Lewiston-based Central Maine Healthcare plans to sell two of its Lewiston buildings to combat financial challenges brought on by the pandemic, the Sun Journal reported Jan. 17.
The buildings, at 287 Main St. and 29 Lowell St., have been owned by CMCH for more than 20 years.
The Main Street building, listed at $1.25 million, is currently empty. The Lowell Street building, listed at $7.75 million, is home to CMCH administrative services and the Dempsey Center, a nonprofit cancer care and support center, which is at 25% occupancy, Steve Littleson, CEO of CMCH, told the Sun Journal.
News of the sales comes after the health system laid off 45 employees as part of management reorganization.
"All team members affected will be offered open positions within the health system or benefit and severance packages should they choose to separate," Central Maine Healthcare said in a Jan. 16 news release shared with Becker's.
CMCH also ended urgent care services at its Maine Urgent Care on Sabattus Street in Lewiston on Jan. 12.
The financial constraints felt since the pandemic have mostly been caused by staffing issues, which saw 600 vacant positions in mid-December; with 200 of the vacant positions are in nursing. The health system plans to use staffing agencies to help with hiring, which is more costly than direct staff hiring, Mr. Littleson told the publication.
Becker's reached out to CMCH for comment on the sale of the buildings.