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Portland committee weighs roughly $14 million plan to move family shelter to 353 Cumberland Ave
Summary
City staff told the finance committee that converting 353 Cumberland Ave for family-shelter use would require about $13.95 million in capital work and increase ongoing city costs by about $1.5 million per year; councilors asked staff for a lower-cost "single-floor activation" estimate that defers major systemwide work.
City staff on May 7 told the Portland Finance Committee that a consultant schematic for moving the city-operated family shelter into 353 Cumberland Ave — a school-owned building — estimates about $13.95 million in capital work and would raise the city's annual shelter-related spending by roughly $1.5 million.
Assistant City Manager Dina Libner explained that staff and consultants examined property ownership, market conditions and building capacity and produced a full schematic design and cost estimate. Brendan (finance director) summarized the memo in the packet and gave the $13.95 million figure as the likely capital total. Libner said the estimate reflects needed work on major systems that would not be fully avoided by a phased approach.
Councilors pressed staff for alternatives. Councilor Ben Grant asked for three scenarios: a minimal "bare-bones" activation sized to the current census, an intermediate option and the full build-out in the memo. Several councilors said they want a quickly produced comparison showing the cost to activate a single floor and defer major building-wide improvements (HVAC, electrical, roof) so the council can weigh a smaller near-term investment against bonding for a full renovation.
Aaron, a city shelter staffer, provided operational context: the current shelter census is down (about 41 individuals, roughly a dozen families) but the system has previously surged above 100 households; he said average family length of stay in the system is roughly 82 days and that placements occur across southern Maine communities, including Portland and nearby towns.
Staff and several councilors acknowledged tradeoffs. City staff told the committee that many of the most expensive items are building-wide systems that would still need work even if the city only enabled partial occupancy; contractors warned that phasing could increase total cost and logistical complexity. Councilors said they were not asking to decide tonight but want a feasibility comparison for the next meeting: (1) a cost estimate that removes the most significant systemwide capital items and playground infrastructure and (2) the full schematic estimate already in the backup.
The item remains a discussion item; staff will bring the requested comparative estimates and additional data (utilization and referral trends) to the next meeting before any formal council action.
