Building undergoes makeover
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — A familiar structure at the intersection of Main and Church streets has undergone an amazing transformation, with a complete facelift on the outside and renovations inside.
BUILDING RENOVATIONS have been completed at 521 Main St., with the structure owned by Fred Dobbs and Rowell McHatten housing both office space and apartments. The structure is one of several facilities downtown that have recently undergone upgrades, bringing new life to the heart of town. At top, Brandon Smith of B.S. Carpentry was hired to reface the front of the building. At bottom is the finished facade.
The building which houses business space downstairs and apartments upstairs, serves as home to Central Aroostook Psychiatric Services (CAPS) facing Main Street.
The property, located at 521 Main St., is owned by Lisa and Fred Dobbs, of Caribou, and Sandy and Rowell “Rocky” McHatten, of Castle Hill.
“We acquired the building about four years ago. Jed Desmond was the former owner. We did the inside work first, to get income coming in,” said Fred Dobbs.
Dobbs, a realtor with experience in owning and operating commercial properties, teamed up with McHatten, who’s background includes owning and managing residential rental properties, pooling resources to purchase the downtown site.
“We put in quite a bit of our own money and obtained a bank loan as well. We have two two-bedroom apartments upstairs. One’s about 970 square feet, the other’s about 800 square feet. There’s ample city parking in back. We’ve redone both inside and out,” he said. “The doctors’ office is approximately 2,000 square feet.”
Dobbs said they took their lead from another business in town.
“We were impressed with what the Dows did with the Braden Theater. Rocky said he’d always wanted a building on Main Street. My wife and I partnered with he and his wife, taking turns working on the inside. We hired other people to work on the inside as well,” said Dobbs. The partners were able to keep some of the costs down by doing the work themselves, rather than hiring an outside contractor.
Sheetrock was replaced throughout the building, including over the original tin ceilings.
“We wanted to keep the tin ceilings but in order to meet building codes, we had to cover it,” he said.
Most recently B.S. Carpentry — owned by Brandon Smith — was hired to restore the front of the structure. That work was completed earlier this winter.
While he said there have been a few difficulties, all in all Dobbs is pleased with the outcome.
“It’s definitely been a challenge but it’s been fun too. This isn’t our first trip down renovation lane. Rocky has property, as do I. This is our first venture together however,” said Dobbs. “Rocky has apartments; I like doing commercial.”
Dobbs said extra effort was put into the apartments but the work has paid off.
“We had them rented as quick as we could finish them. They feature ceramic tiled kitchens and other amenities. We had no trouble renting,” said Dobbs, adding, “I won’t put someone into something I wouldn’t rent.”
