Staff issues RFP to study options for the 1915 Expo building; rough repair estimate $30M

City staff presented a draft request for proposals to study the future of the James A. Banks Senior Exposition Building. The RFP would hire a firm to assess feasibility, estimate costs for repair or rebuilding, facilitate community engagement and develop a high‑level site plan to inform future council decisions.

Staff said the Exposition Building (built in 1915) is a longstanding civic facility and that a rough estimate to maintain the operating status quo through repairs is approximately $30,000,000. The RFP would require a community engagement process to gather public input on whether to preserve, adaptively reuse or rebuild the facility and to identify ancillary programs the community might want included. Staff emphasized that the parcel’s allowed uses are limited by prior Land and Water Conservation Fund spending, constraining future use to recreation‑related activities.

Committee members urged extending public engagement beyond the two meetings listed in the draft RFP, asked for community representation on evaluation panels, and requested clear options in the study (baseline repairs, an enhanced-restoration 'middle' option, and full rebuild) so the council can weigh costs, preservation and potential partnerships. Several members recommended exploring cost-sharing with tenants (for example, the Maine Celtics) and factoring energy-efficiency and long-term sustainability into any design work. Staff said the RFP would seek a menu of options and return to the committee with findings and a recommended path forward.