Saco Mill No. 4, Saco

Saco Mill No. 4 was the last mill in the Saco area to face restoration after nearly 30 years of neglect, and was placed on the Most Endangered Historic Places list in 2002. Since then, redevelopment efforts have succeeded in revitalizing the building and transforming the mill into 150 apartments and 30,000 square feet of commercial space. The project, which relied on federal and state historic rehabilitation tax credits, was led by real estate developer Eric J. Chinburg of Chinburg Properties and the City of Saco, with financing made possible by Maine-based Camden National Bank and Coastal Enterprises, Inc. This is a wonderful example of an adaptive reuse project that helps to preserve the distinct character of the area and serves as a model for other mill rehabilitation projects across Maine.