AUBURN, ME (July 27, 2022) – The City of Auburn and Great Falls Construction are pleased to announce that Great Falls Construction is planning to purchase 186 Main Street, a city-owned lot in the heart of Auburn’s beautiful downtown district.

Based in Gorham, Great Falls Construction (GFC) has more than 30 years of experience in construction management, design build, and general contracting. Their plans for the site include an extraordinary new mixed-use facility. The hope is that the ground and first floors will be occupied by a brewery, distillery, restaurant tenant, while the remainder of the facility will have rental apartment units with a variety of studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom offerings.

“This is a true economic development ‘win’ for our downtown,” said Jay Brenchick, Auburn’s director of economic development. “It has been a pleasure working with Great Falls Construction and exploring their vision for this property; we’re proud to help make this project a reality.”

According to president and owner Jon Smith, the team at Great Falls Construction is excited about the project. “This is a gorgeous location, near the Androscoggin River and within walking distance to Auburn’s vibrant downtown. We are pleased to not only bring a top-notch eatery to central Maine, but also to help add some much-needed housing units. This beautiful building will complement the charm and character of Auburn’s downtown district and demonstrate our team’s meticulous craftsmanship.”

The project aligns well with the city’s strategic vision for the downtown, according to Mayor Jason Levesque. “Focusing on our downtown and the Androscoggin River emerged as a final recommendation of our recent strategic plan,” said Levesque. “And for the last several years, we have worked hard to transform our downtown into a place where people can work, live, and play. With this significant investment by Jon and the terrific crew at GFC, that will become reality.”

“It has been a pleasure working with the economic development team in Auburn,” added Smith. “Their vision for the city, commitment to excellence, and great customer service have helped make this project a reality for our team and the Auburn community.”