BELFAST, Maine — Following the University of Maine System's (UMS) announcement that it was rescinding its offer to sell its Hutchinson Center to the Calvary Chapel of Belfast two weeks ago, bidding for the Belfast property will resume next week.
In a news release Thursday, UMS stated it will post a new request for proposals by noon on Oct. 4 and bidding will run through 5 p.m. on Nov. 1.
This announcement comes after UMS said it neglected to account for the cost of moving a Networkmaine internet hub housed on the property in its initial bidding round.
Initially, Calvary Chapel of Belfast's bid was chosen by UMS but was rescinded on Sept. 12.
The church has rented space in the Hutchinson Center before and currently shares a space with another Belfast congregation. Lead Pastor Greg Huston said purchasing the center would give them a place of their own.
"We've proven as a church [the Hutchinson Center’s] not what we need. But it'd be an amazing addition to what we are already doing," Huston said.
Another initial bidder was the Future of the Hutchinson Center Steering Committee and Waterfall Arts. Member Mike Hurley said FHC-WA wants to continue the initial purpose of the center.
"Which was a place for higher education but also for community, for arts, for business. We had lots of conferences," Hurley said.
The third and final bidder in the first round was Waldo Community Action Partners. No one from the organization was available for a formal interview, however, development director Monica Pettengill said the Hutchinson Center would advance Waldo CAP's efforts to help low-income Waldo County residents.