SACO — The city will try to negotiate a lower price before deciding whether to purchase the former Notre Dame de Lourdes church, rectory and parking lot.
The city is considering purchasing the former church property at Cutts Street. The current purchase price is in the $399,000 to $419,000 range. The suggested plan would be for the city to demolish the church to make way for more parking, and to resell the rectory building as housing.
Councilor Philip Blood moved to table the decision to purchase the property, a move that the council approved. Blood said he thought the price was “much too high.” He said he believes there is a parking problem downtown, but it is a multi-faceted issue that needs more research.
Councilor Eric Cote concurred that there is a parking problem downtown, but the price was too high.
“I don’t want to pay that kind of money,” he said.
The council heard that night from several residents who were not in favor of the proposal.
Many, like Joan Gilbert, said they didn’t think it is a good use of taxpayer money. She said she’s never had a problem finding a parking space in the downtown. She referenced a city newsletter from November of last year that stated that at any given time, more than 50 percent of parking spots were open.
“We don’t have a parking shortage in Saco, what we have is a dying Main Street,” she said.
Former State Rep. Don Pilon told the council “don’t waste money on this,” because it isn’t going to benefit the residents. He referenced information from the city stating the greatest need for parking is in Pepperell Square, and said if the city wants a parking lot, it should look for property closer to this area, such as a quarter-acre lot on Storer Street that was available for $139,000.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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