230 Penobscot, the building we at Our Katahdin fondly call the “Green Monster,” is about to get a major facelift.

Our Katahdin purchased the abandoned 10,000 square foot building in the fall of 2016 for $2,000. In an effort to help revitalize the downtown corridor, we selected the baddest, ugliest building and are committed to cleaning it up and building a space for beautiful things to happen. It may look like not much has happened since we purchased the building, but if you peek in the windows, you’ll notice some major changes.

In the summer of 2017, Our Katahdin replaced all four roofs and repaired soggy rafters. Grant funds from Bangor Savings Bank and KARE helped cover the costs. Our Katahdin also took out a loan, and Board members pitched in to cover the full $110,000 investment. Ray Streams, Paul Carney, and Dave Dewitt did a heroic job of removing debris, old hangers, boxes of newspapers and other odds and ends from three floors. We’ve donated clothing racks and shelving to many local businesses, including Moose Drop In, Katahdin General, and Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. The first and second floors are now empty and ready for clean-up!

Right now, with the help of TRC Solutions, an environmental consulting firm, we have bids out to contractors for the mold, asbestos and lead paint removal. Over the next month, we will select a contractor and begin clean-up with funds from the Brownfields grant from the EPA. Clean-up will begin in early January. Don’t be surprised by the workers walking around in Haz-Mat suits. They are being safe and following health and safety protocols. There may be a large dumpster on the street in front of the building. (Don’t worry--this will happen AFTER the Millinocket Marathon!) Any materials that go into the dumpster will be sealed and not dangerous to people walking nearby. The interior clean-up is expected to take 4-6 weeks. Once it is finished, the building will be mold and asbestos free!

Exterior work will begin next spring. The ugly siding will be removed and we will uncover the beautiful windows on the second floor. The asbestos siding underneath the metal siding will be abated. As part of this process, we will rebuild a new facade to the building and give it a much-needed facelift. Stay tuned for more information about the spring work, designs for the new facade and the exciting plans we have for the inside.