Staff Reporter

The transformation of Cousens School to Cousens School Apartments in Kennebunk is nearly complete.

Avesta Housing, the Portland-based non-profit group which was awarded the bid to transform the building into affordable housing units, presented an update on the project during the March 25 Kennebunk Board of Selectmen meeting.

Avesta Director of Development Debora Keller and Avesta Regional Property Manager Mary Fowler said the organization currently is accepting applications from potential renters.

“The location of the project is an asset because it’s close to downtown,” Keller said.

Keller said the former school, comprised of the original 1932 section, as well as two additional wings, was sold to Avesta Housing in 2005 for $400,00, following a bid process.

“Avesta owns and manages the project,” Keller said, adding a management office will be on-site.

She said the two additions to the school were torn down and reconstructed.

Keller said the $5.7 million project, funded by Maine State Housing Authority, Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston and the U.S. Department of Rural Development, will feature 28 apartments, 12 of which are one-bedroom units. The remaining 16 apartments are two-bedroom units. She said four apartments are fully handicap accessible.

Keller said old classrooms were transformed into four one-bedroom apartments units in the historic part of the building.

“They are really nice,” Keller said.

Keller said 16 units, both one- and two-bedroom, will be subsidized by the U.S. Department of Rural Development.

Rent includes heat, hot water and lights, as well as free wireless Internet throughout the entire building. She said the project features amenities such as an on-site playground, ample parking, an elevator and 24-hour emergency maintenance.

“There are also two community rooms and one of them has a kitchen,” Keller said.

She said Avesta will pay full property taxes to the town of Kennebunk.

In 2006, Avesta was granted a contract-zoning waiver, which allowed a higher density of buildings on the site and less restrictive buffer requirements.

For more information, visit www.avestahousing.org