SOUTH PORTLAND — Construction at the former Maine Army National Guard Armory is expected to start early next week.

Transformation of the dilapidated, historic building at 682 Broadway into an Irving gas station and convenience store is expected to be complete by Thanksgiving, David Latulippe, vice president of Priority Real Estate Group, said Thursday. 

The project to re-purpose the World War II-era building was approved late last year, after the building was bought by the city in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in 2006. 

At June 6 City Council meeting, councilors discussed how revenue from the sale of the armory to Priority for $700,000 in April would be allocated.

Councilors unanimously voted to put 30 percent of the net, or about $200,000, in the city’s Land Bank account, and 70 percent – about $460,000 – in the Municipal Services Facilities Construction account. 

Once completed, the building will have 10 gas pumps, and businss office space on the second floor. The convenience store will offer a coffee bar serving Coffee by Design products and a cafe, Latulippe said.

The building will be outfitted with light-emitting diode fixtures on the exterior and under the fueling canopy, two electric-vehicle charging stations, a public gazebo and 60 parking spaces.

Alex Acquisto can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 106 or aacquisto@theforecaster.net. Follow Alex on Twitter: @AcquistoA. 

The former Maine National Guard Armory on Broadway in South Portland will become an Irving gas station and convenience store, which is expected to open by Thanksgiving.

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