BELFAST -  After a long dormancy, the former Peirce Elementary School showed signs of life this week as the new owners began work on the 100-year old brick building.

As of Oct. 30, that meant winterizing as much as possible.

What comes next remains to be seen, but Mark Crockett and Jake McClure — two of four principals in the ownership group Midcoast Development LLC — said there’s a good chance the building will be eventually be converted into high-end residences.

“I’d like to tell you concise plans” Crockett said, “but right now it’s saving [the building] before winter.”

Crockett was involved in the recent renovation of the former Lincoln Street Center (previously Rockland High School). He described Midcoast Development LLC as a group of partners and investors that aims to preserve and restore historic Midcoast buildings and farms.

He was also quick to stress that the investment group is not a nonprofit.

The Peirce School operated from 1915 to 2003 when it was consolidated with two other Belfast elementary schools under the roof of the newly-constructed Captain Albert Stevens School.

The stately two-story building was home to The Walsingham Academy (later Belfast Christian School) for two years and in 2007 was sold to William Ryan based on his proposal to create the Belfast Academy of Music. The Academy operated for several years but Ryan closed the doors in 2011 citing financial difficulties.

The city passed up a buyback option included in the deed to Ryan, and for a time the building was for sale on the private market. Ryan was foreclosed upon earlier this year by James McClelland, who financed the original purchase of the school.

McClelland put the property out to auction in August where it netted a high bid of $220,000 from an attorney representing Midcoast Development LLC.

The old schoolhouse lies within an area zoned for residences and professional offices but also could also be subject to a number of uses under the city’s contract zoning provisions.

Crockett and McClure said the partners of Midcoast Development LLC will likely divide the building into two or three apartments, possibly duplexes.

But securing the building for the rapidly approaching winter is the first priority according to McClure. A list of basic improvements includes insulation, replacing windows and installing a new gas heating system.

“The old steam radiators went out with the yo-yo,” said McClure.

As natives of the Midcoast area, Crockett and McClure said they are not only interested in refurbishing the building, but also connecting with the community.

On Thursday, they are inviting children and their parents to drop by the old Peirce School for healthy — and tasty, McClure promised — Halloween treats.

In addition, McClure said that come holiday season, the owners will be working with Waldo Wings of Love — an organization that provides low income families with gifts, clothing and other necessities.

“We want to be a positive presence in the community,” he said. “Belfast is a great town with a lot of heart and spirit and cheer and we hope to be a part of that.”

Wes Sterrs contributed additional reporting for this article

Ethan Andrews can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com