Morning Sentinel
STERNS BUILDING IN SKOWHEGAN
Winter weather delays construction
By DARLA L. PICKETT
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 12/19/2007

SKOWHEGAN -- Winter weather is slowing progress on the Sterns building, a project aimed at adding retail space to enhance the downtown, according to the town's developer.

"They are doing fairly well except the weather is starting to kill them," Jeffrey Hewett, the town's economic and community development director, told a planning group Tuesday morning. "This cold snap in December -- I'm not sure now if they can start the brick work."

Hewett said he expects E. W. Littlefield Inc. contractors will add the roof either this week or right after Christmas.

The $800,000 structure, funded by grants and a Sappi economic development account, initially will create single-story retail space, public bathrooms and a walk-through for pedestrians from Commercial Street to Water Street. A second story and elevator will be added when money becomes available.

Maitland Richardson, a member of Skowhegan Economic Development Corp., said the size of the first floor that is presently under construction seems small.

Hewett estimates the single story will offer 350 to 400 square feet of retail space.

"The bathrooms take up a lot of room ... (but) it's a good space, it really is," Hewett said, suggesting the group take a tour of the building after their next meeting.

In the meantime, Hewett said he continues to search for grants that will help pay for the rest of the construction, including a second floor.

"I've got a dozen different applications out there," he said.

Hewett and Chris Perkins, president of SEDC, have approached Skowhegan Savings Bank officials about a $10,000 grant. Perkins said the proposal will go before the bank's board of directors this week. Franklin Savings Bank already has donated $2,000.

Hewett said he also is applying for a 2008 Nonprofit Development Grant at the state level.

"We stand a very good chance," Hewett said. That particular grant does have available $250,000, he said.

Hewett said he needs to raise at least another $293,000 to finish the entire project, including a second floor, elevator, parking area and contingency fund.

SEDC members agreed that rental fees never were expected to recoup the cost of the building.

"It was seen as a public convenience; income was secondary," said member Richard (Dale) Thorpe.

Darla L. Pickett -- 474-9534, Ext. 341

dpickett@centralmaine.com

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redfish of Largo, FL
Dec 19, 2007 7:51 PM
TURN DONTOWN INTO SKOWHEGAN COMUNITY COLLAGE,NOT ONLY WOULD BE GREAT FOR THE YOUTH IT COULD GET MANY $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ FROM THE FED AND REALY BRING SOMTHING GOOD TO THE AREA.SOMTHING THAT COULD WORK THAT COULD HELP MANY.report abuse
Sailah of Cornville, ME
Dec 19, 2007 7:43 PM
I can't believe that a public bathroom can cost this much. I think the town should have rented some porta-potties and saved a lot of money. How many buildings in town cost almost a half million dollars? How much per sq. ft.?report abuse
R O of North Anson, ME
Dec 19, 2007 7:42 PM
yay more useless space on the rotary that will fall into disrepair, if it were not for the documentary film that was done on the rotary i'm sure they would not be making such renavations to all of the old buildings. why not take a new approach and redesign the whole deal and make it more sraight and wide with lots of parking oh yah you would have to get approval from the land owner walter height, but he doesnt want skowhegan to grow, just to slow down and see all of the used cars that hes trying to sell what kind of town are you trying to rebuild it must be a used car lot. It's never going to be farmington with its small shops and big city appeal no matter how much you dress it up its just a mill town with nothing but a new toilet and fancy painted brick sidewalks.report abuse

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