Council renews option on iconic Bates Mill No. 5 with six‑month extension and performance‑agreement requirement

Lewiston’s City Council approved a six‑month extension of the option agreement for Bates Mill No. 5 and directed the city administrator to negotiate a five‑year performance agreement with the developer. The amendment to limit the immediate extension and require a performance‑agreement workshop, public hearing and vote within the six‑month window passed 6–1; the overall extension was approved 7–0.

Platts Associates and Bates Mill LLC described Mill No. 5 as a large, technically complex building ill-suited to straightforward residential conversion, estimating renovation costs in the roughly $150–250 million range. The developer said years of design, marketing and investment—more than $700,000 in predevelopment work, the team said—mean continuity of site control is important to attract institutional tenants and capital partners; staff confirmed ongoing outreach and recommended continued collaboration.

Councilors expressed support for preservation and redevelopment but repeatedly asked for firm performance milestones and clearer timelines to avoid repeating multi‑decade delays. Councilor Chittum successfully moved an amendment to authorize the administrator to negotiate a five‑year performance agreement and require regular updates, a workshop and a public hearing and vote within the six‑month extension period.

Public commenters were split: preservation advocates urged the council not to demolish an irreplaceable landmark, while frustration surfaced among some residents and commentators who favor decisive action after decades of delay. Councilors noted the absence of competing offers for the site and emphasized the need for coordinated state and federal support to marshal the scale of capital needed.

The council adopted the amendment to limit the extension window and require the performance‑agreement process, then approved the extension.