Photo / Courtesy, LEWISTON HOUSING AUTHORITY
Wedgewood is expected to be ready for leasing in late fall.
Updated: July 18, 2024
Lewiston Housing receives $2.5M for ongoing Tree Streets revitalization
Photo / Courtesy, LEWISTON HOUSING AUTHORITY
Wedgewood, seen here under construction this week in Lewiston, is the Lewiston Housing Authority's project with 82 apartments for families.
A long-term plan to revitalize Lewiston’s Tree Streets neighborhood got another boost with a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Lewiston Housing Authority and the city were awarded the Supplemental Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant.
“This HUD funding is instrumental in our ongoing initiatives to transform Lewiston’s housing options,” said Chris Kilmurry, executive director of Lewiston Housing. “It allows us to advance the construction and redevelopment of affordable and mixed-income housing, ensuring that we effectively meet the needs of our community.”
The 25-year plan developed to transform Lewiston’s Tree Streets neighborhood, called the “Growing Our Tree Streets Transformation Plan,” is underway thanks to a $30 million investment from HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods program.
The first phase of the initiative includes the development of Lewiston Housing’s Wedgewood apartments, expected to be ready for leasing in late fall. The project involves renovation of Wedgewood Mansion and construction of new homes on Pine, Pierce, Bartlett and Walnut streets. There will be 82 rental homes in nine buildings.
The second phase includes the development of Lewiston Housing’s DeWitt complex, with 104 apartments in two buildings and commercial space on the first floor. The complex will be built on Pine Street, across from Kennedy Park, and is expected to break ground in the next few months.
“Addressing Lewiston’s need for safe homes people can afford is critically important to transforming the Tree Streets neighborhood and strengthening our entire city,” said Brian O’Malley, Lewiston’s acting city administrator.
“This supplemental funding directly supports the investments in housing and infrastructure that we need to grow Lewiston into the community we all know is possible.”
Lewiston, and specifically the Tree Streets, have the highest rate of childhood lead poisoning in Maine. Most of the housing stock in the neighborhood requires lead remediation or replacement.
The Choice Neighborhoods award is partially funding the design and construction of 185 new, safe, energy-efficient, mixed-income apartments. Lewiston Housing, in partnership with Avesta Housing, is leading the development efforts.
Of the 185 apartments, 92 are replacement apartments for households whose distressed or aging housing will be demolished or repurposed. The other 93 apartments will be a mix of market-rate and workforce housing apartments.
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