Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 13 S E P T E M B E R 2 2 , 2 0 2 5 A U G U S TA / WAT E R V I L L E / C E N T R A L M A I N E F O C U S A ugusta has several major construction proj- ects in the pipeline, including the mixed- use redevelopment of the former KMart Plaza, residential builds, downtown renovations and the conversion of a striking 19th century building into a boutique hotel. Together, the residential projects will mean more than 1,000 new housing units, with more in the pipeline, says Keith Luke, the city's director of eco- nomic development Based on a 2020 study, the city's housing shortfall is well over the number that has been approved. "But we're making important progress," says Luke. e city council's goal, he says, is to bring in as much housing as possible, and in every category. "We're working closely with the development com- munity to make sure they're aware that Augusta is a welcoming place for housing development," he says. In 2022, Luke estimated the value of residential investment coming into the city to be nearly $100 million. Today, it's well over $250 million. "Residents of the new housing units being created will be the employees that our existing employers need to grow, and the available workforce that will help the city attract new employers in the future," Luke adds. In recent years, the city has been attracting local and out-of-state real estate developers looking to build apartment blocks and renew and fill vintage brick and stone buildings in the downtown area. "I think Augusta has done a great job working with developers and owners to make the downtown a much more open place for development," says Andrew LeBlanc, a local resident and developer. "When you go to downtown Augusta, you'll see a lot more restaurants, apartments and local shops that weren't around five years ago." Plaza redevelopment "When you come to Augusta on a project, they take the attitude that they'll try to work with you," says George Campbell, co-developer with Joe and Greg Lajoie and Ryan Landry from Augusta construc- tion firm Lajoie Brothers of the multi-use Capitol Heights Plaza at 56 Western Ave. With Capitol Heights Center LLC as the project owner, the development is at the site of the former Augusta Plaza that included a defunct, and recently demolished KMart building. H H DOVER-FOXCROFT CORINTH H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H BELFAST ROCHESTER GORHAM PORTLAND LIVERMORE FALLS MEXICO BRUNSWICK AUBURN BOOTHBAY HARBOR DAMARISCOTTA ROCKLAND CAMDEN BUCKSPORT BLUE HILL ELLSWORTH BAR HARBOR CHERRYFIELD MACHIAS CALAIS BELGRADE FAIRFIELD FARMINGTON SKOWHEGAN BANGOR GREENVILLE WATERVILLE WEST ENFIELD OLD TOWN KINGFIELD PALMYRA MADISON MADISON H H H 34 LOCATIONS ACROSS MAINE & NEW HAMPSHIRE YOUR BUILDING PROJECT PARTNER HAMMONDLUMBER.COM FOURTH GENERATION | FAMILY-OWNED | SINCE 1953 1,200+ EMPLOYEES & GROWING C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 1 6 » When you come to Augusta on a project, they take the attitude that they'll try to work with you. — George Campbell Capitol Heights Center LLC The dome of the Maine State House looms over the site of the Capitol Heights Plaza development in Augusta. P H O T O / J I M N E U G E R

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