BREAKING: The Mahoney City Center Committee in South Portland has just voted against a stripped-down or phased approach to redeveloping the old Mahoney Middle School building. This decision comes amid escalating costs and mounting concerns over the feasibility of creating a city service hub.
The committee’s rejection of alternative proposals means the original plan, which carries an eye-watering price tag of $193.8 million, remains the only option on the table. If the South Portland City Council does not advance the project as recommended, the committee has requested to explore alternatives for the future of Mahoney and other aging city facilities, which could include either preserving the historic building or demolishing it altogether.
Architect Adam Yothers from the design firm SMRT confirmed that even minimal renovations to move city offices into Mahoney would not significantly reduce costs. “To just paint the walls and move people in really isn’t an option,” he stated, emphasizing the extensive upgrades needed to meet safety and accessibility standards.
Officials estimate that potential savings from a stripped-down version of the project could be around 20% to 30%, but this is not enough to justify the removal of critical facilities, such as a theater, gymnasium, and library. “Just to step foot in Mahoney is going to cost us millions and millions of dollars,” said Councilor Richard Matthews.
Committee member Donald Hopkins expressed his disillusionment after five years of work on the project. “I don’t think Mahoney is a smart investment of public funds at this time,” he remarked, noting that building new could potentially cost $60 million, a significant decrease compared to renovating the current structure.
The committee’s discussion also highlighted the complications of phasing the project. Finance Director Ellen Sanborn pointed out that splitting the project into phases would not alleviate financial burdens. “Even if you split them up three or four years … you don’t have enough time to pay down the debt before taking on the next payment,” she said. Each bond for the project could reach about $100 million under the current plan.
As construction costs rise by approximately 4% to 4.5% annually, delaying the project could lead to even higher expenditures. The City Manager, Scott Morelli, has cautioned that the longer the city waits, the more expensive the project will become.
The City Council is set to vote on the future of this contentious project at its meeting on February 17, 2025. With the committee’s findings now public, residents and stakeholders are bracing for what could be a pivotal moment in the future of South Portland’s community services.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
