"Focus Real Estate/Construction/Design" piece on how housing developers are conv

James McCarthy

Source

Mainebiz

Date

10-29-2012

Pages

1, 18-20

Abstract

"Focus Real Estate/Construction/Design" piece on how housing developers are converting shuttered schools into affordable housing, often for seniors. Dana Totman, president of the nonprofit Avesta, explains that these reuse projects reflect smart growth principles, as old schools are typically located in downtown areas, enabling residents to walk to amenities and providing them with a sense of community. John Wasileski of OceanView at Falmouth also espouses these principles, although his current project is located in a more rural setting. Avesta's conversion of the Emery School in Biddeford has been strongly supported by Biddeford city officials who have spent between $15,000 and $20,000 per year for minimal upkeep of the building. Totman cites this support as crucial to the success of the project, for buildings left too long vacant lose viability as conversion candidates. John Hodge of the Brunswick Housing Authority recently converted the old Lisbon High School, which had been similarly maintained by the city, into senior housing.

Subjects

Housing, Buildings Salvaging, School buildings, Avesta Housing

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