AUBURN — Councilors appeared largely receptive to a proposal that would turn a vacant Mill Street property into a resource center, but the building would need an estimated $850,000 in upgrades.

However, according to a staff proposal, the bulk of the costs could be covered by using unallocated American Rescue Plan Act funds and grant funding, and the ongoing operating costs would be minimized through rent payments.

The plan, if approved, would use the 15,000-square-foot building to house the Community Development and General Assistance offices alongside local nonprofits working to secure housing and other essentials for homeless and those in need.

Staff said under the proposal, the Pleasant Street Drop-in Center, which operates two days per week from the First Universalist Church, would instead use the Mill Street building for its drop-in center.

Kevin Boilard, known for operating Kaydenz Kitchen in Lewiston, is a homeless outreach coordinator for Auburn. He interacts with occupants of encampments, attempting to connect them with services and housing.

He said one of the biggest challenges is “the consistency of connection,” and that having a place that could be a hub and “a consistent point of contact for those resources would be one of the most drastic positive changes that the city of Auburn could be doing right now.”

According to Mayor Jeff Harmon, the council will likely take up the issue at its July 1 meeting. Officials will be asked to approve the use of 121 Mill St. and the reallocation of ARPA funds toward the project.

During an initial workshop discussion Monday, several councilors appeared to support the idea, but several questions still remained.

Councilor Adam Platz said the council will have to first decide whether it wants to keep ownership of the building, and if the answer is yes, then decide whether a resource center is the best use of it. Platz said he believes both answers should be yes.

“I think this building is perfect for these services,” he said, arguing that with ongoing revenue from rents, the city could maintain the building with limited costs.

“Aggregated services is something both cities have been talking about for years, but haven’t done,” said Councilor Rick Whiting.

Others questioned the finances of keeping the building, including potentially negotiating higher rents with organizations who will use the renovated space.

The former Great Falls Marketing building has been involved in previous talks for establishing a temporary warming center during the winter, but has not yet been utilized.

The city houses its Community Development and General Assistance offices in rented space at 95 Main St., across from Festival Plaza, and shares the offices with several nonprofits, including Rumford Group Homes, Community Concepts, and Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services.

Glen Holmes, director of business and community development, outlined the estimated costs to get the building operational. He said the building would need roughly $811,000 in renovations for items like HVAC work, a full kitchen, roof and bathroom renovations and a security system. Another $54,000 in site work would be largely for a new fence between the property and the Barker Mill Arms.

Holmes said roughly half the Mill Street building is one big room, which could be used by the drop-in center. The other half, he said, is broken up into smaller rooms and offices.

Shortly after the city bought it, a pipe burst and caused water damage. But Holmes said sheetrock and other material was removed to prevent mold.

Regarding the projected revenue from annual rent, Holmes said, “I honestly believe this is a worst-case scenario. I think we can do better.”

Staff working out of the Main Street office told the council that they have seen recent success in transitioning people into housing from encampments.

Councilor Tim Cowan, stating data from the Androscoggin County homeless response service hub coordinator, said that since September 2023, there were 145 individuals assessed who were living outdoors in Auburn. In the nine months since then, 50 have been housed, he said.

Cowan said those numbers are promising.

“Already we’re looking at a twofold success,” he said.

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