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The Washington County marine science lab is shopping for 10 acres subsequent to its campus to make sure extra housing for the rising program.
Housing shortage is so unhealthy one pupil lived in a tent after they had been instructed they needed to go away a seasonal rental whereas one other worker on the institute moved six instances in three years. College students usually have to remain in Machias, which is almost an hour away.
The Downeast Institute is buying a trio of properties on Nice Wass Island for $900,000. The land contains six houses and a few undeveloped shoreline, which is able to enable the institute extra alternatives to draw researchers to the rocky outcrop.
“We’re keen on it as a result of we’ve grown a lot that we’ve outstripped our means to deal with individuals,” stated Diane Tilton, the Downeast Institute’s government director.
Prior to now few years, the science facility has elevated the variety of undergraduate interns and began a fellowship program to deliver extra researchers to the island off Beals. The nonprofit has some housing on campus, however college students, visiting researchers and potential new hires usually suppose twice about going due to a lack of places to live.
“We’ve attracted a bunch of individuals to work right here however they’ve a tough time discovering a spot to dwell,” Tilton stated. “There actually isn’t something a lot in the local people.”
A number of different scientific outfits within the area have purchased actual property. The Jackson Laboratory not too long ago built its own apartments in Bar Harbor as a result of workers couldn’t discover locations to dwell.
The institute’s buy from its neighbor, a descendant of the Beal household, may also embrace entry to a mudflat that’s inside strolling distance from campus. Tilton stated the extra shorefront will bolster the state’s shrinking access to clam flats and assist the institute’s shellfish research.
The Downeast Institute has buy and sale agreements with the proprietor and the sale is ready to undergo subsequent month. The institute plans to embark on a $2 million capital marketing campaign subsequent yr to pay for the true property and assist with any wanted renovations.
“We couldn’t move this up,” Tilton stated. “Everybody says it is a once-in-a-lifetime alternative and I’m fairly positive they’re proper.”
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