Building Business: For Great Falls Construction, Biddeford school project kicks off busy fall

RENDERING / Mobile Design Studio Shown is a rendering of the Biddeford Primary School expansion, which Great Falls Construction is handling.

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By Peter Van Allen

It’s already been a busy fall for Great Falls Construction.

Joey Smith, head of business development and communications, reports that the Gorham-based firm had three groundbreakings in September and has some other projects in full swing.

In Biddeford, the firm is managing construction of the addition to the primary school. The plan is to add a wing to Biddeford Primary School, which will create a more stable academic environment and reduce transitions between schools for preK–2 students. The project is expected to provide long-term savings for taxpayers by closing the aging John F. Kennedy School, which is showing its age after 70 years.

The expansion is being funded through a $9 million construction bond. The addition is believed to be a less expensive alternative to renovating JFK, which could have cost as much as $16 million.

“We say yes to projects like this. We say yes to new people enrolling in our schools, we say yes to 12 straight years of enrollment growth, and we say yes to adding on to our schools. We say yes to opportunity and optimism. Thank you to our community for saying yes,” Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman said at the groundbreaking.

Construction of the expansion is expected to be completed by fall 2025, at which time the John F. Kennedy School will be closed, and all preK–2 students will attend Biddeford Primary School.

At 186 Main St. in Auburn, Great Falls broke ground on a mixed-use building that will include 18 apartment units as well as 6,500 square feet that could be used for craft brewer and/or restaurant as well as retail.

In Hollis, Great Falls is managing construction of the new municipal office building. The overall cost of the building will be $7.5 million. Custom Concepts Inc., of Scarborough, is the architect.

A few other Great Falls projects are further along

An addition to the Portland Sea Dogs clubhouse. Lavallee Brensinger Architects was responsible for the design.
In Kezar Falls, Oxford County, construction of a drinking water facility.
An addition to Casco Federal Credit Union’s headquarters on Main Street in Gorham.
Fit-out of the Empeople Credit Union space at 145 Main St. in Biddeford.
An addition for the Biddeford Center of Technology.
Finally, in Westbrook, the firm is finishing up the Stacy M. Symbol Apartments, a 55-and-over community with 60 units.