LEWISTON — Androscoggin Bank will not build a new branch near the Longley Bridge as planned.
In a statement, bank officials said the site — a city-owned, quarter-acre parking lot beside Raymond Park, along Main Street and just in front of Bates Mill No. 5 — has too many constraints.
Last year, the bank announced plans to build what CEO Paul Andersen then called a “showcase building,” one that would “create a whole new entrance to the city of Lewiston.” The plans originally called for a balcony, top floor community room, drive-thru window and enough space for roughly 20 employees.
Lincoln Jeffers, Lewiston’s economic and community development director, said multiple businesses have considered the site for development, but like Androscoggin Bank, all have found the site too small.
“Actually, each of them were lenders thinking, ‘What a great spot, very visible,'” Jeffers said. “But it’s a very tight site to work, with no parking and especially with drive-thrus and whatnot.”
The phase 2 extension of the Lincoln Street parking garage will make that site even tighter. It probably will not be built upon now, Jeffers said.
“I think it’ll likely be a nice green space or parking, but it is not likely to be developed as a building,” he said.
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