DEER ISLE — The board of HomePort, the new residential community being developed in the former Island Nursing Home, announces the hiring of David Witham as project manager. It is hoped the first apartment will be ready for occupancy in June of 2026. While most apartments will be occupied by seniors, some will be used as workforce housing.
A native of Brewer, Witham holds an electrical engineering degree from the University of Maine. Having lived in Deer Isle for a number of years, he brings to the project his local knowledge as well as his vast building experience both as independent contractor and as construction administrator for WBRC Architects of Bangor. His plan will maximize re-use of existing construction, including cabinetry, plumbing, ceilings, fire suppression, windows, doors, and most interior walls, and will employ local talent as much as possible. The finished project will consist of two studio, a two-bedroom (for a family) and 19 one-bedroom apartments, one of which will be ADA compliant. The estimated project cost is $1.8 million.
“Dave spent weeks inspecting, measuring and drawing up plans for the existing building,” said board member Kathleen Billings, who is Stonington’s town manager. “You could see he was envisioning how to tame the project into a well-designed renovation that will result in quality housing that is cost effective.
Homeport is a not for profit initiative. Board members include people native to the island as well as from away, with diverse backgrounds that encompass nursing, geriatric medicine, construction trades, finance, government and fishing.
“The board has worked hard for four years to reopen the facility, often meeting every week” said former Human Resources Director Lori Morey, who has stayed on to manage the facility after it closed in 2021.
For more information, contact Morey at 207-348-6511 or go to https://homeportmaine.org/.
