We propose that the crucial 20,000 square feet
of mill space include a market place built on:
• Access to good food
• Support for local farmer
• Health and wellness assets
Read More ….
Grow L&A believes that the economic futures of Auburn and Lewiston are tied together. With three major development projects in the works, our bright economic forecast is drawing attention from across the state and the nation.
However, we are VERY concerned that a rising, divisive voice is endangering this forecast. Under the cry of budget shortfalls, the Auburn City Council is moving to unfund two key economic efforts:
The efforts by the City of Auburn to withdraw support for the Lewiston Auburn Economic Growth Council is troubling – sending a clear message to current trade and business negotiations that states “the people of Auburn are not ready to welcome their future”.
The sudden scheduling of Auburn Council’s vote to RECIND approved, matched funding for exploring passenger rail reinforces Auburn’s tentativeness regarding its future, but also informs businesses, investors and its residents that Auburn cannot be trusted to honor its commitments and keep its word.
NOW is the time for Auburn and Lewiston to support joint efforts that make good economic sense for businesses and people of our communities. Grow L+A believes in the promise of our futures, and we want our elected officials to work together, in the spirit of cooperation, delivering a clear, united message to business and industry, that we are ready to embrace the future.
Please, attend the Auburn City Council meeting Monday evening to show your support for LAEGC and passenger rail service.
Auburn City Building
60 Court St. (free parking in garage)
5:30PM
Platz Associates has released artist renderings for the Central Maine Medical Center and YMCA facilities in Bates Mill No. 5.
Major partners, Central Maine Healthcare and YMCA, will occupy 150,000 square feet of the 350,000 square foot building. The plans are for a centralized health and wellness center that weaves together the missions of both organizations and greatly benefits the community.
A third potential tenant is E.Claire and Pastries, a bakery/café and event venue, who will take 10,000 square feet in the mill.
Lewiston City Council gave developer Tom Platz a one year extension (to Feb 2017) on his option to buy Bates Mill No. 5. This allows all parties to complete the financial arrangements and continue to secure additional tenants.
“We’re not only fighting just the logistics of building financing,” Platz said. “Everybody knows that we’re trying to rebuild Auburn and Lewiston and get people to recognize us as a place to come do business. So that’s part of this whole scenario.”
Such a massive redevelopment project takes time, but it is moving ahead quickly now.
What is happening with Mill 5?
Tuesday, January 26
6PM
Lewiston City Hall
Council Chambers
Join Grow L+A, the developer and some prospective tenants during a Lewiston City Council workshop for the very latest information about the progress of this iconic development!
Grow L+A held a public forum in September. The purpose was to discuss the findings of the Karp Resources Report, as well as solicit input from the community.
More than 100 people attended and an engaging evening ensued.
Here we have part 1 of a summary of the ideas and suggestions we heard from residents of Lewiston and Auburn about redeveloping Bates Mill No. 5.
Two framing questions were utilized, the first one focused on what people read in the Karp Report. Here are highlights from the forum.
Framing Question #2
Given tonight’s discussion and your own reading of the report, what are the best ideas and strategies that help Grow L+A, and the community, move forward?
Key themes-
In relation to best uses of Bates Mill No. 5
Local food and health-related businesses
We welcome any other suggestions that you might have. Email them to us at info@growla.org.
Grow L+A held a public forum in September. The purpose was to discuss the findings of the Karp Resources Report, as well as solicit input from the community.
More than 100 people attended and an engaging evening ensued.
Here we have part 1 of a summary of the ideas and suggestions we heard from residents of Lewiston and Auburn about redeveloping Bates Mill No. 5.
Two framing questions were utilized, the first one focused on what people read in the Karp Report. Here are highlights from the forum.
Framing Question #1
Given what you heard this evening, and your own reading of the report, what are the most important points that Grow L+A and the community can come away with?
Key themes-
In relation to food and farming
In relation to Bates Mill No. 5/the physical building itself
We welcome any other suggestions that you might have. Email them to us at info@growla.org.
During a 2 week period at the end of the summer, Grow L+A conducted a series of kitchen table discussions about the Karp Report with a cross section of the community. Here is a summary of the results of those discussions.
Stakeholder Charrette Summary-
Question #1: Given the outcome of the Karp Report, what are the lessons learned?
Question #2: How do we better position Bates Mill #5 as an asset in cultivating a vibrant urban landscape, making living in Lewiston and Auburn more sustainable?
Note: Key role for Grow L+A in promoting a “vision” about Bates Mill No. 5
Question #3 Positioning Bates Mill No. 5—as an asset a vibrant urban landscape/sustainability
Needs that creative redevelopment of Bates Mill No. 5 could meet.
Grow L+A shares an in-depth report about Bates Mill No. 5 and the role its redevelopment could play in our local food economy.
“We can turn around this perceived lost cause and make it into a hub of growth and technology. Use our existing resources most appropriately and create incredible opportunity.”
Grow L+A continues to be involved in the redevelopment plans of Bates Mill No. 5. Check out our projects page to learn more!