NEWS

Bath Housing Kicks Off Construction of 47-Unit Anchorage South

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Bath Housing Kicks Off Construction of 47-Unit Anchorage South

Anchorage South marks a key milestone in the master development plan for Congress Avenue

BATH, Maine (October 28, 2026) – Beneath gray skies and autumn leaves on Thursday, October 22, Bath Housing celebrated the start of construction on the new 47-unit Anchorage South apartment community. More than fifty guests gathered at the corner of Centre Street and Congress Avenue, overlooking the future site of Anchorage South as crews from Ouellet Construction worked to lay the foundation. Here, leaders from Bath Housing and the City of Bath, as well as residents and project partners, spoke about the vision for Congress Avenue and the challenges they overcame to bring the project to life.

After significant delays due to the federal Build America, Buy America ACT (BABA) waiver process, site preparations for Anchorage South began in August 2026 following the demolition of Bath Housing’s former administrative office, originally built in 1992 by local vocational students. Bath Housing worked with Habitat for Humanity 7 Rivers ReStore to salvage materials from the building prior to demolition, helping to keep usable materials out of landfills. The construction of Anchorage South is expected to take sixteen months, with initial occupancy planned for early 2028.

Anchorage South is part of Bath Housing’s master plan to redevelop properties along Congress Avenue and create a range of housing options in Bath. The four-story building will include 47 units for older adults with incomes at or below 60% of the area median income. When complete, the 33 current residents of the existing Anchorage property will have the opportunity to move into the new Anchorage South building alongside new neighbors occupying the additional 14 apartments. The building has been designed for accessibility, comfort, and energy efficiency. This transition will also make the existing Anchorage property available for future redevelopment.

“Our goal was not simply to replace an aging property, but to provide current residents with a better housing option while allowing them to remain part of their community,” said Debora Keller, Executive Director of Bath Housing, who led the event alongside Seth Parker, Director of Development for Bath Housing Development Corporation, Bath City Manager Marc Meyers, and Bath Housing resident and board commissioner Keith Krzan.

“The Anchorage residents have had a major voice in the planning and design of the new building. Their needs of safety, comfort and accessibility were paramount at every stage of development,” Krzan remarked. “On behalf of Bath Housing and the residents who are proud to call Bath, I am honored to celebrate this moment with all of you.”

The event also served as a remembrance for Bath Housing colleagues involved in the planning of Anchorage South who had passed away, including former Bath Housing board chair Catherine “Katy” Powers and David Lawrence of Ouellet Construction. During remarks, Bath Housing announced that the forthcoming Anchorage South community room will be named in honor of Katy Powers as a tribute to her memory and years of service. Powers served as a leader and advocate for Bath Housing residents for more than 20 years and played an important role in shaping the Congress Avenue redevelopment vision.

Bath Housing wishes to recognize the following partners involved in the Anchorage South project:

  • Ouellet Construction
  • Bennett Engineering
  • Structural Integrity
  • LJB Engineering
  • Ryan Senatore Architects
  • MaineHousing
  • WNC
  • Bangor Savings Bank
  • Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston
  • Efficiency Maine
  • City of Bath
  • Curtis Thaxter

About Bath Housing Authority

Founded in 1969, Bath Housing advances forward-thinking housing solutions so that all who want to call Sagadahoc County home can live, work and thrive together. It does this by partnering with community, state and federal leaders to develop sustainable, high-quality, and fair stable housing; administering federally funded housing voucher programs; and pioneering solutions to the region’s housing challenges, including Bath Housing’s award-winning Comfortably Home program helping eligible seniors safely age in place. FMI: www.bathhousing.org

Rendering of Anchorage South to be located at 80 Congress Avenue, Bath courtesy of Ryan Senatore Architects

Bath Housing staff stand above the site of Anchorage South on Thursday, October 22, 2026. Photo courtesy of Bath Housing.

Attendees gathered to celebrate the construction kickoff for Anchorage South on Thursday, October 22, 2026. Photo courtesy of Bath Housing.

 

Mainebiz Article: https://mainebiz.biz/article/more-affordable-apartments-for-bath-residents-in-the-works/

Portland Press Herald Article: https://www.pressherald.com/2026/10/28/bath-housing-starts-work-on-47-unit-apartment-complex-for-older-adults/?uuid=66b98d39-702f-417b-a4fc-f0e5cc6c5d77&lid=250841