Town council to provide update to proposed visitor center sale

3 years ago

HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton town council is expected to provide updates to the proposed sale of the Visitor Information Center in Houlton, which serves as a rest area for visitors from Canada and southern Maine as well as a popular gathering place for many town residents. 

Town Manager Marian Anderson said the discussion would be regarding the governor’s deed that grants ownership of the property to the town, as well as looking at estimates of the costs for repairs. It would take place during the town council meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25.

“A year and a half ago, there had been some issues that were brought forward, like the roof repairs and some electrical work,” Anderson said. “And so the council wanted to see the cost estimates on those repairs.”

Houlton took ownership of the center nine years ago after the Maine Department of Transportation announced it planned to close the building in order to save money. The ownership of the property via governor’s deed means that in order to sell the property, the town would have to purchase the land from the state before flipping it to any prospective buyer. 

At a town council meeting held on Dec. 14, the town heard various public comments regarding the proposed sale of the property, with figures such as Maine Tourism Association CEO Tony Cameron voicing support for the center.