Friends of Hutchinson Center and Waterfall Arts file second appeal of UMaine decision to sell real estate to church

Mon, 09/09/2024 - 8:30pm

    On September 3, the Future of the Hutchinson Center Steering Committee/Waterfall Arts (FHC-WA) submitted a second appeal to the University of Maine regarding the University’s Hutchinson Center August 14 award decision. That was when UMaine announced it would sell the Hutchinson Center to Calvary Hope Belfast church, despite appeals from two other parties that also held interest in the campus.

    FHC-WA’s first appeal was rejected by the University one day after it was submitted August 19.  

    “The second appeal provides detailed analysis and criticism of the University’s decision and first appeal rejection, showing that FHC-WA’s proposal provided clearly superior value to the University as well as to the Midcoast community,” according to a news release from the steering committee.

    FHC-WA is waiting for a response by the University, “as it considers further actions it might take, if needed,” the committee said.

    In late August, the University of Maine said it was sticking with its decision to sell the Hutchinson Center to Calvary Hope Belfast church, despite appeals from two other parties that also held interest in the campus. That was when the Future of Hutchinson Center Steering Committee/Waterfall Arts said it would file another appeal, this time to UMAine’s Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration” said FHCSC-WA on Aug. 26.

    “Members of the community are encouraged to write to the University expressing their opinion of the University’s decision,” wrote the committee, in a Sept. 9 news release. “ The University is making its decision now.”

    The Future of the Hutchinson Center Steering Committee and Waterfall Arts includes:

    Todd Bluhm

    Doug Chamberlin

    Kim Fleming

    Shane Flynn

    Mike Hurley

    John McKeith

    Jim Patterson

    Judy Stein

    Larry Theye

    Hugh Townsend