CAMDEN, Maine — A downtown commercial complex is being renovated, with the new owners planning to convert the upper floors into a community for older residents.
Joseph and Paula Goudreau, through KNSM Camden LLC, purchased the three connected buildings in September from Matthew Orne.
The Goudreaus plan to build 32 apartments for people 55 years and older on the second and third floors of the three-story buildings, which run along Mechanic Street beginning at the intersection with Washington Street. Six of the residences will be two-bedroom units and the remaining 26 will have one bedroom.
The Goudreaus operate the nearby Camden Hills Villa, which is like an assisted living facility, Joseph Goudreau said.
“We’ve heard from so many people who want to remain in the community but who do not need that level of assistance,” he said.
The new apartments will allow older residents to stay in Camden, Goudreau said.
“We are excited for the community,” he said.
The mechanical systems — heating and air conditioning — were in poor shape and needed replacement, but the buildings were structurally sound, Goudreau said.
The one-bedroom apartments will lease for $1,950 per month, while the two-bedroom ones will range up to $3,000 per month. The lease will include all utilities, cable television and wireless Internet. The rent also will include continental breakfasts in a central location and a once-a-week cleaning of the apartments.
He said the views from the upper floors are amazing, with the Megunticook River and a waterfall next to the apartments.
Camden Planner and Code Enforcement Officer Steve Wilson said he has issued a permit for renovations to begin on the second and third floors of the complex.
The owners will have to apply and get approval for a subdivision, however, before the apartments can be rented. Wilson said he expects a subdivision application to be filed this month.
The ground floor of the buildings will remain commercial as is required under the town’s zoning laws.
The issue of the potential conversion of the property’s upper floors from commercial to residential use was a source of debate last year by the town’s Select Board, with at least one member concerned about the loss of business space. Board member Leonard Lookner had discussed the possibility of a moratorium on such conversions.
When Orne appeared before the Select Board, he said that there was sufficient business space downtown and that conversion to residential use would assist downtown businesses because those new residents would shop downtown.
Lookner said Monday that the town had considered imposing a moratorium to give the planning board time to look at the issue. But under the changed definition of the zone, he said, “at least the first floors would not become lost to quasi-residential like a hotel lobby or a private dining area for the residents.”