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Saturday, February 11, 2012
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Baxter starts new chapter
The long-awaited restoration of the 121-year-old Baxter Library Building on Congress Street is under way. Developers, architects and Portland officials gathered at the site for Thursday's groundbreaking.
Josh Benthien of Northland Enterprises speaks Thursday at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Baxter Library Building.
John Patriquin /Staff Photographer
The Congress Street building is being renovated to accommodate a new tenant.
John Patriquin /Staff Photographer
Northland Enterprises LLC of Portland will invest $4.5 million to renovate and restore the building – formerly Portland's public library – which will be leased to The VIA Group, a national marketing company now based on Danforth Street in Portland.
A former Portland mayor and philanthropist, James Phinney Baxter, donated the building to the city. It was the city's library until 1979. The Maine College of Art acquired the building in 1983, and used it as classroom space until last year.
The renovation project will seek to preserve some of the building's historic features, including the woodwork and library shelving, while adding features such as historic replica windows. Northland anticipates completing the project by August.
The VIA Group, which hosts clients from across the country, says the building gives it the visibility it needed to remain in the city.
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