By Scott Taylor,Staff Writer

LEWISTON – Community activists will take downtown Lewiston’s rumor mill head-on this weekend, going door-to-door to talk downtown development.

Volunteers from the Visible Community and the Maine People’s Alliance will canvas downtown neighborhoods, from Russell to Oxford streets, Friday, Monday and Tuesday, partly to quell rumors and partly to recruit new members.

“The rumor mill is very strong downtown and there’s a lot of misinformation being spread,” said Ben Chin, field director for the MPA. The main concern is a boulevard proposed in 2004 that would have gone through the middle of the neighborhood.

City councilors officially killed the road in June, but Chin said some neighbors are not convinced.

“Many have had bad dealings with the city before, and they think this is just one more way the city is out to get them,” Chin said. “The best way to attack that problem is to talk, one-on-one, with every person we can.”

The boulevard would have connected Lincoln and Bates streets. It angered community activists and neighbors, who said it would ruin the area.

A group of 20 volunteers will spread out through the area, trying to convince neighbors that the road is no longer possible. Chin said the MPA also hopes to get new members from their door-to-door conversations.

“Our mission it to involve as many people as possible in deciding their fate,” said MPA Field Manager Zac Chickering. “Downtown Lewiston seems a little neglected in that respect.”

A combination rally and news conference kicks off the effort at 2:30 p.m. Friday at the MPA’s Lisbon Street offices. Volunteers will wrap up their canvassing with a party at 6 p.m. at Maple Street Park.

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