CEI plans to sell downtown buildings

Tue, 06/03/2014 - 7:15am

Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI) will be putting all three of its downtown Wiscasset buildings on the market, the nonprofit’s founder and chief executive officer Ronald Phillips said.

The plans to sell the three, known as Port Wiscasset and the Haggett and Tucker buildings, are part of CEI’s consolidation into a new headquarters in Brunswick. The Brunswick Planning Board approved the project on May 27. The building is expected to be ready to occupy in summer 2015, Phillips said in a telephone interview June 3.

“We’re set to go,” he said.

CEI announced plans for the Brunswick move in August 2013.

About five employees, possibly more, of CEI’s current Wiscasset staff of about 50 will stay on in a Wiscasset office, possibly in leased space in one of the buildings planned for sale, Phillips said in Tuesday’s interview. Another possibility might be to retain part-ownership in one of the buildings, he said.

Whichever way the office space is secured, CEI will maintain a presence in town,  Phillips said.

“Lincoln County is our historical home and in effect our birthplace. We’re very active in the community ... and we remain committed to that.”

As for the properties, Phillips said they could add to the town’s retail base. “Wiscasset has a certain charm and attraction for the tourist economy and year-round, so hopefully our buildings will serve a greater purpose than office space or only office space.”

CEI provides businesses with financing and consulting services.

The multiple spaces inside CEI’s Wiscasset buildings might be able to house a number of different types of businesses accessible without stepping outside, “almost like a mini mall,” Wiscasset Selectmen’s Chairman Ed Polewarczyk said on June 3.

“And there’s enough accommodations so that there are some interesting opportunities there, I think.”

Wiscasset Town Planner Misty Parker said retail, office, housing or other uses are possible; Parker would like to see the properties’ future uses create new jobs to replace the ones Wiscasset is losing in CEI’s move.

The properties’ entry onto the market will be an opportunity for them to have their highest and best use, Parker said on June 3.