NORWAY – The future of the Gingerbread House remains under wraps as several private, nonprofit organizations continue to meet with the owner of the historic Main Street building in hopes of saving it from demolition.

“It’s a collaborative problem-solving effort,” said Norway Downtown President Andrea Burns shortly after a meeting two weeks ago that was attended by Pat Shearman, chairman of the Norway Historical Society task force; Steve Cole, director of Coastal Enterprises Inc.; Ferg Lea, planning division director for the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments; and a representative of the owner of the building.

Burns said the Historical Society has notified Ed Snook, chief financial officer of C’s Inc., owner of the Gingerbread House, that they are interested in the building. The group also formed the task force headed by Pat Shearman. Shearman has declined to comment on the activity, but Burns said Norway Downtown is interested in the building as part of the overall plan to keep downtown Main Street economically and historically viable.

Snook said Monday that there has been interest expressed by the Historical Society and another meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday.

“I’ll know more tomorrow,” he said.

The Gingerbread House sits next to the Advertiser-Democrat/Sun Journal.

The dilapidated 1855 building has been offered to the town and the Historical Society with the provision that it be moved. At the time of the offer last fall, C’s Inc. said a proposal must be in place by Dec. 31 or the building would be demolished.

Town Manager David Holt has said he does not see the town taking on the building, but he hoped that other organizations might join together to find a solution.

The action to demolish the building has been delayed while the groups try to work out an agreement, Burns said.

The said representatives of the owner have been open to conversations and suggestions and have continued to meet with the private groups even past their deadline.

“They’ve been nothing but cooperative,” Burns said.