The site of a former elementary school has found a new purpose as housing for older adults in Fryeburg, Maine.
The new Snow School Apartments is a prime example of how unused public property can be turned into an essential community resource, according to developer Avesta Housing, the largest nonprofit affordable housing provider in Northern New England.
The new housing is on the site of the former Charles A. Snow School, an elementary that was shuttered in 2017. Avesta purchased the property from the town of Fryeburg and developed 28 new homes for people 55 and older on the site.
A grand opening is scheduled for Oct. 23.
“Twenty-three percent of Maine’s population is made up of older adults—more than any other state in the United States—and many of them are struggling to afford a safe, quality, affordable home,” said Avesta Housing president and CEO Rebecca Hatfield. “Snow School Apartments provides that housing stability and provides its residents with a place to age in place with dignity and in comfort.”
The building was designed by CWS Architecture + Interior Design and built by Optimum Construction Co. More than two dozen local subcontractors and suppliers were involved in the development.
Snow School Apartments was developed by Avesta Housing at a cost of $9.7 million. Several funding sources were involved, including Maine Housing, which provided low-income housing tax credits as well as construction and permanent financing. WNC was the tax credit syndicator. Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission, Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, Norway Savings Bank, and Avesta Housing Silver Hearth Fund also provided key financing.
