LEWISTON — The developer behind a much-anticipated and sometimes controversial senior housing project at the former Martel School property says construction is on track to begin this summer.

Chris Kilmurry, executive director of Lewiston Housing, said Wednesday that the organization is finalizing the details with MaineHousing and its investors, and has a goal to “get shovels in the ground by summer” on the first 44 units.

The project is set up to add another 44 units in a second phase once additional funding is secured.

A string of delays stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic have led to criticism and continued questions from residents, who have for years emphasized the need for more senior housing in Lewiston. Plans to use the site for senior housing have been in the works since at least 2019.

When the City Council discussed the forthcoming DeWitt development on Tuesday, which is another Lewiston Housing project, questions were again raised about the Martel development. Prior to the council approving $225,000 in federal HOME funds for the DeWitt project, resident Matt Agren urged the council to withhold the DeWitt funding until the Martel project has begun.

Kilmurry on Wednesday pushed back on the claim that the project has had any further delays.

“There are acceptable ranges for the completion of these complex deals and a summer start falls squarely within that range,” he said. “We are funded, and this is going to happen. (Maine Housing) and (Lewiston Housing) are very committed to the project, and we continue to work through the normal processes to bring us to a construction closing.”

The development will mark the first new senior housing in Lewiston in years, but it has been a long road to reach this point.

Having been previously approved by the Lewiston Planning Board in late 2023, the project received $5.4 million in state funding in May of last year. The three-story brick building at 860 Lisbon St., which closed in 2019, was demolished last year after some delay stemming from asbestos remediation.

In August 2024, the City Council approved a final amended option agreement between the city and Lewiston Housing, clearing the way for the sale of the property. At the time, officials said an issue with the property title, which slightly delayed the sale, had been resolved, and that Lewiston Housing would be closing on the sale imminently.

The city entered into a two-year option agreement with Lewiston Housing in 2020. However, the council eventually decided to explore other options due to uncertainty around affordable housing development. Developer Dave Gendron expressed interest in a commercial development, which received some early support from a previous council, but many city officials and residents pushed for affordable senior housing.

In the spring of 2023, Lewiston Housing was again chosen to redevelop the property.

Mayor Carl Sheline has supported Lewiston Housing’s involvement in the project since he was first elected.

“Lewiston Housing has been a good faith partner in this development from the beginning and I appreciate their patience as we worked through everything,” he said. “This project is a win for Lewiston and for our seniors who are desperately in need of affordable housing.”