Committee approves transfer of Elizabeth Levinson Center building to United Cerebral Palsy of Maine with emergency preamble
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Summary
The committee voted unanimously to report LD 2138 as amended, transferring ownership of the Elizabeth Levinson Center building in Bangor to United Cerebral Palsy of Maine under a long‑term ground lease and adding an emergency preamble so repairs can begin this summer; members clarified the sale covers the building only and set a $100,000 purchase cap in the draft.
On Feb. 11, 2026, the State and Local Government Committee voted unanimously to advance LD 2138 as amended, a resolve authorizing the Department of Administrative and Financial Services to convey a building at 159 Hogan Road in Bangor (the Elizabeth Levinson Center) to United Cerebral Palsy of Maine (UCP) while retaining the land under a long‑term ground lease.
Analysts said the building sits on an 8.67‑acre parcel and that UCP, which has leased the building since 2009 to operate the Elizabeth Levinson Center (an intermediate care facility for people with significant developmental and medical needs), seeks ownership so it can finance major repairs. Deputy Commissioner Anya Trundy told the committee the department proposed a ground lease (50–75 years range discussed) so the state would retain the underlying land while allowing UCP to secure financing to make capital improvements. The draft resolve included a purchase‑price provision stating fair market value but not to exceed $100,000; DAFS said it expects the building’s value to come in under that cap and is willing to clarify drafting if the committee prefers.
Members asked whether the transfer included land (DAFS said the conveyance contemplates a building sale with a long‑term ground lease for the land) and how UCP plans to finance repairs; DAFS said UCP intends to secure financing and that the ground lease structure supports that borrowing. Senator Martin offered a friendly amendment to add an emergency preamble so roof repairs and other urgent work could begin this summer; the committee agreed and authorized the analyst to confirm the correct organizational name and draft the emergency language.
Committee action: Senator Martin moved an 'ought to pass' motion with the emergency amendment; the committee voted and the motion carried unanimously (11 members present). The committee directed language review to finalize consistent organization naming, the emergency rationale, and to ensure drafting aligns with the committee’s intent that the $100,000 figure operate as a cap.
