LEWISTON — New Beginnings will move from its Lisbon Street location into a building on College Street. When it might happen is not certain.

According to Bob Rowe, executive director of the center for runaway and homeless youths, the organization has purchased a building at 134 College St.

“Right now, we’re exploring with an architect what it will take for us to use it,” Rowe said Thursday. “We’re still quite a bit away from a move.”

Terms of the sale were not available Thursday afternoon.

Part of the problem with the Lisbon Street location, Rowe said, is the size. The current facilities were meant to house 15-20 kids. Instead, Rowe said nearly 50 teens have been staying there each day. They’ve been getting by with cramped spaces while New Beginnings administrators have been searching for a new spot.

“We’ve been looking for a long time,” Rowe said.

Another issue on Lisbon Street is the proximity to nearby businesses. Some business owners, new and old alike, have complained about the number of children hanging around in front of their shops.

“We’ve always been sensitive to that,” Rowe said.

The building on College Street is bigger — it is the former home of the Rocking House Daycare and before that, the building served as a Jewish Community Center.

Rowe said New Beginnings will now turn its attention to raising money for renovations at the new site. They are hoping to raise some or all of that money through a public campaign, which he hopes will start soon.

As the people of New Beginnings mull a new location, they are making the best of the current situation on Lisbon Street.

On Friday, their facilities will become a makeshift gallery as they participate in the L-A Artwalk. Rowe said several youths from the center will be presenting their own artwork for the show.