Augusta, Maine Businessman Steps Forward With Plan for Historic Western Avenue Property

An updated plan has emerged for the historic home at 15 Western Avenue in Augusta following weeks of online controversy and public concern over its potential demolition. The stately house, owned by Kennebec Savings Bank, has been vacant for about 15 months after years of use as an optometrist’s office.

While the property is not located within one of Augusta’s four historic districts and is not listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it has now been formally recognized for its local historic significance.

At a recent Augusta Historical Commission meeting, members determined that the 1899 home holds value due to its design by renowned Maine architect John Calvin Stevens. As a result, the commission imposed a 60-day demolition delay, a measure intended to allow time for negotiations and alternative solutions that could preserve the structure.

A major development came with a last-minute proposal from Richard Parkhurst, who has offered to purchase and relocate the house. Parkhurst suggested moving it to land near the former courthouse on the east side of Memorial Circle, an area with strong historical ties that could provide a fitting new home for the building. This proposal has been met with optimism by many residents who hope to see the house saved rather than lost.

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Western Avenue, once known as Augusta’s “Millionaire’s Row,” has already seen the disappearance of many of its grand historic homes. Preservation advocates now hope this plan will prevent another loss and help protect a remaining piece of the city’s architectural heritage.