Developers Collaborative

MaineHousing has awarded the last of state subsidies to three apartment projects that will create 129 affordable housing units in Lewiston and Portland.

The housing squeeze has resulted in roughly half of workers in both cities commuting close to two hours daily from their homes in more rural areas.

To meet these goals, Maine is going to need further funding and technical support from state government, input and tracking from municipalities, and work at both the state and local level — by community officials and citizens — to streamline the approval process.

Developers Collaborative will oversee the project, at 1125 Brighton Ave., while the nonprofit ProsperityME will be the owner.

The proposal from Developers Collaborative in conjunction with ProsperityME recommends building up to 100 units, primarily for families.

The project will include 33 one-bedroom apartments in a 28,000-square-foot complex at 101 Hancock St. All units are reserved for residents 55 and older.

Developers Collaborative has been repurposing the former site of the Sisters of Mercy convent and McAuley School for Girls on Stevens Avenue in Portland into a new 55-plus community with a mix of housing options, a bustling community center and a new theater.

Equality Commons will be the 25th project Developers Collaborative has built to supply housing for lower-income and senior Mainers. 

A roundup of construction projects around the state involving Developers Collaborative, Penobscot General Contractors, Great Falls Construction and others.

A long-vacant parcel near the Kennebec River is now home to a 32-unit apartment building, Sturgeon Landing.