Courtrooms to Bedrooms
- January 3rd 2025
- City News
The former Maine District Court building at 447 Main Street, Springvale
Photo: Lee Burnett
By: Kendra Williams
Plans are underway to convert the former Springvale District Courthouse into 18 housing units for adults aged 55 and older. Located on Main Street near the square, these units aim to address a pressing need: providing affordable housing for individuals who earn too much for subsidies but cannot afford market-rate rents.
In December, the Sanford Housing Authority acquired ownership of the courthouse for one dollar. This transaction was part of Maine’s Department of Administrative and Financial Services’ initiative to repurpose three vacant York County courthouses for affordable housing. These courthouses, formerly in Biddeford, Springvale and York, became vacant after York County courts consolidated into the York Judicial Center in Biddeford.
Before acquiring the property, the SHA collaborated with CWS Architects to evaluate the building’s potential and develop strategies to address challenges such as low insulation levels and large interior spaces lacking windows. The current plan is to transform the building into 18 housing units tailored to meet the needs of middle-income adults aged 55 and older. To ensure affordability, the project will focus on households earning up to $54,840, which currently is 80% of the area’s median income (AMI).
According to its Executive Director, Diane Small, “the Sanford Housing Authority is committed to addressing the critical need for affordable housing in our community. Renovating the Springvale Courthouse to provide housing for residents at 80% AMI is an essential step toward ensuring that families and workers can afford to live and thrive in Sanford. This project reflects our dedication to supporting economic development by creating a stronger, more inclusive community.”
Small intends to submit a grant application to Maine’s Rural Rental Affordable Housing Program in January. This grant would provide crucial funding for the project’s development. When asked about the application’s prospects, Small expressed optimism about securing the grant, though no definitive timeline for project completion has been established.
