Augusta,Infill and Small Developments | Maine

If we could plop it down in another area it would make a great 5 star resort!
 
mainejeff said:
If we could plop it down in another area it would make a great 5 star resort!
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Haha, c'mon, Augusta deserves a little R&R spot.

Either that or some billionaire could swoop in and make it a world class museum :sneaky: Something like Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin. Not sure if y'all can tell, but I am big dreamer lol.

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It's 45 students in the architectural program at UMA and the building needs some repairs. It's 6 floors, and something like the age, structure and size that MECA is in. Sad that a good architectural program like this is treated with such disrespect. The student highlighted in the article indicates that she was accepted at RISD and went to UMA because of its offerings. The UM system can support or find $65 million to build a massive arts center in Portland with a component for book arts (huh?), but they can't save this? Are book "arts" more important to Mainers than good architecture? Sure, okay, the Tom's of Maine lady probably gave them $10 million because she likes to collect that kind of art, but still... The arch school's national accreditation will be lost if not. And everything does not have to be in Portland. This section of the downtown has some real arch gems. How ironic, that less than a mile away are the state's representatives.

https://www.pressherald.com/2026/01...ited-architecture-program-with-building-move/
 
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The house in question is a poorly maintained 1899 John Calvin Stevens.

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Bank claims two contractors thought it would be so expensive to move they declined to even bid on it. But a developer at the meeting offered to buy it, thought it would be easy to move to the north side of the rotary. I think this would be the move:

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nomc said:
The house in question is a poorly maintained 1899 John Calvin Stevens.

View attachment 70209

Bank claims two contractors thought it would be so expensive to move they declined to even bid on it. But a developer at the meeting offered to buy it, thought it would be easy to move to the north side of the rotary. I think this would be the move:

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Does that mean it's being moved and saved?
 
I predict that it will be lifted up, and then collapse into a pile of rubble in the middle of the rotary.

Also, if you compare the rendering to the Google Maps screenshot, that rendering is all kinds of f'd up. Reconcile the existing parking behind the white building with what's shown in the drawing.

As far as parking goes, I'd just point out that Augusta and Waterville are transit-free communities, other than RTP-style paratransit.
 
DanielPWM19 said:
Does that mean it's being moved and saved?
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Article says the developer (Richard Parkhurst) reiterated his offer to KSB on the way out and KSB was open to discussing. The HP board have enacted a 60 day demolition delay, so it seems like they'll need to come to an agreement within that period. The proposed building still needs a zoning change and a height allowance.
markhb said:
I predict that it will be lifted up, and then collapse into a pile of rubble in the middle of the rotary.

Also, if you compare the rendering to the Google Maps screenshot, that rendering is all kinds of f'd up. Reconcile the existing parking behind the white building with what's shown in the drawing.

As far as parking goes, I'd just point out that Augusta and Waterville are transit-free communities, other than RTP-style paratransit.
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Look at all the arrows, what could go wrong!
 
Island Frye said:
www.centralmaine.com

Augusta Kmart redevelopment recruiting first tenants for Western Avenue project

The city and its real estate partner hope to curate a commercial hub with a hotel, mixed-use building and standalone storefronts along a well-traveled stretch.
www.centralmaine.com www.centralmaine.com

A nice overhead view of the proposed layout of the redevelopment:
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Excellent news. This is a step in the right direction for Augusta

On a separate note, have any locals noticed work starting at Olde Federal hotel project? Any pics :sneaky:
 
Here is another article talking about the AMHI work: https://bostonrealestatetimes.com/g...-of-historic-stone-building-in-augusta-maine/

Highlights include:
After nearly two decades of vacancy, the building faced a range of structural and envelope challenges, including a partial roof collapse, displaced exterior walls, deteriorated mortar joints, and widespread window failure. These conditions left the property increasingly vulnerable to water infiltration and loss of historic material.

Gale Associates was retained in 2021 by the Maine Bureau of General Services to assess the structure and develop a comprehensive preservation strategy focused on stabilizing and restoring the building enclosure.

