Midcoast Habitat for Humanity moves into Down East Building in Rockport

ROCKPORT, Maine (WABI) - The Midcoast Habitat for Humanity recently got an upgrade to its base of operations, having moved into an iconic building in the community of Rockport.

Originally built in the early 1900s, the Down East Building at 60 Commercial Street along Route 1 has gone through many iterations. After months of planning, the non-profit was able to purchase the property for 1.45 million by selling their previous building and subdivided land.

“A lot of folks in the community know exactly what’s been here over the years, and they were excited to see that we were taking it on,” says Executive Director Tia Anderson.

The property includes 15,000 square feet of office space to accommodate a large increase in staff. As of now, the Midcoast Habitat for Humanity will reside on the first floor of the office building, with previous owners Downeast Magazine remaining as a tenant on the third floor.

“Everybody has their own offices now, and we were kind of on top of each other before,” says Board Chair Peter Berke. “We actually have two conferences rooms, one for Habitat for Humanity and another for like-minded nonprofits to share that space.”

The newly opened Restore location connected to the property includes 6,800 square feet of space, comprised of a loading dock to improve drop off circulation, increased parking, and space for power equipment.

“We have never had any kind of power equipment to move things. It’s really nice to have that extra stuff here, along with a whole facility to receive items so that no longer come into the store itself, so that we can clean them and then put them in the store” says ReStore Manager Jennifer Hixon.

The property will not only allow community donated items to be more efficiently received, but it will also allow for more collaborations between like-minded non-profits as well as Knox County residents who depend on them.

“Being able to connect folks, give them financial literacy opportunities so that they can be successful, and any other support services that we can draw in to occupy this space where people are able to come here and feel connected. We’re excited to bring more community and support services to one location, and to just better help our community,” says Anderson.