By Jim Keithley
AUGUSTA, Maine — Once-vibrant strip malls across several Maine communities now stand empty, but developers see them as the future home of new housing.
In Augusta, the shuttered Kmart at Augusta Plaza off Western Avenue is being targeted for redevelopment by city officials.
"We're bringing a mixed-use project that will include a new hotel, retail, office space but, as we've discussed, about sixty units of market-rate housing that is much-needed in a mixed-use development," said Keith Luke, Augusta's director of economic development.
Luke said mixed-use projects are popular up and down the East Coast. He said in cities like Charlotte, North Carolina, these types of projects are the norm.
"These types of mixed-use projects include everything from charter schools to retail to gyms and lifestyle activities with housing on the upper floors," Luke said.
According to Luke, the housing at the former Kmart would be attractive to young professionals looking for a short commute to work.
"It has the added benefit of being close to transportation and with activities that people like to enjoy," Luke said.
Plans are also in motion to demolish a building near Capitol Park that once housed the Augusta Police Station. Portland-based Developers Collaborative plans to build 100 units of affordable housing at that site.
Other projects in Augusta are already underway. Builders are putting the finishing touches on Sturgeon Landing, which will have 32 units of affordable workforce housing with rents starting at $900 per month. Sturgeon Landing is located behind the Dairy Queen on Bangor Street.
Luke said renderings for the planned mixed-use project at the former Kmart are coming soon. The Augusta City Council will still need to make some zoning changes, but if all goes as planned, Luke hopes to break ground in the spring. The prices of the market-rate units Luke mentioned have yet to be determined.