Norway village preservationists have been given four months to save the old Advertiser Democrat office at 1 Pikes Hill.

Now they need to assess the feasibility of making the historic three-story building safe for use and procure a developer willing to purchase it.

Owner Peter Smedberg has agreed to a proposal of neighboring businesses and residents to save it, and the Planning Board voted unanimously to pause his request to demolish the dilapidated landmark, at least until April.

Smedberg and business partner Todd Truman previously appeared before the planning and select boards, requesting that the town waive the required four-month waiting period before a demolition permit is issued. 

The owners cited unsafe conditions, break-ins and fire risk as their reasons to raze the building immediately. Smedberg told officials during meetings in December and January that squatters had been using electricity and kitchen utensils such as hot plates and pans. 

If the building — with years of old newspapers stored on its upper floors — caught fire it could potentially spread to other buildings on Main Street, they said.

Enough residents spoke in favor of the 120-day demolition delay ordinance at a Jan. 7 Planning Board meeting that a public hearing was scheduled for Jan. 22 to consider public comment before waiving it.

Since then, community members have galvanized to save 1 Pikes Hill, including Norway Downtown and Norway Opera House boards of directors and other owners of historic commercial buildings.

During the Jan. 22 public hearing, Smedberg agreed to a proposal presented by Scott Berk, Norway Downtown board president and neighboring business owner.

The first thing to do, Berk said, is determine if 1 Pikes Hill realistically can be restored.

“No one has been allowed in for several years,” he said. “We already have some parties interested in purchasing it, but it’s still very early.”

Berk said potential investors are attracted to Norway because of its focus on historic preservation as a basis for economic development.

“One party is not from Norway but has had involvement with various community projects,” Berk said. “And they are admirers of our town’s revitalization.”

Maine Preservation, which has applauded Norway and some of its historic preservation leaders in the past, is also assisting in identifying potential investors and making introductions.

However, if the building inspection confirms that the foundation and structure are too compromised to repair, the preservation groups have said they will withdraw their plan to restore it. 

In that case, the Planning Board will grant the demolition permit to Smedberg and Truman to demolish and replace it as requested.

Likewise, if no potential buyer meets the sale price the owners have set by the time the waiting period expires, the building will be taken down.

The Advertiser Democrat, along with its original printing press equipment, was at 1 Pikes Hill for decades until it moved to another Main Street space in 2018.

Since it was built during the mid-19th century, numerous local businesses and community groups have also operated out of the office, including the Norway Grange, the Oddfellows, a marble monument shop, shoe store and even an early home of the Norway Public Library.

Generations of locals attended grange fundraisers and public gatherings there, including suppers, auctions and dances. 

It is also the original site of Norway Savings Bank and the target of an 1867 heist where the bank’s safe was blown up and contents stolen.