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Former SoPo school could be converted to offices, art space and other uses

Mahoney Middle School is an old brick buildng. File Photo / Courtesy City of South Portland The South Portland City Council has worked out a concept for the former Mahoney Middle School, to house certain municipal offices, as well as performing arts space, a gymnasium and lecture/meeting spaces.
By Laurie Schreiber

After six years of discussion, the South Portland City Council has worked out a concept for the former Mahoney Middle School, with an eye toward using the property to house certain municipal offices, as well as performing arts space, a gymnasium and lecture and meeting spaces.

The council is inviting members of the community to serve on a volunteer ad hoc Mahoney City Center committee that will create a plan to transform the property into a vibrant civic and cultural hub. 

“The Mahoney School served our community for generations,” said Mayor Richard Matthews. “Now we have an opportunity to transform Mahoney into a space that will serve current and future generations while also solving the serious facilities issues we face.”

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The council voted last September for the city to pursue the concept and approved a $74 million municipal campus proposal for the facility.

History 

Mahoney Middle School, at 240 Ocean St., closed in 2023 and the property became available after the new South Portland Middle School opened last fall on Wescott Road. 

The building dates to the 1920s. The Greater Portland Landmarks named the building to its "Places in peril" list in 2017.

Located on a 15-acre lot, the Beaux Arts structure was originally South Portland High School, and served as the city’s junior high school in the 1950s. Later, it became Mahoney Middle School, named after Daniel J. Mahoney, a longtime principal at South Portland High.

The building totals 94,000 square feet. Features include symmetrical window pattern, a decorative sill, simple entablature openings, Doric pilasters and a flat roof with a detailed parapet. It was designed by the Maine architectural firm Miller & Mayo.

It sits at the corner of a major transportation route into parts of South Portland and Cape Elizabeth.

Repurposing

Offices currently located at City Hall, the Hamlin Building, the Assessing Building and the Main Library would be housed at Mahoney. 

A performing arts space, gymnasium and lecture and meeting spaces could also be part of the conversion. 

Voters will determine whether the plan moves forward in a bond referendum tentatively scheduled for November 2026.

The committee will comprise 19 voting members. Responsibilities will include facilitating communication with the public, advising the council on certain design elements, assisting with the development of a funding plan and providing a recommendation to the council on a final design, cost estimate and funding plan to be sent to voters.

The council will make appointments to the committee during its March 18 meeting. Interested applicants must apply by March 5. 

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