After recently purchasing another house on School Street in Gorham, the University now controls most of that street. It’s the fifth house USM purchased in Gorham in the past 15 years.
During that same time, the University has purchased 24 houses around the Portland campus, causing several neighborhood groups to complain to the city about overcrowding and parking problems.
University officials say they might further expand in Gorham, but say there’s no concern in that city about the kind of problems plaguing the University in Portland.
Last semester, the University bought a house on 134 School St. in Gorham from Eugene Schleh, a retired USM Professor of African History.
“The house has been in the family since 1986,” said Jennifer Schleh, daughter in-law to Professor Schleh.
The house was placed on the market last May and as is the case with many properties surrounding University property, the Schlehs first notified the University the house was for sale. It was purchased for $191,500.
134 School Street is a prime location, according to Dave Early, executive director of Facilities Management.
“Over time it is planned to have more land in Gorham that is adjacent to campus,” Early said.
Caswell said the University works jointly with the town of Gorham. There is awareness among officials and neighbors that the University makes significant contributions to the town’s quality of life, he said.
The University purchases homes to convert into offices and others to create space for parking and signage.
The planned use for the house on 134 School St. will be office space and additional parking. But the final decision will be made though the space committee, said Early.
“The house will not be ready until the summer or fall, yet the need for office space is ongoing, so it will be used,” Caswell said.
The University if interested will purchase a house if it suits a necessity such as location and office space.
“We (the University) do not have plans to gobble up entire neighborhoods as they become available.” Caswell said.
For example in the early ’90s the University purchased the Phinney house. The location of the house was ideal for an Office of Admissions; it is at the intersection of Route 25 and Husky Drive.
Another house purchased by the University was in poor condition and not suitable for offices, yet the area was considered valuable because it was at the corner entrance to campus. A large USM welcome sign and landscaping can be found near the entrance off School Street, the former home of the rundown house.
Caswell said the University doesn’t put any pressure on families to sell their homes.
“The University will only go after a piece of property if it goes on the market and if the owners contact us,” Caswell said.
He added there are no immediate plans to purchase more houses in Portland or in Gorham. Yet if an owner or realtor approaches the University and the house has a feasible location, the University might consider a purchase.
On the Portland campus, the University already owns the majority of the homes on Bedford Street, Chamberlain Avenue and several homes on Deering Avenue and Exeter Street.
The dramatic expansion on the Portland campus has caused upset neighbors to go to the city with concerns about parking and overcrowding. The University has regular meetings with neighbors to address their concerns, especially in regards to the proposed community facility and parking garage.
Caswell added, we need to do a better job of communicating and insuring that neighbors in the city have input about possible expansions.
The Portland Planning Board ruled in effect that the University couldn’t expand its Portland campus until plans for a parking garage are approved.
“We have made the commitment in Portland to not purchase houses on the other side of Falmouth Street, our policy is to respect current boundaries of campus,” Caswell said.
Gorham Editor Erin Zwirn can be reached at [email protected]