Former Biddeford courthouse could become housing

The former and now vacant district courthouse building on Adams Street in Biddeford could soon come back to life as a new housing project.

State Rep. Traci Gere (D-Biddeford, Kennebunk) is the House chair of the Legislature’s Housing Committee, and she is also the lead sponsor of a bill that would transform three former courthouse buildings in southern Maine into much-needed housing inventory.

The former district courthouse in Biddeford, along with former courthouse buildings in Springvale and York, was vacated last year when the state moved their operations into a new consolidated court building on Elm Street.

According to Gere, she was asked by Governor Janet Mills to introduce the bill that would basically turn over ownership of the three properties to local, non-profit housing agencies in each of the three communities.

Guy Gagnon, executive director of the Biddeford Housing Authority, testified in support of the bill earlier last week.

“These opportunities don’t come along very often,” Gagnon said. “When you look at this proposal, the stars are all basically aligned.”

According to Gagnon, the former courthouse on Adams Street has “good bones” and would be relatively easy to convert into housing. The building was constructed in 1997 and is located in the core of the downtown, just across the street from city hall.

Gere says the state is now spending an estimated $320,000 per year to simply maintain the three vacant properties.

“We all know that Maine – southern Maine, in particular – is facing a housing crisis,” Gere said. “This plan will provide some relief by being creative and opening up possibilities to develop much-needed housing.

“It’s the ultimate win-win scenario,” she added. “It’s a win for the state because we will no longer have to maintain those buildings and we increased efficiency by consolidating those services. It’s also a win for the local housing authorities that are always seeking opportunities to develop more housing; and it’s win for the communities that will see those buildings come back to life as much needed housing.”

Gagnon said he toured the Adams Street building recently. “It’s an ideal location,” he said. “It’s also quite rare for us to be presented with such a solid property that’s in really good shape.”

Gagnon says he does not have a specific plan or idea about what kind of housing would fit best for that particular facility.

 “We have an opportunity here to be really creative,” he said.

The building comes with a few parking spaces located behind the building. Both Gere and Gagnon pointed to the building’s location as “ideal” because it is in an area that is also served by public transportation.

“It’s a location that is within easy walking distance to restaurants, retailers and other businesses,” Gere said. “So, it’s also a win for downtown businesses and another boost for the ongoing story of the downtown’s revitalization.”

The bill received strong bipartisan support at the committee level, Gere said. The bill will now go to the full House for a vote in the next few days. From there, the bill will be considered by the Maine State Senate.

Within just a few days, the bill could land at the governor’s desk for her signature.

Gere said the Legislature is scheduled for its final adjournment on April 17. Any new laws enacted by the Legislature will go into effect three months after the adjournment date.

Randy Seaver is a cranky, nearly insufferable malcontent living in Biddeford. He is a retired newspaper editor and the principal of a small strategic communications consulting firm.