Last tenants fill Phoenix/Riverpark

AUBURN – Gritty’s Brew Pub should have new neighbors soon.

The second and third stories in the building at 72 Main St. have been leased to two new tenants, according to Daren Hebold, a broker for Ram Harnden commercial real estate. The leases bring the Phoenix/Riverpark project, which has had significant public financing, to full occupancy.

Taking 1,700 square feet of space will be Bluewater Energy Solutions, an alternative power and energy consulting firm from Waterville, and leasing 700 square feet is Canusa Corp., sales agents for paper mill products.

“The build-out is under way,” said Hebold. “We expect they’ll move in in three to four weeks.”

Kyle Michael, northeast regional manager for Bluewater, said Auburn seemed an ideal location for his company, which provides concept engineering for clients who want to optimize energy efficiencies.

“We have a group of us working out of an office in Waterville and another group working out of Portland,” Michael said. “We were looking for a more central location as we grow. Auburn seemed the right fit.”

He said the proximity to several clients – including Safe Handling on Rodman Road – was a boon.

“And the site is beautiful,” he said of the office suite, which overlooks the Androscoggin River.

The building at Main and Court streets has been a cornerstone in the city’s downtown revitalization. It and the adjacent building at 86 Main St. were sold to American Holdings, a Naples-based development company, in 2004. Since then the buildings have undergone extensive renovations, backed by city and regional economic development loans that total more than $1 million.

“This is great news, that it is fully rented,” said John Cleveland, executive director of the Maine Rural Development Authority, which loaned American Holdings $500,000 for the project. “Not just for the project’s sake, but for bringing new neighbors and new businesses to the downtown area.”

Cleveland said American Holdings is in good shape to repay its loan by 2009, the five-year cap under which the MRDA operates.

Roland Miller, economic development chief for the city, echoed Cleveland’s sentiments. The city loaned American Holdings about $400,000, after initial cost estimates for the project ballooned.

City councilors, eager to renovate what had been a dilapidated gateway to the city, approved the money. Additional loans were secured from Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments and the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council.

“This is definitely good news. It’s the final piece to complete that location,” Miller said.

He said American Holdings had some trouble staying on time with its loan payments because of delays with the project, but succeeded in working out a payment plan.

“This (announcement) makes it even better,” he said.

The project got its biggest boost in January 2005 when Richard Pfeffer announced Gritty’s Brew Pub would open at that location. Larry Jackson, general manager for Canusa Corp.’s North American operations, said having Gritty’s as a neighbor was a great incentive for that location.

“I asked if they would put a tap in my office,” he joked. Canusa’s corporate headquarters is in Baltimore. The company reports sales of $300 million.

Jackson and two of his associates will be leaving temporary space on Center Street to move into 72 Main St.

“We’re very excited; the river view is fantastic and we love the downtown area,” said Jackson, who grew up near Gulf Island Dam.

Michael said the Auburn location will function as the new northeast regional office for Bluewater, which is based in Atlanta. About 10 people are expected to work from downtown Auburn. The firm has about 150 field specialists all over the world helping clients solve energy-related problems, he said.