Auburn Targets Eight Vacant Buildings in Minot Avenue Plan

Auburn is drafting a revitalization plan for Minot Avenue between Washington Street and Court Street and hopes to complete it by the end of 2026, the Lewiston Sun Journal reported on Oct. 15.

The plan under discussion would address the corridor's appearance, vehicle and pedestrian safety and vacant properties, and could open the way to more mixed-use development, retail, restaurants and parks. City staff have spent months collecting comments from residents and property owners.

A central focus is the eight vacant buildings in the half-mile stretch, all of them privately owned. Eric Cousens, Auburn's director of public services, said the city has limited tools to push owners to clean up or reuse their properties. One is a vacant property ordinance adopted in 2025 that requires owners to register vacant or abandoned buildings, pay a fee starting at $100 and allow a city inspection before a vacant building permit is issued.

Incentives could include tax increment financing, handled case by case, Cousens said, along with state and federal transportation grants for safety work.

The properties include the former Lunn & Sweet Shoe Co. mill, valued at about $714,000; the former Auburn Police Department building, valued at more than $400,000; and a 1936 former car dealership that the Auburn City Council declared a dangerous building in October 2026, giving the owners 30 days to repair or demolish it.

This story was first reported by ​​Lewiston Sun Journal​​ ​​​ ​​​.