LEWISTON — The City Council will vote Tuesday on several items related to the Choice Neighborhoods redevelopment effort, including a tax increment financing agreement with the developers.
The proposed TIF district, as well as using $450,000 in federal HOME funds, was requested by developers and city staff in order to close a funding gap for the 82-unit first phase of development.
During a council workshop in October, city staff said higher than expected construction costs have led the development team of Lewiston Housing and Avesta Housing to make some changes to the design and seek other cost-saving measures.
Misty Parker, economic development manager, said that since 2020, the project has seen a 39% increase in construction costs, and that cost increases are felt especially in the first phase of construction, which is a lower density project featuring eight buildings on Pine, Bartlett, Walnut and Pierce streets.
A rendering in Lewiston’s housing plan shows what the redevelopment on Pine and Pierce streets could look like. The project includes four renovated units in the historic Wedgewood building. Submitted photo
The TIF would return 50% of the increased tax revenue from the properties to the developer over the first 16 years, resulting in roughly $1.3 million.
The city received the $30 million Choice Neighborhoods grant last year, making Lewiston the smallest city to ever receive it. Staff has said the federal grant is leveraging an additional $60 to 70 million in investment in the neighborhood, with the the purpose of transforming “an area of the city that has long suffered from high poverty, poor quality housing, limited opportunities, and low education levels by investing in housing, people, and the neighborhood.”
The first phase of work will consist of 42 units that are considered a “replacement” of distressed public housing, as well as 18 workforce units and 22 market rate units. The development also includes a historic renovation of the Wedgewood house. According to a memo, HOME funds can only be used to support affordable housing.
Other parts of the plan, which focus on education, recreation and other neighborhood-level improvements have already begun.
A rough concept sketch of Nathan Brown’s proposed mural at the Public Theatre in Lewiston, titled, “Welcome to our World.” City of Lewiston
PUBLIC ART
Also on Tuesday, the council will vote on a proposed mural by artist Nathan Brown, which is slated for the Public Theatre’s building at 31 Maple St.
According to a memo, Brown’s mural, called “Welcome to our World,” has been recommended by the Public Art Committee and is tied to public art efforts in the Choice Neighborhoods plan. Funding comes through the city’s original Choice Neighborhoods “planning and action” grant in 2018, a precursor to the larger award.
The memo states that the community and the Public Theatre would work with the artist in the design and construction of the mural next summer, and that the Public Theatre has agreed to maintain the artwork for a minimum period of five years.
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