LINCOLN — For $2,000, the town has voted to give a prime piece of commercial property to a local couple in exchange for a $305,000 development project.
The project proposed by Kevin and Lucinda Olsen includes construction of a health and fitness center.
The Olsens’ plan to start construction soon after May 1, 1995, and expect the new center to be operational by late 1995. Initially, they hoped to begin construction this year. Part of the project requires running a new sewer line across Route 2, but it cannot be done now because of an Oct. 1 restriction on digging up the road. That restriction will be lifted May 1.
The new fitness center project includes the construction of a 66-by-82-foot building. Olsen hopes to add a 20-by-50-foot addition to the rear of the new center a year later.
The center will employ four to six people on a permanent basis and several people part time.
With a 4-3 vote, the Town Council Monday voted to accept the Olsens’ bid. Councilors Diana Johnston, Jim Trask and John Weatherbee opposed it.
The arrangement with the Olsens calls for the developer to construct a building with a value of at least $200,000 and complete the project within 24 months from the date the deed is signed. The town has the right to solicit an independent appraisal.
Some council members wanted to know whether the deed provisions would include providing an abutting landowner, who owns property behind the proposed project, a right of way. Interim Town Manager Cheryl Russell cautioned the council about creating another traffic congestion problem in that area. Some council members said there was other access to the rear property through the so-called Access Road.
Much like Bangor did to entice developers to its Waterworks property, Lincoln officials sought proposals for the 114-by-400-foot-deep commercial lot.
The council agreed that proposals should address the following criteria:
The number of permanent jobs created.
The amount of cash, if any, to be offered for the lot.
The intended use of the property, including the type and estimated cost of construction.
The proposed method of financing along with a letter of commitment from a lending institution.
The type of permits required and qualifications to meet the standards.
When the Nov. 21 deadline came for proposals, the Olsens’ bid was the only one received by the town.
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