Biddeford Housing Authority purchases Temple Street property in Saco

SACO — A long vacant historic home will get a new life from a local agency that provides housing to low and moderate income families.

The City Council on Monday night unanimously approved the sale of 90 Temple St. to Biddeford Housing Authority.

Under the terms of the agreement, Biddeford Housing Authority will pay the city $1,000 and will give the city use of an apartment to provide emergency housing through its General Assistance program.

The Biddeford Housing Authority in conjunction with Southern Maine Affordable Housing, owns multiple properties in Biddeford, totaling more than 120 units of affordable housing, and also provides housing vouchers to people in Saco, Biddeford, Old Orchard Beach and neighboring communities. Guy Gagnon, executive director of Biddeford Housing Authority, said at Monday’s meeting that the organization wants to branch out and own property in Saco, and saw the property at 90 Temple St. as a good opportunity. The plan is to refurbish the building at 90 Temple St. and create four apartment units, with one of those reserved for the city.

The city acquired the property at 90 Temple St. in 2016 after a tax foreclosure. On the property is a three-story, 1890 Queen Anne style home with attached carriage house that is on the National Register of Historic Places. The total square footage of the carriage house and home is 7,600 square feet, with about 4,000 square feet of living area, according to city records. The land is valued at about $78,000, according to city records.

The home had extensive damage after a 2012 fire, and further damage as sections of the home have been left open to the elements, with tarp covering areas of the roof destroyed by the fire.

“Our plan for 90 Temple is to use historic rehab funds and or any other sources available in order to bring the building back up to its former glory while combining historic features with modern amenities and safety features,” wrote Gagnon in his application letter to the city.

Biddeford Housing Authority plans to spend $648,500 on renovating the building and landscaping the property, according to the budget it sent with its bid application.

Director of Planning and Development Denise Clavette said the city received two inquiries on the property, and Biddeford Housing Authority submitted the only complete bid application.

“I totally believe at this point in time, given the economy, given what’s going on with COVID-19, this is a great opportunity that the city needs to capitalize on,” she said.

Councilor Nathan Johnston said given that the city had owned the property for four years and it had been vacant for eight years, and that it would be helping people in need, Biddeford Housing Authority’s proposal was a good deal.

“It’s really a win/win,” said Johnston.

Gagnon said that the Biddeford Housing Authority has an agreement in Biddeford that in lieu of paying taxes, it makes a payment to the city based on income generated form the property, and it would like to have a similar arrangement in Saco.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at [email protected].