LEWISTON — The leaders behind an effort to create a permanent 24-hour shelter in Lewiston say it is on track for a September opening, but it will require several funding sources to be sustained through its first year and beyond.

During a recent discussion with officials in Lewiston, Kevin Boilard, director of shelter operator Kaydenz Kitchen, laid out the estimated timeline and budget needed in order to get the region’s first 24-hour shelter up and running by the fall.

While the shelter effort was awarded a $2.5 million grant from MaineHousing last year toward development costs, Boilard said it has requested $400,000 each from Lewiston, Auburn and Androscoggin County for operational expenses. As Lewiston and Auburn approach budget season, that funding is not guaranteed.

Boilard said Wednesday that the long-term goal is to make the shelter self-sustaining through thrift store revenue and grants.

As spring approaches, there are many moving pieces that still need to be finalized before the fall, including architectural designs, the site plan and licensing approvals from City Hall, and an estimated $350,000 in renovations to the building.

Boilard said an appraisal was recently completed for the building — the former Schemengees Bar & Grille at 551 Lincoln St. location — and that negotiations are taking place toward the purchase of the property. He told the council last week that the property is valued at $1.7 million.

Boilard said he is also finalizing a contract with an architectural firm to develop plans for renovations needed for the space. While the building is operating as the Lewiston-Auburn emergency warming center, renovations would add showers, individual living spaces and other needs for a 24-hour operation.

He said the shelter board is also working on programming and operational guidelines that are needed for the city’s licensing process, an application process that he hopes can take place in March or April. Boilard said a new nonprofit entity and new board was recently formed to oversee the permanent shelter, separating it from his nonprofit Kaydenz Kitchen.

In the coming months, Boilard said the team is looking at establishing a new thrift store in a downtown location, the revenue from which would be used toward operating expenses at the shelter.

“Our biggest goal is to not go asking for people’s money,” he said. “Our goal is to ask for opportunities to create a self-sustainable model that can benefit everybody in the community.”

A draft operating budget presented to the Lewiston council last week totaled $1.8 million for a 45-bed shelter, with $1.2 million coming from local requests. Asked if there’s a contingency in place if the local funding is not secured this year, Boilard said the shelter board will be seeking grants and other sources of funding.

However, he told the council last week that the local funding, at least in the short-term, is “crucial to the long-term sustainability of this project.”

“We’re looking to get the doors open,” he said. “At the same time, we understand that after year one that that primary responsibility of keeping those doors open falls on us.”

Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline and city staff have already signaled that next year’s budget will be difficult. Sheline said Wednesday that the upcoming budget “will be extremely tight and we have hard work to do. My goal this budget season is to avoid any staff layoffs.”

Reached Wednesday, Auburn Mayor Jeff Harmon confirmed that the city had received the funding request from Boilard, but said appropriating funds for homeless services will not occur until budget deliberations in March.

During last week’s discussion, shelter committee Chairperson Craig Saddlemire said he was optimistic about the progress being made toward the shelter.

“I think we’re in the thick of the work,” he said, also urging the council to help advocate for proposed legislation that could bring more state funding toward the shelter.

Regarding the development timeline, Sheline said, “I hope they are able to secure an architect soon and start discussions with contractors shortly after that. Next winter will be coming up quite quick.”

Asked if he had any concerns regarding the tight timeline, Boilard said he’s “comfortable” with what he’s proposed and the steps that need to occur this spring and summer, including the Planning Board process.

Boilard also said that while the goal remains to open in September, he’s factoring in a 60-day buffer in case of delays, with the shelter at least opening before winter weather arrives.

“Our goal has not changed, but our ultimate goal is to be open before the temperature starts to drastically change,” he said.