Great Falls Construction

The 22,600-square-foot addition at 320 Hill St., will add 16 classrooms and consolidate grades pre-K through 2 into one building.

“This project fuels regional growth by paving the way for expanded service that will benefit businesses, commuters, visitors and our communities across Greater Portland,” said one observer.

The old town hall was razed to make way for the much larger 18,500 square-foot facility.

New construction across the state includes school expansion in Cumberland, a new hotel in Bridgton, additional showroom and service space for a car dealer in Brunswick and affordable housing for seniors in Gray.

The $35 million project includes a 76,700-square-foot school for the youngest students and renovations to the existing elementary school, which will include the addition of 6,300 square feet of classroom space.

“There is no question the region can and will support additional businesses,” the owners said. “Build it and they will come.”

The two brick buildings were constructed in 1864 for mill worker housing and were later converted into affordable apartments.

Car dealer Adam Arens used a business connection to secure the land needed for the Patriot Acura dealership in Scarborough. But the project still took six years.

The Double A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox team will fund part of the cost with $2 million in public tax credits spread over 15 years.

Yarmouth-based Estabrook’s nursery and garden centers has completed a state-of-the-art commercial greenhouse in Pownal.