Mainebiz

V O L . X X I N O. X V I I A U G U S T 1 0 , 2 0 1 5 8 B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S N E W S F RO M A RO U N D T H E S TAT E $ 600 in rebates now available from Maine Electrical Alliance & Efficiency Maine Save $$$ on your heating AND AC bills!!! The ductless heat pump The latest technology is typically 1/2 the cost of heating with oil, propane, kerosene or electric baseboard One unit provides heating and cooling with easy zone installation Low cost heating in the Winter AND efficient AC in the Summer Provides improved air quality Call Maine Electrical Alliance today! 1-888-666-1947 MaineElectricalAlliance.org Some restrictions may apply Looking for effective marketing with measurable results at an affordable price? We Can Help. Direct Mail • Email • Social Delivering results since 1992 Rockland, ME | (207) 596-6203 Visit Our Website to Learn More www.TargetMaine.com/mainebiz Colby College buys two downtown Waterville buildings Colby College purchased two vacant buildings in downtown Waterville that are being touted as candidates for redevelopment. Ruth Jacobs Jackson, Colby College's vice president for communications, confirmed in an email to Mainebiz that the college bought the long-vacant Hains Building at 173 Main St. on July 22 for $220,000 and the former Levine's cloth- ing store building at 9 Main St. on July 10 for $200,000. Jackson said the acquisitions are an outgrowth of Colby President David A. Greene's ongoing meetings with city officials, business leaders, downtown orga- nizations and community advocates "to identify strategies that will contribute to existing revitalization and economic development efforts." Although no firm plans are in place, Jackson noted the group Greene has been meeting with has identified key priorities for Waterville's downtown, includ- ing, she wrote, "potentially, a boutique hotel, more retail establishments and restaurants, residential space, leveraging the city's existing strengths in the arts and connecting Main Street to the Hathaway complex … These two sites, essentially at the center and south end of downtown Main Street, align well with these priorities." Asked how the purchase might fit into Colby's long-range vision and its relationship with downtown Waterville, Jackson replied: "Colby and Waterville have been partners for two centuries. With the College's move from downtown to Mayflower Hill — made possible by Waterville residents — the physical dis- tance increased. We are looking to bridge that distance through programs and initiatives that will get more students, faculty and staff into the city center and contributing more to the local economy and arts scene. We hope this infusion of energy will catalyze additional economic growth and ultimately make Waterville more of a destination for people from the region and beyond." Nate Rudy, executive director of Waterville Creates!, a nonprofit consortium of various Waterville arts and cultural groups, said the acquisitions affirm a decade-long effort to make Waterville a destination for arts and culture. Rudy, who also is a commercial real estate broker in Waterville and central Maine, cited as other examples of investments that are driving Waterville's rebirth: Colby College Art Museum's new $15 million Alfond-Lunder Family Pavilion wing that opened in 2013 and features a world-class collection of more than 500 works of art donated by the Lunder family. Waterville Opera House's $5 million renovation project completed in 2012. Waterville Public Library's $3 million expansion, which includes a Business, Career & Creativity Center. Maine Film Center, which purchased the Railroad Square Cinema in December 2012 to create a permanent home for the Maine International Film Festival as well as a venue for additional year-round film and arts programming. — J A M E S M C C A R T H Y P H O T O / G O O G L E M A P S The former Levine's clothing store building at 9 Main St. is one of two downtown Waterville buildings purchased by Colby College.

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