ROCKLAND — Members of the McLain School Re-use Committee are sending out Requests for Qualifications as a step toward finding the next city-approved developer of the 170-year-old building.

In the process of finding that developer and handing the reins “there are significant challenges,” said committee member Kathy Lane,” during a status-update presentation to City Council, March 4. “This will not be a simple project. It will not be short, and it will be complicated.”

Therefore, the committee would like to know: Who is interested in renovating the space, and for what future usage? How would they complete the renovation? And can they get the financial backing necessary to proceed?

Currently used as office space for RSU 13 school administration, the building is expected to return to Rockland usage this autumn. And, though the city, and the neighborhood, want a say in how it will be used in the future, the City intends to sell the property.

RSU 13 turned the building back over to the city, and the committee has been tasked with deciding its future.

Since April, 2018, the McLean School Task Force has met bi-weekly, pooling together a variety of professional backgrounds as they seek the best usage for the building at 28 Lincoln Street and its co-parcel, a vacant lot at 82 Summer Street. The proposed renovation must also be in keeping with the rest of the historic neighborhood between Broadway and Union streets.

The committee have spoken to developers who’ve converted rental and condominium units. They’ve talked to real estate agents about what’s buying and selling in the area. They’ve toured other buildings converted from former schools, including those in Augusta and Bath, as well as next door at the former high school, now an art and culture center with it’s own proposal to add living space. They’ve also heard from Nate Davis of the Steel House regarding local demand for shared work space environments.

“There’s a level of excitement now, [within the committee] having seen the possibilities – of things that could be,” Lane said.

But then, the sobering realities.

The McLain School, built in 1894 and used as a middle school until 1996, doesn’t have the traditional center hallway with rooms on either side. Instead, each of the structure’s three primary levels were created with foyers in the center and classrooms on three sides.

“This makes a big difference for developers who use historic tax credits [Federal: 20 percent and State: 25 percent], and need to maintain the initial footprint of each floor,” Lane said. “This makes the design much more challenging.”

Developers have told them that the site cannot be high-end or luxury condominiums since the location does not provide water views or other amenities desired by condo owners.

Capital for some projects, according to City Councilor Valli Geiger, can require upwards of $12 million.

Developers have said that 22 to 25 units can be housed within the brick masonry, yet the sky-rocketing cost of building materials, along with a short supply of labor and limitations of how much renters are capable of paying, keep certain projects unattainable.

Yet, there are options for the building and its high windows that bring in lots of sun during the day, according to committee member Rodney Lynch.

Many tax credit programs are available, including combining that federal and state historic tax credit for a total of 45 percent. Maine Housing Authority is a very competitive program providing tax credits for low-income housing. Municipal tax increment financing allows cities to designate TIF districts, and Community Bloc Development housing assistance helps fund the renovation of non-residential structures into housing.

“Happily, Maine Housing Authority sees Knox County as one of the most stretched in terms of affordable housing,” said Geiger. “Happily, the governor has just released a $15 million bond for senior housing.”

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com