The proposal to demolish a vacant building at 99 Western Ave. to make way for a new building with 11 studio apartments and 27 one-bedroom apartments is also sparking discussion about need to make the busy four-lane road safer for pedestrians and motorists.
The developer of the Stevens Commons site in Hallowell is hoping to build more than three dozen studio and one-bedroom apartments at 99 Western Ave. for people making up to 60% of the area's average income.
2019's Real Estate Insiders featured development across the state, much of it by local people taking the reins and helping spur economic development in their communities.
Officials voted to keep the building under city ownership, to let the food pantry stay, to move the police department into the building and to explore other possible uses.