“Tugged from two different directions,” the South Portland City Council hired a consultant Tuesday to help them decide what to do with the Mahoney Middle School building.
The council has received two recommendations for the property and vacant building in Knightville. The Facilities Committee says it should be repurposed as a municipal campus and the Housing Authority hopes to build affordable housing there.
The former Mahoney Middle School and its adjacent field. File photo / Portland Press Herald
Carl Cooke of Frontline Construction Services, who has worked with the city before on school projects, is scheduled to present his findings and recommendation to the City Council on July 2.
“We’re being tugged from two different directions: a great plan by the South Portland Housing Authority, a great plan by the city of South Portland,” Councilor Richard Matthews said at Tuesday’s meeting. “I think that Mr. Cooke brings an objective point of view that we kind of need, and I think it will really guide us in the right direction or at least give us some insight into maybe what direction we should be taking.”
Councilor Elyse Tipton emphasized the importance of analyzing the entire scope of the municipal campus proposal. Ten scenarios were presented to the council by the facilities committee, with a handful rising above the rest. In addition to using Mahoney as a City Hall, options, for example, include renovating or relocating the library and police and fire departments.
While a final price for Cooke’s services has yet to be determined, the city estimates it will be below $10,000.
“We’re spending a minimum amount of money for a professional opinion,” Matthews said, with Councilor Rachael Coleman agreeing.
The council voted unanimously to hire Cooke.
The council normally isn’t asked to approve spending unless it is $100,000 or more, but Morelli said in this case, it was important to hand over the reins to them.
City Manager Scott Morelli said city staff was not involved in the hiring because they have a potential vested interest in the outcome of Cooke’s work – new, consolidated offices. Councilor Natalie West recommended approaching Cooke about the project.
“This was something selected by councilors to make sure there can be a good independent review – both of what the Housing Authority put forward and the Facilities Committee put forward. The less staff involved in that process the better,” Morelli said.
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