The city of Bath is requesting proposals for the development of a lot formerly owned by the YMCA in downtown Bath.
Proposals are due by noon on Tuesday, Feb. 14 — Valentine’s Day.
“I think it could be really exciting to see what goes over there,” said City Council Chairwoman
Mari Eosco when the order was approved in December. “And we’re really in the driver’s seat.”
For over a century, 26 Summer St. was the home of the Bath YMCA. The property was acquired by the city after the YMCA moved to 303 Centre St.
The city council voted to have it demolished in 2011, when a structural evaluation revealed numerous concerns with the building. Demolition occurred the following year and the lot has since sat vacant.
“This property has never been marketed actively,” Director of Economic Development Scott LaFlamme told the council in December.
According to the order approving the request for proposals that the council passed last month, the city has already received inquiries regarding the property.
The currently empty lot sits on Summer Street, across from the Patten Free Library. The .58 acre parcel is within the Historic Overlay District and zoned for Downtown Commercial use. Goals for the property listed in the request include job creation, retail market opportunities and sustainable housing among others. The request goes further to suggest a multi-use building which could possibly house apartments in the upper floors. The city desires a building that can pull visitors to the north end of the downtown while matching its historic character.
The city is not obligated to choose any of the proposals, and it reserves the right to request changes or additional information. The council can also extend the time period for receiving submissions.
“You’re only authorizing the request for proposals to go out, and then you’re going to look at what the proposals are,” City Manager Bill Giroux told the City Council. “You could pick none.”
More information can be found by contacting LaFlamme at City Hall.
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