Three unoccupied buildings in Scarborough, Maine, are being prepared for demolition, a report by The Forecaster says. The town-owned buildings are being replaced with a new public safety building.
Before the demolition in September, five Habitat for Humanity volunteers removed nonstructural elements such as light fixtures, cabinets and doors to sell at the ReStore in Portland. Habitat ReStores are home improvement stores and donation centers operated by the Atlanta-based organization. The stores sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, buildings materials and other items to the public for a discounted price.
Andrew Smith, a ReStore manager, says in the report it takes volunteers a day to go through each ouse and remove the materials. The three homes produced items valued at $3,000 to $4,000. The 1930s doors in one home are worth about $200 each but will sell for $25 at the ReStore.
Some plants on the property will also be transplanted, the report says. Someone who once lived in one of the homes will be removing and replanting perennials.
The fire and police departments will also be using the homes for training purposes before they are demolished.
The buildings, two one-story structures and a two-story house, have been town owned since 2006, the report says. The town encouraged residents to come forward and move the buildings before they were demolished, but there were no offers.
According to the report, the proposed 53,000-square-foot replacement building will house police, fire and emergency dispatch. Estimated costs include $17 million and covers the building, site work, new access road and communications tower. Furnishings, equipment and security systems will cost around $2.8 million. A $1.7 million contingency is also built into the plan.