Project Timeline

Phase I: Community Input & Design (Spring 2024-2025)

Khmer Maine is conducting an AAPI community-wide qualitative survey of organizations, communities, and leaders to assess needs that can be met through the creation of a Community Center in Westbrook. Survey results will inform the Community Center’s design. 

Through this process, Khmer Maine will also identify prospective tenants and partner organizations that would maximize the benefit to Maine’s underserved AAPI populations. Tenants and partner organizations will contribute to the viability of the project through financial agreements and as continual thought partners. 

Phase II: Site Planning & Infrastructure (Summer and Fall 2026)

WKhmer Maine and the Community Center’s partner organizations will secure a 50-year lease agreement from Watt Samaki for the Community Center. 

The Community Center project leadership has begun to engage civil engineers, architects, and contractors to plan for the Community Center’s infrastructure. 

  • Steve Weatherhead (Principal, Winton Scott Architects) is the project’s lead architectural consultant. 

  • Acorn Engineering is the project’s civil engineering firm and is due to submit a Master Development Plan to the City of Westbrook in February 2024.

The Project Cost Estimate of the Community Center is attached in this application. It includes the costs of the roadway, parking, sewage and utility access, and public trail access, which will be built during this phase.

At this time, Khmer Maine and AAPI organization partners will continue fundraising for the Community Center’s construction and reserves.

Phase III: Construction (Summer 2026-Summer 2028)

Feedback from Phase I will inform the design of the Community Center. 

The Community Center’s project leadership anticipates a financing timeline of 2-5 years. Private philanthropists have given assurance of seed money for the construction of the building. Securing federal funding and support for this needed hub in southern Maine would attract additional funds from local foundations.