LEWISTON – Members of the Maine People’s Alliance and the Visible Community plan to protest Thursday the planned demolition of the Ritz Cafe.
The 39 Maple St. building was purchased by the city over the summer and is slated to be razed, as officials say it would be too costly to save the dilapidated building.
Protesters plan to carry signs and chant in a 1 p.m. demonstration.
The city might have tried harder to find a buyer, perhaps encouraging a sale by offering help to renovate the building, said Jake Grindle, an organizer with both groups.
The city paid owner Roland Doucette $275,000 for the property.
“It’s probably too late to stop the demolition,” Grindle said.
The building was occupied by the Ritz Cafe, a downtown bar; Patty’s Place, a ceramics shop; and six people living in the 10 apartment units.
– Daniel Hartill
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