Lewiston amends lease agreement for new police station as costs rise

Apr. 16—LEWISTON — The city amended its lease agreement Tuesday with Tom Platz ahead of the completion of a new police headquarters at Bates Mill No. 7.

Officials amended the lease in response to a higher price tag than anticipated for renovating the building into a police station. The cost of the building rehabilitation, once estimated at $12 million, is now expected to cost $15.16 million.

According to a council memo, the process to turn the office building and former mill into a police station — or "Category 4" building — has led to "considerable cost overruns."

Acting City Administrator Brian O'Malley said Category 4 buildings, designated as essential facilities, come with stringent code requirements to "ensure that the building remains operational during major disasters."

During construction, Platz said those requirements led to considerable challenges, including issues with piledriving, where crews faced $50,000 broken drill bits, an underground lake and more.

The cost increase will shift the city's monthly lease payment from $82,547 to $115,993.

Platz said when the original lease agreement was signed, attorneys on both sides missed language related to the project's use of historic tax credits. Due to that, the new lease agreement will be for nine years, with the option for the city to extend three times for a total of 27 years.

Platz said the city desires to own the police station in the coming years, and the lease was initially signed in order for the project to utilize the historic tax credits.

The city initially entered into the agreement with Platz in 2022 after a building assessment was conducted at the current police station building at 171 Park St. in 2021. That study recommended renovations, demolition or building a new police headquarters, which at the time were estimated between $36 million and $38 million.

The department was initially slated to move into the new building this summer.

According to the council memo, the city has been notified by its electrical contractor that the main supply switch for the new police station at Mill No. 7 has an expected delivery date of Nov. 20.

"Our intent is to have the building fully completed and operating on temporary power well before that date so that the department can install all new furnishings and equipment available," it states, adding that the city has requested "being moved up in the process due to the 'critical operations' of this building."

The council voted unanimously in support of the amended lease agreement.

Housing committee calls on Lewiston and Auburn to collaborate on a permanent shelter

Edward Little High School celebrates new accreditation status