By Nate Jones

Staff Writer 

Cape Elizabeth resident Eric Matheson has been trying to build a sound stage in Maine for the past 12 years. Having produced upwards of 84 feature films, Matheson said he has helped construct studios in other states and could possibly assist the city of South Portland in converting the old National Guard Armory building to a new attraction for major film producers.

“You have a problem with that building,” he said at a public forum Monday. “You can either sell it or lease it, and as a sound stage there would be room for production offices, a gallery, community event space and school art projects. I’ve seen it done before.”

It was the very first time South Portland residents have had their chance to address the city council about the future of the old National Guard Armory that has sat largely vacant since 1994. City Manager Jim Gailey said the city purchased the building in 2006 for $650,000 as part of a bankruptcy court proceeding, which prevented the city from receiving public input.

“The purchase has been a source of criticism for the last two years,” he said. “There was no public vote or meeting since it would have essentially tipped our hand to other bidders.”

Matheson said as a sound stage and possible production studio the Armory could attract major film producers such as Paramount films, being in such close proximity to an airport. 

“There are four sound stages going up in Boston because they have an airport,” he said. “Well, we’ve got an airport.”

Other suggestions for the building ranged from converting the space into a new city hall – “Just bite the bullet,” as resident Adam Solinksy said – to converting the space into a skate park or simply bulldozing the building and selling the remaining land. 

“I have a list of 10 things to do with the armory,” resident Albert Dimillo said before repeating “Sell it,” as many times. “You probably can’t sell it for $500,000 but if you can get $350,000 that’s only a $250,000 loss.”

Several residents spoke against converting the space into a new  city hall – the number one suggestion of a 2007 report from the Armory Committee’s property reuse report – although Gailey said putting currently separated municipal branches “under one roof” could save the city up to $46,000 annually in rent.

“There’s no worse place you could place a building,” resident Mark Demione said. “Traffic would be horrendous for a new city hall or library. The town owning it is not the way forward, and I would like to see more fiduciary responsibility on your part before spending my money.”

Matheson said leasing the property as a sound studio could potentially generate taxes for the city. 

“It’s a chance to attract business from out-of-state major studios,” he said, adding he planned on “harassing” the council about the property in the future.