The government doesn't respect every feeling and need of for profit developers, more at 11.

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The capitalist class in today's day and age expects the political class to bow for everything they capitalists want.

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Socialists have no power in America last I knew. You've been reading the Maine Wire?

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Lol they run Portland

No they don't they are just NGO hack milktoast Dems

The Gendron "families" already own or control most of Lewiston and Auburn. Their influence reaches much further than the property they own. If David doesn't want the property, it's because the hazard waste disposal costs will outweigh the potential profits.

thank you for some decent input.

Ehh it's been going on a while. Interest rates rising may just have made it unprofitable.

To summarize:

-Gendron wanted it in 2019, but in 2020 Lewiston awarded an option agreement to LH/Avesta for it to become senior housing instead
-Lewiston Housing and Avesta wanted to turn the location into a ~$12mil 44-unit senior housing development, but the project hit delays related to the pandemic
-LH brought a plan to triple (!?) the 44-unit building, but Lewiston City Council didn't like the lack of green space... (note: it's unclear when this occurred)
-Lewiston City Council chose not to renew the option agreement for LH/Avesta as a result of LH's uncertainty (with the project, financing, and ability to secure the complicated tax credits, etc? all of those? unclear)
-Gendron came by after this decision and reiterated his want to develop mixed-use, now seemingly in addition to a 44-unit senior housing building, but wanted city of Lewiston to take care of certain costs with demolishing
-During the public hearing portion of city council meeting, most of the public implied desire for the original senior housing without commercial buildings. Various reasons were given.
-Gendron took offense to this and said "ok, nevermind"

So it seems the site will likely go out to bids again, and either end back up to LH/Avesta to develop, or a potentially a new developer will purchase it who Gendron probably didn't want to get into a bidding war with.

It's unfortunate that the property wasn't developed in a timely manner the way it was initially intended a couple years ago, but can anyone respectfully explain to me what the point of contention is currently?

Most of the developers I know are hunkering down - the general expectation is a tough year for real estate. I suspect the developer took the chance for an out and is taking the opportunity to spin the narrative

Either way, a loss for Lewiston all around. Empty and derelict housing doesn’t help anyone.

“Capitalist class” is a meaningless title in a nation where 95% of political platforms revolve around some form of capitalism. This isn’t a paradox studios game. Just say wealthy people.

Well some of us still get everything from wages....

I don’t understand your point. Doctors and attorneys make their money from wages and are still wealthy. Working class doesn’t mean you’re inherently poor.

Local government has been running that city into the ground for years. We need to wipe the slate clean.

Sounds like you don’t totally understand capitalism

Those people are upper middle class. They are not upper class. 99% You must be born into upper class.

This is just not true. I know half a dozen multi millionaires whose families are / were working class

Millionaire is nowhere near the upper class. The upper class has a private chef, the chef is a millionaire. The person who eats that food, thats the upper class.