Staff Writer
HOULTON — The Shiretown Development Corporation is looking for a buyer for their property located near the Houlton International Airport before their economic development funds run out.
The SDC directors met Nov. 13 to discuss options for the Houlton International building, which has been draining their bank account since the group of directors purchased the former manufacturing plant for $161,000 in 2004. With less than $33,000 and falling, directors are scurrying to find ways to recoup their losses before it’s too late.
One option that was explored was an offer from one local man to take over the lease of the building. Peter Fitzpatrick came before the SDC to share his business ideas. Fitzpatrick told the directors that he was interested in starting up a small furniture manufacturing business and he felt the Houlton International building suited his plans.
SDC directors didn’t respond well to Fitzpatrick’s presentation, although they did consider keeping his offer as a third option. Fitzpatrick was seeking to lease the building for the same price that the previous company had leased it for. The directors told Fitzpatrick that they were looking for a business that would bring employment to the area and Fitzpatrick’s plan didn’t fit those criteria.
This brought the group back to square one — selling the property or demolishing and selling the steel for scrap.
“I don’t want to own it anymore,” said director Paul Cleary. “Put it out for sale, or put it out for demolition.”
Director Sue Tortello echoed Cleary’s suggestion and asked the SDC chairman to move forward and put it out to bid.
Director John Fitzpatrick was reluctant to see the building change hands and said he thought something else could be done to salvage their efforts of using the property to boost economic development for the town.
“I just don’t want to see it torn down,” said Fitzpatrick.
SDC Chairman Paul Romanelli agreed, but he understood the board’s frustration over their declining finances.
“Beggars can’t be choosers,” said Romanelli.
The SDC board directors discussed the issue for more than an hour before agreeing to putting the sale, and/or scrapping of the property out to bid.
The next SDC meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 26.
