Fisher Properties LLC out of Portland is turning former office space at 154 Mount Auburn Ave., seen Friday in Auburn, into a marijuana cultivation operation and future retail sales shop. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal Buy this Photo

Growing, schooling, laying foundations — it’s an all-Auburn Buzz.

First up: A sizeable new marijuana operation on Mount Auburn Avenue across from Home Depot.

Fisher Properties LLC received a permit last month for a $420,000 project turning former office space at 154 Mount Auburn Ave. into a cultivation site with a retail storefront to come.

The project is described in architectural plans with the city as being finished in two phases, with the first “the build-out of the cultivation area, including all spaces except for retail, fulfillment and the safe room … with phase two work to follow shortly after completion of phase one.”

Fisher Properties, a Portland company, bought the property from George Schott’s Affordable Mid Coast Housing LLC last July, according to the Androscoggin Registry of Deeds.

The project will be required to control odors to municipal standards, according to Eric Cousens, Auburn’s director of planning and permitting.

It was one of several marijuana-related permits for April.

The other large project: More growth for the Mystique Way Cannabis Park.

UC Properties LLC received a permit for a $120,000 136-foot-by-84-foot foundation for a project called Forever Green at 41 Mystique Way.

The street off Minot Avenue has been a growing spot for marijuana cultivation for several years. The park was approved for 14 future buildings, most of them greenhouses, in April 2020.

PERMITS APLENTY

Among the many projects green-lit in the code office last month:

• A $834,500 addition and renovation project for portions of Franklin School at 23 High St. by the Auburn School Department.

• A $6,000,000 foundation-only permit for the new Edward Little High School at 77 Harris St.

• A $35,449 refresh for the Family Dollar Store at 850 Minot Ave. with paint, indoor graphics and adjusted shelving.

• A $49,848 renovation at 296 Gracelawn Road replacing a fuel island canopy for the City of Auburn.

According to the city, landowner Jim Pittman is readying a site and will put in a pad for potential, future development, bottom left, next to Lamey Wellehan in Auburn. The Auburn Mall can be seen in the background Friday in this aerial photo. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal Buy this Photo

BUILD IT AND THEY WILL . . .

Curious about the activity behind Lamey Wellehan?

Cousens said landowner Jim Pittman is leveling out the property with plans to put down a pad, readying it for future but yet-unknown development.

Quick hits about business comings, goings and happenings. Have a Buzzable tip? Contact staff writer Kathryn Skelton at 689-2844 or kskelton@sunjournal.com.