City Of Augusta Declares Kennebec Arsenal “Dangerous”

It has been the better part of two decades since Tom Niemann, and his business partners, purchased the old Kennebec Arsenal property with intentions to develop the site into a retail and entertainment center.  In that time, not much has been done to the property.

In recent years, residents, the city council, and history lovers have all expressed concerns over progress, or lack there of, at the aging compound.

Now, the Augusta city council has declared the property dangerous.

According to the KJ, in a recent meeting they voted 7 to 1 to declare the neglected property dangerous and they have given the owner 90 days to address concerns about the cluster of buildings.

One of the biggest concerns is that the buildings on the site pose a fire hazard.  According to at least one city council member, there is a lack of fire department access to the site if a fire should break out.

You can read a more complete breakdown of concerns and Niemann's response to those concerns HERE.

According to the article, Niemann bought the property from the state in 2007. He reportedly put down a down payment of $280,000 and covenants requiring him to preserve, maintain and repair the property to preserve its value as an historic place.  At the time of the purchase, he had plans to develop it into a mixed-use site, including retail, office space, a boutique hotel and residences

A registered National Historic Landmark, the facility was constructed by the Federal Government between 1828 and 1838.

***NEVER ENTER AN ABANDONED BUILDING WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE OWNER.  NOT ONLY IS IT ILLEGAL, IT IS DANGEROUS***

Check out this video tour of the old arsenal facility.