The project has progressed through several key phases. Phase 1 included a full roof replacement, slate repair and in-kind replacement, extensive repointing, and stone restoration, as well as reconstruction of severely deteriorated wall and gable sections. The work required careful coordination to ensure structural stability while preserving the building’s historic granite façade.

Phase 2 focused on hazardous materials abatement and the selective salvage of significant interior woodwork, carried out in collaboration with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission.

Phase 3, currently underway, centers on the restoration of approximately 50 historic wood windows, including original stained-glass units. For windows beyond repair, Gale is working with state preservation officials to design compatible replacements that meet modern energy code requirements while maintaining historic proportions and minimizing long-term maintenance.

The project is funded through $20.4 million in state bonds and is being carried out by Maine-based design and construction teams. Completion is anticipated in March 2027.

Beyond preservation, the effort is aimed at revitalizing the broader Augusta East Campus. The State of Maine plans to renovate the building’s interior for future municipal use, allowing the long-dormant property to once again serve the community.
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In high school our psychology class took a road trip to visit this building and its "occupants." I will never forget what I saw and heard. I'm a big believer in restoration of older and noteworthy buildings, but not this one. It's too sprawling and highly energy inefficient. I can find a dozen other reasons to not invest a dime in this other than to raze it. Mercy Hospital was a different scenario due to its vertical and more efficient nature. And there are no associated feel-goods with this structure. I could elaborate on the happenings inside of a mental institution but it would be far too depressing.
 
I would have to disagree. The preservation of state hospitals is extremely rare, especially in New England. In Massachusetts, the Kirkbride hospitals in Worcester, Northampton, and Taunton have been completely demolished (Worcester's clock tower was reassembled), and only a portion of Danvers' facade was saved and transformed into apartments. Other state institutions, such as the state schools in Belchertown, Waltham, and Wrentham, either sit half-demolished and half abandoned (Belchertown and Waltham) or are still in use (Wrentham). The horrible things that went on behind those doors need to be remembered, and an easy way to forget is to demolish the physical remains of those institutions. Reading about state hospitals is one thing, something that I have done a lot of, but seeing, feeling, and experiencing them is just as important. They offer a tangible connection to the past, just like any historic building, and remind us where we came from and where we must never return to.
The state hospital in Foxborough has been renovated into apartments, and the massive Kirkbride in Buffalo, New York has been partially turned into a hotel, with the plans for the rest of the building to follow suit. I see no reason that Augusta State Hospital should not be granted the same opportunity
 
I hear what you're saying, TC--I just think the AMHI campus is a long-term investment for Augusta / central Maine. It sounds like they're working to make it more efficient, bit by bit. America needs to stop razing historical structures.

and for those unaware, there's also Viles Arboretum east of the main campus: https://vilesarboretum.org/about/our-story -- would be cool if they could expand this someday.
 
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At this point in history - and given our American love for razing buildings for stupid reasons - I'd think preserving ANYTHING with notable architectural detail would be worth it.

It's far better than any of the Lego 80's Eastern European Drab garbage built and proposed all over the place now ... which ... isn't built to last or with super sustainable materials.

But sure, let's just raze it and put up another St John Street strip mall hole in the wall or some ugly box building. Sure.
 
The building is interesting to look at though nothing of historic importance happened inside its walls. I find it amusing that so many want everything or anything to be preserved, but if they were to win the lottery they would not spend 50K to restore their 2003 Camry. No, they--and all of us--the next day will run down to the local Mercedes dealership to buy a 190K S class AMG.
 
Lots of buildings have a past. They don't need to have historical importance to be saved either.

I'm not of the Portland mindset that everything should be preserved. Old Chamber of Commerce on Free St? Raze it, I didn't blink.

But - Maine (and the US in general) made some pretty stupid decisions in the past. Once it's gone, we can't get it back.

And as a teacher of environmental ethics - I'll aways (ironically) be pro building UP than the constant expansion and waste. I'm sure you'll find that amusing too.
 
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