PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Residents along Academy Street in Presque Isle can soon expect to see the demolition of a building that sits in front of Northern Light AR Gould Hospital (formerly TAMC).
The hospital has owned the property, known as Academy House, for 35 years. Dr. Raymond Giberson originally used the house as his office location when he was a practicing surgeon. The hospital purchased the land and the building from the Gibersons in 1983.
Over the years, Academy House has served many purposes, primarily as a conference and meeting area not just for the hospital but for local community organizations as well. More recently, the building served as a temporary space for the AR Gould employee gym. Various employees over the years have also used apartment space in the building as a temporary home.
In the past two years, the building has seen little use as it needs substantial repairs.
“After careful evaluation, we determined that we will be better served to demolish the building and clear the trees around the property so that we can develop a parking lot in the location in the spring,” said Greg LaFrancois, AR Gould president.
“Parking at the hospital is in high demand, and this is really the only feasible space to be able to expand and to better meet the needs of our patients and visitors,” LaFrancois said.
Hospital officials said Nov. 15 that Soderberg Construction planned to begin staging their equipment at the end of the week, and expected to begin demolition on Monday, Nov. 19. The timing may be adjusted to accommodate the weather.
Submitted by the Communications Office of Northern Light AR Gould Hospital.
