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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 19 F E B R UA R Y 1 0 , 2 0 2 5 F O C U S C O M M E R C I A L D E V E L O P M E N T Hight is president and dealer principal at the Hight Family of Dealerships in Skowhegan and has been active in commercial real estate construction and leasing through Hight Properties. He has turned some of his focus to affordable housing, both consulting and owning, through SJ Hight & Co. in Skowhegan and 55 Weston Avenue LLC in Madison. In 2024, Wilbur, Hight and Brian Eng cut the ribbon on 55 Weston Ave. in Madison, a $5 million, 18-home affordable housing development. Another 18 units are proposed. Wilbur and Hight have other modular-construction, affordable housing in the works. For project owner and devel- oper Rob Nelson of Ecological Development LLC, they provided consulting for modular construc- tion of 16 affordable apartments at 16 Mills Road in downtown Newcastle, now underway. e design includes two 8-unit buildings set close to the street, with front porches, parking to the side and street trees maintained along the front. Under the MaineHousing pro- gram, the project guarantees rents will be restricted to residents earning 80% of area median income or less. In downtown Sanford, the plan is to build eight condos and a single- family detached condo at 19 Bodwell St. Goals include creating high-qual- ity living spaces to help meet grow- ing demand for housing among local workers, singles, young couples and downsizing seniors, with prices start- ing at $187,000, says Wilbur. Affordability is supported by efficient interior design to eliminate excess square footage that drives up housing and utility costs, and modular construction that reduces soft costs and loan interest costs. In Rumford, the developers are working to close on MaineHousing financing to create 18 rental units at 986 Prospect Ave. A similar project has been pro- posed in Yarmouth. "We are excited to provide hous- ing across the state using the modular approach — allowing more access to quality homes to meet the diverse needs of Mainers," says Hight. Dentist-turned-developer Beylin Development acquired 4.2 acres in a Saco opportunity zone and has site work underway for the construction of 17 three-bedroom duplexes totaling 34 three-bedroom units. Based in Windham, N.H., Beylin has over half of its projects in Maine. e latest, at 201 North St. and 15 Roebuck Ave., will include high-end finishes and energy-efficient systems. Partners include the company's president, Simon Beylin, Peter Anania, Anthony Prezioso and Vikas Patel. Anania handles development and property management. Matthew Pouliot of Pouliot Real Estate and Leo Bourgeault and Steven Liautaud of Coldwell Banker Realty brokered the land acquisition. e two addresses are two sides of the parcel. e $14 million development is 75% financed by the Bank of New Hampshire, with four investors pro- viding the rest. Rents are still to be determined. "Our goal is to offer rents that are competitive with local comparable units," says Beylin. As a young man, Beylin worked with his father in California building large multifamily projects. He then went to dental school and became an endodontist. Building on both interests, (207) 282-7697 | ncormier@pmconstruction.com | www.pmconstruction.com WE BUILD RELATIONSHIPS Your trusted partner for commercial construction in Maine and beyond CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TESTING AND INSPECTIONS • Soils, asphalt, concrete, masonry, fireproofing, and steel: Reduce potential delays, defects, and unexpected costs. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING • Soil and groundwater characterization, landfill monitoring, and site assessments GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING AND EXPLORATIONS • You see what's on top, we'll show you what's below. RWGILLESPIE.COM / INFO@RWG-A.COM BIDDEFORD, ME 207-286-8008 • NH 603-427-0244 • MA 508-623-0101 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 G E N E S I S F U N D, L I Z A F L E M I N G - I V E S At the ribbon cutting for 55 Weston Ave. in Madison, from left: MaineHousing communications director Scott Thistle, asset manager Billy Clark, multifamily loan officer Jayson Pare, development director Mark Wiesendanger, Sam Hight, MaineHousing director Daniel Brennan, Kara Wilbur and Brian Eng.