Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 59 Fact Book / Doing Business in Maine B U S I N E S S R E S O U R C E S "Luckily, the layout and overall condition of the building worked well for his needs so after a short negotia- tion we were able secure the property," Lamontagne says. Lamontagne recently represented Granite Bay Care, a growing Portland service agency for adults with disabili- ties, searching for larger headquarters. Parameters included more space for training, offices and conference rooms without a lot of build-out. e quest took several months. e result? A 19,392-square-foot office lease at 482 Payne Road in Scarborough. e deal was complicated by the agency's existing real estate commitments. "ey had two locations in Greater Portland with conflicting lease expira- tion dates, so consolidating under one roof was going to be challenging," says Lamontagne. "However, on one of the spaces I was able to negotiate an early termination right. So that allowed us some flexibility to look for the perfect single roof space." After finding the right space, Lamontagne negotiated enough free rent to align the lease expirations. "It was a complicated process that took 24 months and three landlords, but we pulled it off," he says. Benefit of time For another service agency, the search for real estate took two years. Greater Portland Health has a dozen sites to serve vulnerable popula- tions and was looking for an additional spot. Parameters included being in the Portland area and close to public transportation. "Greater Portland Health had the benefit of time, which isn't the case for all buyers," says Samantha Marinko with the Boulos Co. Still, when a 9,465-square-foot office building at 295 Park Ave. in Portland hit the market, the agency leapt at the opportunity. e former firehouse was move-in ready, already fitted up for medical use. Key to the process? e organiza- tion's CEO was prepared. "eir needs were not unusual. Conversely, they were looking for what a lot of buyers were also looking for, a stand-alone office building with parking in Portland," says Marinko. "I believe we were the first group to tour the Park Avenue building and we knew there would be a lot of interest, so we made an offer immediately to avoid competing offers." Marinko and her colleague, Nate Stevens, had a similar experience on the opposite side of a deal, when they listed 55 Foden Road in South Portland, a free-standing office build- ing with plenty of parking. It was listed for less than 24 hours before Connections for Kids, represented by Boulos brokers Noah Stebbins and Craig Young, made an offer. "ey had the same mindset, be the first in the door to make an offer to avoid competing offers," says Marinko. Ready with an offer Increased business in Maine drew Lon- donderry, N.H.-based Hampshire Fire Protection Co. LLC to look for industrial space for its expansion into Maine. Hampshire's parameters included a location south of Portland. e com- pany was able to take on larger square footage than it needed, as long as it C O U N S E L O R S A T L A W LOCATIONS to better serve you BANGOR 84 Harlow Street 207.947.4501 ELLSWORTH 77 State Street 207.374.5833 2 We've expanded Big firm experience. Small firm attention. rudmanwinchell.com C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F T H E BO U L O S C O. F I L E P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY We knew there would be a lot of interest, so we made an offer immediately to avoid competing offers. — Samantha Marinko Boulos Co. Chris Paszyc with the Boulos Co. Samantha Marinko

• Cover