The owner of the Lockwood Mills in Waterville is asking the city’s Planning Board for an extension on plans to convert the mill closest to the Ticonic Bridge, seen at right in August, into residential and commercial space. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel file
WATERVILLE — The Planning Board is expected Tuesday consider reapproving plans for a more-than-$30 million project to develop apartments and commercial uses at the former Lockwood Mill at 6 Water St.
The board previously approved plans for apartments in that building and development of the adjacent former Lockwood Mill at 8 Water St., but the owner, North River Co., based in New York City, wants to extend the time for approval, according to City Planner Ann Beverage.
“There’s a time cap on our projects,” Beverage said Monday. “By ordinance, you’re supposed to start construction within a year and complete it in two years. They’re just asking for an extension.”
Mariah Monks, a director at North River, said in August the mill plans call for 65 apartments on upper floors of the southernmost wing of 6 Water St., the building closest to Ticonic Bridge. The units would all be considered affordable housing that’s tied to local median income.
The project early this year was projected to cost more than $20 million, but Monks said in August it was expected to run more than $30 million. She said North River was working to close on financing with the Maine State Housing Authority, known as MaineHousing, and would begin construction soon afterward.
Garvan Donegan, director of planning, innovation and economic development for Central Maine Growth Council, which has been working with North River, said the company has been successful in accounting for some cost increases for the project.
“The plan is still moving forward,” Donegan said Monday.
The southernmost wing of the building at 6 Water St. would be developed as part of a first project phase, and the wing parallel to Water Street would be done later, according to Monks. The cost and details of the second phase have yet to be determined.
Redevelopment of the 66,000-square-foot, two-story building at 8 Water St. could be done as part of phase two, according to Monks. Details of plans for that building are not finalized.
The third North River building, the Hathaway Creative Center at 10 Water St., was developed several years ago and has 67 apartments on upper floors and office, retail and commercial space on the lower floors.
In other matters, the Planning Board is scheduled to consider a request from Trafton Properties LLC to reapprove a plan to build a 120,000-square-foot commercial building at 4 Trafton Road.
Donegan, who has been working with Trafton, said Monday the building is for a business that would do value-added precision manufacturing. While Donegan said he could not yet identify the business, “value-added” means taking a product or a resource and turning it into something more than its original state.
Trafton Properties is also scheduled to request approval to build a 41,233-square-foot, 117-space parking lot with associated driveways and storm water facilities at 977 West River Road.
In another item, Trafton Properties is expected to request an informal preapplication review for a three-lot minor subdivision on Trafton Road.
The Planning Board meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday at The Elm at 21 College Ave. Those wanting to view the meeting remotely or take part may do so through links on the city’s website — www.waterville-me.gov.
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