LEWISTON – Work on Oxford Networks new downtown Lewiston office building is scheduled to begin Tuesday.

City and company officials will break out the ceremonial shovels for a 10 a.m. groundbreaking ceremony.

Deputy Development Director Lincoln Jeffers said crews should begin pouring the foundation for the building that afternoon.

“They’ve already started pushing dirt around at the site,” said Jeffers. “They’re moving quickly on it.”

Crews tore down the old FHP Engine Services building and the southernmost 60 feet of the neighboring warehouse last month to make way for the Oxford Networks.

The next 140-foot section of the warehouse will remain to become another office building, according to plans. The northernmost 200 feet will be torn down to make room for a new city parking garage.

The work is part of a joint city and Franklin Property Trust effort to redevelop the block of buildings surrounded by Lisbon, Maple and Canal streets.

Plans call for three new office buildings, new sidewalks, buried utilities and a parking garage.

The deal is supposed to bring between 200 and 300 jobs and be finished within three years.

Jeffers said he is still negotiating with the owners of Nadeau’s Garage at 400 Canal St., the Lincoln Street Radiator Shop at 500 Canal St. and the apartment building at 482 Canal St. Plans call for a parking lot and a Northeast Bank building.

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