Lewiston Council Approves $250K Loan for Coliseum Acquisition

The Lewiston City Council voted 5-2 to approve a $250,000 zero-interest loan to Milltown Sports and Entertainment for the acquisition of the Coliseum. The council also held a budget workshop where the airport director presented financial updates and several nonprofits requested funding for community events.

Key points

• Council voted 5-2 to approve the $250,000 loan to Milltown Sports and Entertainment, with Ward 3 and Ward 7 voting no.
• City Administrator Bryan Kaenrath noted the loan is secured by personal property and that the Loan Qualification Committee voted 3-1 in favor with one abstention.
• Councilors raised concerns about the lack of a mortgage on the loan and the use of tax revenue as a return on investment metric.
• The airport director reported that based aircraft have tripled to nearly 110 and that the airport is not requesting additional local operating funding.
• Girl Scouts of Maine, the Dempsey Challenge, and Summer Fun and Films representatives presented funding requests to the council.
• SpurWink presented a proposal for a mobile health unit to be funded by opioid settlement funds, noting the need for a new ordinance.

Next steps

• Legal counsel will review and finalize the loan documents for the Coliseum acquisition.
• The airport director will circulate the new master plan and address FAA compliance issues regarding property maps and tree removal.
• Staff will provide a breakdown of last year's Balloon Festival costs and marketing expenses to the council.
• SpurWink will work with the city to draft language for a mobile unit ordinance.

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