From June 12, 2024 Moosehead Lakeshore Journal
By William Tracy
GREENVILLE. – Greenville residents can expect expanded middle-income housing and greater long term community sustainability with Northern Forest Center’s planned construction on a 5-acre Spruce Street lot projected to be complete by 2027.
The site will feature new muti family units, single family homes, townhouses and duplexes to attract prospective young home buyers and their families as part of a greater initiative to bolster Greenville and the Moosehead Lake Region’s economic prospects and workforce.
The estimated $11.5 million project will be the sixth for the Center and the first to require ground up site development, the firm previously conducting development in Millinocket and Bethel as well other projects throughout the country.
Mike Wilson, senior program director at the Center said despite the timely measures associated with such a fresh endeavor, the ends justify the means for the benefit of the Greenville community.
“It’s a big project and will take some time but we’re hopeful on its positive impact,” Wilson said. “We recognize Greenville is an iconic outdoor recreation destination and community in a rural part of the state. It a service hub for a lot of small towns in the area.”
Community leaders echoed Wilson’s sentiments, highlighting the need for foundational housing to host impactful residents who can greater contribute to the town’s future and optimism for their partnership with the Center.
“We found the perfect partner in the Northern Forest Center to develop the Spruce Street property and to provide mid-tier housing in Greenville,” said Margarita Contreni, president of the Moosehead Lake Regional Economic Development Corp. according to the Bangor Daily News. “The Center’s proven track record of partnering with communities with working forests across four states will now benefit Greenville’s people and its economy.”
In addition to the housing benefits, Wilson says the project will be ecologically conscious using mass timber construction with cross lamination and implementing building techniques to minimize carbon footprint, making use of the state’s historical connections to the lumber industry.
The project is in line with state level incentives to develop huge parcels of the Moosehead Lake Region with new housing and infrastructure to create sources of economic opportunity and attract newcomers into the area, recent years seeing the approval from the Land Use Planning Commission of commercial and housing development spanning thousands of acres and multiple townships.
Wilson expressed optimism the Spruce Street project will champion this cause.
“We’re enthusiastic for the opportunity to work with these various partners in Greenville, we’ve had a great experience working with the town,” he said. “ The Center has seen a lot of enthusiasm from the business community as well. We’re ready to dive into this and get to work.”