A festive crowd gathered June 20 for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of nine apartments in the Gehring House, the historic home that the Center redeveloped to create quality apartments for year-round residents.

Project partners and funders, local leaders, representatives of Woodhull Construction, and subcontractors joined Board and staff from the Center for the celebration.

“We’re thrilled with the results of the renovation,” said Center President Rob Riley. “Even more, we’re excited to see the apartments filled with people who will make this their home and contribute to the vibrancy of Bethel.”

Center board Chair Tim Volk kicked off the event by showing a photo of the Gehring House from 2022 when it was in sad and run-down condition before the Center purchased it and began renovations. “Today we’re celebrating this breathtaking renovation and the ways it will benefit Bethel for generations to come,” said Tim. “So many people contributed to this success, from the generous investors and donors who made it possible to the design and construction team at Woodhull and the local contractors who leant their talent.”

Other speakers included Bill Clough of the Betterment Foundation, community member and former Center board member Celina Adams, Michael Cleary of Woodhull Construction, local contractor Gardner Waldeier, community leader and local advisor Robin Zinchuk, and Center President Rob Riley.

New Housing through Impact Investments and Philanthropy

The Center funded the first phase of the Gehring House property redevelopment from diverse sources, including impact investment capital from the Center’s Northern Forest Fund, historic tax credits, and charitable donations.

Lead funders included the U.S. Forest Service, Maine Preservation – 1772 Foundation, the William Bingham Foundation, Thomas W. Haas Foundation, Betterment Fund, and Maine Timberlands Charitable Trust.

Additional support for the project came from generous gifts provided by Norway Savings Bank, the Rotary Club of Bethel, Hancock Lumber, and individual donations.

The building, originally built for Dr. John and Mrs. Gehring in 1896, now includes nine apartments on three levels. It has been updated to modern standards while maintaining the historic integrity of the building.

“This project creates more quality, long-term rentals in Bethel,” said Center Program Manager Amy Scott. “We’ve created apartments for primary residences – not the second-home market, nor for short-term rentals. And we’re proud to pay full property taxes even though we’re not required to do as a non-profit.”

The Center used a “wood-first” approach to the project, salvaging original woodwork, buying new lumber from local suppliers, and using innovative wood products such as TimberHP wood insulation and an automated wood pellet heating system. Using wood instead of materials from fossil fuels reduced the carbon footprint of the project.

The building redevelopment project is part of the Center’s community revitalization work in western Maine and is one of several housing development initiatives underway. Woodhull Construction served as general contractor on the project and hired numerous local contractors and trades people to work on the project.

The Gehring House is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the renovation conformed to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.