Lewiston Council ratifies emergency order and authorizes demolition process for unsafe 54 Knox St.

The Lewiston City Council on Oct. 21 ratified a prior emergency determination and adopted a formal order to address a dangerous building at 54 Knox Street after inspectors described conditions that they said posed an immediate threat to public safety.

Planning and code enforcement officials and the fire department told the council that the rear portion of the four‑story structure lacked a safe second means of egress, had missing smoke detectors, compromised fire barriers (holes in ceilings and walls), exposed live wiring and evidence of recent unauthorized habitation. Fire Inspector Charlie Jordan testified that the building’s design allows a single fire to block both egress paths and spread rapidly through multiple vertical and horizontal openings.

The council first affirmed a director’s Aug. 8 determination that the structure posed a serious threat and required prompt securing; that motion passed 7–0. After a full hearing that included sworn testimony, photos and an owner presentation, the council adopted the planning and code enforcement department’s findings and conclusions and approved the proposed order that sets corrective steps and authorizes the city administrator to act if the owner fails to comply.

Owner’s representatives said the building has been secured to the city’s satisfaction and that plans are underway to rehabilitate the structure. Counsel for Andrews Management said stamped plans were submitted to the city this week and estimated that, if financing and approvals proceed, work could begin in December with a targeted certificate of occupancy by June 2026. Franklin Savings Bank, which holds the mortgage, told the council it supports the owner’s request for time to complete required plans and financing steps.

The order gives the owner a deadline to demolish or submit an approved rehabilitation plan and authorizes the director of planning and code enforcement to evaluate any plan’s adequacy and pause demolition if the plan demonstrates the owner’s ability and intention to proceed. Council members and staff emphasized that the city preferred rehabilitation if it could be shown viable and safe, but said the order was necessary to protect neighbors and first responders.

The vote to adopt the order was 7–0. If the owner fails to meet the order, the city may undertake corrective action and recover costs through a special tax or lien.

Why it matters: City staff and the fire department said the rear building’s conditions—missing detectors, exposed wiring and compromised fire barriers—placed occupants and neighboring properties at risk. Councilors said the order balances the owner’s opportunity to rehabilitate the building against the city’s duty to protect public safety.

Speakers: Director John Conner, City of Lewiston (Planning & Code Enforcement); Steve LeBron, Building Inspector; Charlie Jordan, Fire Inspector; Roger Andrews, owner, Andrews Management; Matthew Mastrigia, counsel for owner; Christopher Brooks, Franklin Savings Bank.

Actions: Council ratified the Aug. 8 emergency determination (7–0) and adopted the findings, conclusions and order providing a demolition/rehab timeline and authority for city action if the owner fails to comply (7–0).