Tree Street Youth has pulled a permit for a $1 million project at 144 Howe St., building a 2,900-square-foot addition, demolishing some of the building and renovating 1,400 square feet, according to city records. Hebert Construction is the contractor.

Executive Director Julie Sleeper-Whiting said the project is phase two of an improvement plan for the nonprofit. This phase will add an elementary and pre-K wing, including a pre-K learning center and four new classrooms.

“Although the center has always informally admitted pre-K students with siblings in other programs, there has been no dedicated space to meet their unique needs,” according to a donor presentation for the project.

Sleeper-Whiting said construction is underway and they still have $480,000 left to raise.

“Our goal is if we can (raise it) by the end of the construction period, which would be summer, we would not have to rely on lending/take on debt for the organization,” she said.

The hope is that it’s finished in time for summer programs.

For phase one, Tree Street raised $1.5 million for improvements last year, turning warehouse space into classrooms, recreation space, a performance hall and dining facility. The nonprofit in downtown Lewiston serves between 120 and 150 youth a day, 99 percent living at or below the poverty level.

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