With $3M bid, Waldo County nonprofit wins buy of Hutchinson Center in Belfast

Photo / Courtesy, University of Maine System The Hutchinson Center is located at 80 Belmont Ave. in Belfast.

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A Waldo County nonprofit that offered $3.06 million for the University of Maine’s Hutchinson Center won out over two other suitors for the Belfast property.

The winning offer, from Waldo County Action Partners, was well above the property’s appraised value of $2.52 million.

The bid also exceeded the other two offers — $1.8 million from the Future of the Hutchinson Center Steering Committee/Waterfall Arts, and $1.1 million from Cavalry Chapel Belfast, which had won a previous auction over the objections of the other two.

Returning to the drawing board, the Orono school launched a second request for proposals.

Round Two resulted in a different outcome. But the two bidders who fell short this time have five business days to file a written appeal, UMaine noted in Friday's announcement.

Like the other two bidders, Waldo County Action Partners has agreed to lease the space currently housing Networkmaine infrastructure back to the University of Maine System, at no cost for at least five years. That will allow UMaine System to maintain internet connectivity for public schools, libraries and other institutions along the midcoast.

Additionally, WCAP demonstrated proof of funds, and its top-scoring proposal did not include contingencies that could delay a timely transition of the property, UMaine noted. The university anticipates the deal could be completed by early 2025.

As is standard with UMaine System solicitations, the university has the right to terminate negotiations at any point if they are not proceeding in the interest of UMS as a public institution.

The Hutchinson Center property, donated by the Bank of America in 2007, includes a 30,515-square-foot main building, a 1,963-square-foot barn and 11.6 acres of land.