The acrimonious debate over the University of Maine System’s sale of the Hutchinson Center in Belfast to a private organization — despite the unsuccessful efforts of a citizens group to buy the facility — has prompted legislation that would make it easier for host communities to purchase properties from the state in the future.
Rep. Janice Dodge and Sen. Chip Curry, both Democrats of Belfast, have sponsored the bill that would require quasi-independent state entities that are selling property to give municipalities the right of first refusal to buy it.
The legislation was introduced after the UMaine System first offered to sell the Hutchinson Center to a local evangelical church, then withdrew the offer and selected another group, Waldo Community Action Partners, as the buyer following a second round of proposals. The church, Calvary Chapel Belfast, has since sued the system over the rescinded offer.
Belfast officials had expressed strong support for a citizen’s committee that had tried to buy the Hutchinson Center, and a previous piece of legislation that would have required the UMaine System to sell the facility directly to the midcoast city was rejected by a committee of lawmakers last year.
“I believe municipalities should have the opportunity to purchase UMaine properties at fair market value,” Dodge said on Feb. 10, during a public hearing for the latest bill, L.D. 50, in the Legislature’s state and local government committee.
The proposal, which is due for a work session on March 5, would require quasi-state entities selling property to get it appraised and then give the host municipality the right of first refusal to buy it within 30 days. During the hearing, Dodge proposed amending the bill to extend that timeframe to 90 days, to give local officials more time to secure funding for the purchase.
The bill was supported by the Maine Municipal Association, but opposed by two Maine real estate groups and the UMaine System.
Samantha Warren, the system’s chief external and governmental affairs officer, said that it would hinder its ability to generate the most possible revenue from the sale of under-used properties to help make its programs more affordable.
Warren argued that would “limit opportunities for local organizations — including housing authorities, health and social service providers, public school districts, and private businesses — to meet critical needs in your communities.”
Warren said the system’s current bidding policies allow municipalities to offer to purchase its properties at fair market value. She noted that no municipalities have made proposals to purchase its properties since the system overhauled its policies for selling off underused buildings in 2023.