Construction projects are in full swing, even going into winter, with projects in the residential, education and restaurant fields underway.
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As we “plow” into the winter months, there’s no shortage of significant projects underway. Hebert Construction broke ground on a nine-unit complex of luxury townhouses and condominiums at 53 Carleton St. in Portland’s West End. Carleton West is a partnership of developer Jack Soley and Ali Malone of Waypoint Brokers Collective, both in Portland, and builder Tim Hebert of Hebert Construction, which is headquartered in Lewiston with a satellite office in Portland. Two other Portland firms are involved: Archetype Architects supplied the design and landscaping will be by Anthony Muench RLA. Norway Savings Bank provided the financing. Project cost is estimated at $14 million
Other projects of note:
- Consigli Construction, with a Portland office, is doing sitework for the future headquarters of the Roux Institute.
- Optimum Construction, of South Portland, is doing an overhaul of Portland’s long-vacant Dry Dock restaurant, which was acquired by Luke’s Lobster.

Old-school firm brings on new president
Freeport-based Houses & Barns by John Libby has a new president. The firm’s namesake and founder, John Libby, plans to retire after more than five decades at the business. He will continue to serve on the board of directors.
Lee Proscia, who will take over as president, joined the firm in 2017. Previously, he’d been at Portland-based Wright-Ryan Construction, where he led the millwork shop and managed pre-construction tasks for the homes division. He also had a cabinet making background before joining Wright-Ryan. In his new role, Proscia will oversee a team of architects, timber framers and builders — 10 people in all.
DeStefano tackles retail and museum work
DeStefano & Associates Inc. is based in Portsmouth, N.H., but has no shortage of work in Maine. In recent weeks, it has completed construction on two more Aroma Joe’s locations: 6 Cascade Road in Saco and 495 Amherst St. in Nashua, N.H. Saco was new construction, while Nashua was a renovation in a plaza. The architect was Kansas City, Mo.-based TK Architects.
Kittery-based ARQ Architects teamed up with DeStefano on the renovation and addition of exhibit space in the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover, N.H.
Two other DeStefano projects of note:
- In Gardiner, is building a 4,000 square foot maintenance facility for United Rentals. The architect is Ron Henry Allen AIA, Lunenburg, Mass.
- In Sanford, renovations have started on the Center for Shopping Plaza, fitting out a 30,000-square-foot Ollies Bargain Outlet. Bangor-based TAC Architectural Group Inc. handled design. Completion is slated for January 2025.