The latest artist’s rendering of the Hartley Block project by The Szanton Company out of Portland. The new development will break ground Oct. 1 and fill in a 175-foot section of Lisbon Street in Lewiston left vacant after a fire in 2006.

LEWISTON — Hebert Construction will break ground Oct. 1 on 63 new apartments downtown.

Amy Cullen, development officer with The Szanton Company, said Tuesday they hope to have people moving in to the new Hartley Block units in October 2018.

The $11.8 million project will bring life to a section of Lisbon Street gutted by fire 11 years ago. The project will have a mix of low-income and market rate units as well as 4,000 square feet of retail space at street level from 145-177 Lisbon St.

It faced funding challenges this winter when the market dropped for low-income tax credits, but Cullen said all of the financing has been secured. In the mix is support from the city of Lewiston and MaineHousing.

“We’re very excited and thankful that all of our partners came to the table to get us to this point,” she said.

Hebert Construction of Lewiston won the project over contractors out of Portland, Westbrook and Freeport.

Platz Associates of Auburn is the project architect.

Lincoln Jeffers, Lewiston’s director of economic and community development, said he was happy both that the project would soon be underway and that Hebert would be at the helm.

“Every project I’ve ever done with Hebert Construction involved has been very well executed, on time and they always deliver a great product,” said Jeffers. “On many fronts, we’re very excited about it. It’s been a project a long time in the works and good to see it coming to bear.”

kskelton@sunjournal.com