URGENT UPDATE: Kennebec Savings Bank has just announced plans for a major expansion in Augusta, which includes the construction of a new five-story office building on its property near Memorial Circle. This development is set to accommodate over 100 employees and significantly expand the bank’s main campus, occupying most of the block between Western Avenue, State Street, and Chapel Street.
However, the project faces immediate controversy due to the planned demolition of a historic house at 15 Western Ave., designed by renowned Maine architect John Calvin Stevens in 1899. This decision has sparked opposition among local residents, with many voicing their concerns at a meeting of the Augusta Historic Preservation Commission on Tuesday.
Kennebec Savings Bank’s CEO, Andrew Silby, explained that the new building’s design requires the removal of the historic structure. He outlined the challenges faced in preserving the house, which has been vacant for over 15 months. Silby highlighted that the cost to renovate the house would be nearly $2 million, and moving it was deemed “cost-prohibitive” by contractors.
In response to community concerns, the Preservation Commission has imposed a 60-day delay on the demolition, allowing for negotiations regarding the building’s fate. The house is not located within any of Augusta’s historic districts and is not listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but commission members acknowledged its historical significance.
The urgency of the situation has prompted local developer Richard Parkhurst to publicly offer to purchase and relocate the house, proposing a move to the north end of the rotary. Commission Vice Chair Gerald Bumford stressed the importance of acting quickly, stating, “You’ve got 60 days left before the demolition delay expires. Time is of the essence.”
As the situation unfolds, Kennebec Savings Bank must navigate several approval processes with the city, including zoning changes and height allowances from the Planning Board and City Council. This ongoing development will continue to impact the Augusta community, raising questions about preservation versus progress.
Stay tuned for updates as negotiations progress and the bank’s plans evolve. The fate of the historic house and the expansion project will be closely monitored in the coming weeks.