“These home fashion areas have been requested by the customer more and more, especially since the addition of a design service at Floor Systems,” said Veilleux. “We need the space to display this merchandise for our customers, along with our area rug showroom, ceramic tile, wood, carpet and vinyl.”

Construction should begin this summer. Veilleux said he hopes to be in the new store by the end of the year. DeBlois said there are plans to hire five more employees to its existing staff of 16.

Founded in 1987, the store was on Knox Street before moving into the mill. It will operate from its mill location until the new store is ready.