Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 23 J U LY 2 3 , 2 0 1 8 F O C U S R E A L E S TAT E / C O N S T R U C T I O N / D E S I G N ¡ Chad Francis, owner of Atlantic Landscape Construction Inc., received approval to build 10 townhouse units on the old Newland Nursery site on the Bangor Road. ¡ Ashley Andrews received a certifi cate of occupancy for two nine-unit buildings. ¡ Buzzell Properties LLC received certifi cates of occupancy on 10 units. Cole says the city approves construc- tion of 0 to single-family homes per year, too. "We're very, very — underline that— low," says Economic Development Coordinator Micki Sumpter. "But we're asking developers to look at that and start building. And they are looking." Workforce housing Ellsworth's largest residential project is a 9 million workforce housing devel- opment. Developers Collaborative of Portland plans to build 0 units in seven townhouses on 4.7 acres off High Street, near Route 1 and within walking distance of the downtown. Compact development is part of Developers Collaborative's "smart growth" philosophy, using existing public infrastructure, reducing traffi c and sprawl, and preserving rural areas, says founder Kevin Bunker. Bunker says Jackson Lab's expan- sion into Ellsworth, combined with the tight residential market, is part of what attracted him to the area. As a tax credit housing project, Bunker says, rents will be restricted to workers making between 0% and 60% of the area median income, or 2,000 to 42,000, depending on family size. "We're [already] getting phone calls every day from interested par- ties," Bunker says. e need for workforce housing is urgent, says Cole. "Everyone is looking for workers, so they need housing," he adds. Bunker mentions he's also in discus- sions with city and state offi cials and employers to look into development of seasonal workforce housing for hospi- tality and agricultural workers. "We've been working the past several months to fi nd a way to pro- vide seasonal housing for workers in a market where it's hard enough to fi nd year-round rentals," he says. He wouldn't reveal details, but mentioned his draft solution is creatively fi nanced to spread risk. It's not just new housing Ellsworth is also seeing new interest in old buildings, including conversions of upper stories of retail spaces downtown for apartments. "Our numbers don't capture every- thing — people converting upstairs space in the downtown, or changing homes into apartments or duplexes," says Cole. "So it's happening, one or two at a time, and that adds up." Developer Bates says townhouses and even rentals are often attractive options to longtime homeowners look- ing to downsize. He cites one couple, now tenants at one of his townhouses, as an example. " ey're affl uent, they have great jobs, great incomes," he says. " ey own their home for 1, 20 years, no mortgage. But the woman says, 'John, we had to drill another well. en we did the siding, then the windows. is year, we've got to do the roof.' She's over it." Although there are plenty of older, existing rentals in Ellsworth, it isn't easy to fi nd quality units. " ey're dated," Wight says. "I hear a lot from tenants that they're moving out from somewhere else because it's old or the landlord isn't doing a good job." Whether buying or renting, people are looking for places to live. "As Jackson Lab comes online and continues to grow," Cole says. "It's just going to make the need that much more critical." L S, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at @ . Maximum Views. Discover a clean look and larger daylight openings with EnLiten TM flush-glazed designs. *Comparison of U-factor values of a flush-glazed full-lite door and a Lip-lite full-lite door, both with Low-E glass. **Must be installed as part of a Therma-Tru door system in compliance with a Therma-Tru product approval. 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To learn how we can bring our design/build expertise to your project contact us, today. — Kevin Bowman, Brian Bowman An award winning, family- owned, general contracting firm since 1987 We're [already] getting phone calls every We're [already] getting phone calls every We're [already] getting phone calls every We're [already] getting phone calls every We're [already] getting phone calls every We're [already] getting phone calls every We're [already] getting phone calls every We're [already] getting phone calls every We're [already] getting phone calls every We're [already] getting phone calls every We're [already] getting phone calls every We're [already] getting phone calls every We're [already] getting phone calls every We're [already] getting phone calls every day from interested parties. Everyone is day from interested parties. Everyone is day from interested parties. Everyone is day from interested parties. Everyone is day from interested parties. Everyone is day from interested parties. Everyone is day from interested parties. Everyone is day from interested parties. Everyone is day from interested parties. Everyone is day from interested parties. Everyone is day from interested parties. Everyone is day from interested parties. Everyone is day from interested parties. Everyone is looking for workers, so they need housing. — Kevin Bunker Founder, Developers Collaborative of Portland

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