After attending the Lewiston Council meeting on April 2, it was pleasing to learn Grow L+A has six months to work with the city and investors to enact a reuse plan for Bates Mill 5.

The Grow L+A vision is working with private investors, essentially making it a combination of uses including an indoor farm, a year-round farmers’ market, space for retail and light industrial uses, community space and loft-style apartments. Many people spoke during public comment at the meeting, and all were in support of the project.

Most will agree that it is time to make a decision on what to do with Mill 5, that in its current state it is not pretty, nor the gateway the city wants as people cross the river into Lewiston.

While many people wish to tear it down, the cost to Lewiston taxpayers would be incredible, with estimates at nearly $3 million, just for demolition, and that does not include any redevelopment of the site.

As one individual said, seeing Bates Mill 5 torn down would be a mistake for the city of Lewiston comparable to the demolition of Portland’s Union Station, or the demolition of New York’s Penn Station.

GROW L+A has a large task in front of it, with a very firm date of Oct. 3 set by the council and the city administrator. But with community support and the right team of project proponents and investors, this project can be completed.

Bates Mill 5 can be resurrected.

Jeff Carleton, Lewiston, on behalf of YPLAA y-not Team AmpLAfy