LEWISTON — Crews began demolition work Monday along Pine Street to make way for the 104-unit DeWitt development, the second phase of the city’s Choice Neighborhoods redevelopment effort.

The work will raze two buildings along the stretch of Pine Street between Park and Bates streets, which includes a former Sun Journal building at 40 Pine St. that was once the site of the DeWitt hotel.

On Monday, the work began on 60 Pine St. after barricades were placed along the block across from Kennedy Park.

Chris Kilmurry, executive director of Lewiston Housing, which is behind the development, said demolition is scheduled to take six to eight weeks. Construction is slated to last 18 months, with completion anticipated in early 2027, he said.

The apartments, spread between two five-story buildings, will be a mix of workforce and market-rate units, with 83 income-restricted affordable units and 21 market-rate units. It will also feature ground floor commercial space.

The DeWitt project follows the 82-unit Wedgewood project, which redeveloped a large section along Pine, Pierce, Walnut and Bartlett streets, including the historic Wedgewood house.

Both developments stem from Lewiston’s Choice Neighborhoods program, which was awarded $35 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development toward a downtown “transformation plan” that replaces distressed housing while also boosting other neighborhood needs such as child care and health care.

Last year, Lewiston Housing and its development partner Avesta Housing requested further financial assistance from the city after the DeWitt project had a funding shortfall due to higher construction costs.

Earlier this year, the council approved a series of amendments to a credit enhancement agreement and TIF program that will provide the development an estimated $543,636 through property tax reimbursement over 19 years.

Lewiston Housing also has approval for an additional 72-unit development behind DeWitt on Ash Street.