Franklin Towers residents forced to move after renovations reveal hazardous chemicals

Portland Residents Forced to Leave Franklin Towers as Toxic Chemicals Spur $50‑Million Overhaul

Portland, Maine – Residents of the 16‑story Franklin Towers on Cumberland Avenue are being told to leave their homes as the Portland Housing Authority (PHA) pushes ahead with a $50‑million renovation that has been delayed for more than a year. The decision follows the discovery of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a toxic chemical once common in building materials, in the building’s soil and air.

The building, which opened in 1969 as the first federally subsidized low‑income senior housing complex in the city, now houses roughly 150 residents, many of whom are older adults or people with disabilities. The PHA’s letter dated October 6 warned that testing had uncovered PCBs in several areas and that the only way to address the problem safely would be to vacate the tower entirely.

“We have to find another place to live, that’s all there is to it,” said 57‑year‑old David Caston, who has lived in the tower for 17 years. “I’m not happy about it all, but there’s nothing I can do about it.” Caston was told he would not have to pay the full cost of moving, and that the PHA would cover relocation expenses and keep his housing subsidy intact.

The PHA, which manages the building and all 200 units, said it will reimburse all residents for moving costs and keep their 30‑percent rent subsidy in place regardless of where the new homes are located. “We’re working to minimize the impact on residents to the extent possible,” the agency’s letter noted. “We understand that Franklin Towers is your home, and we recognize how difficult a temporary move can be.”

According to Jay Waterman, PHA’s director of real‑estate development, the search for temporary housing could take up to six months. “It all depends on finding the right temporary homes to accommodate all our Franklin Towers residents and their diverse needs,” Waterman wrote in an email. “We are committed to ensuring no one is displaced without a personalized housing plan.”

The PHA has been coordinating with other local affordable‑housing organizations to locate suitable interim homes. Residents will retain the right to return to the tower once the renovations are complete.

The renovation plan, which the PHA says will improve energy efficiency with new windows, upgraded ventilation and heating, and a comprehensive facelift, has been stalled by the discovery of the PCBs. The building was originally slated to begin work in 2025, with completion expected next year, but construction is now at least a year behind schedule.

The discovery is not the first sign of trouble. In 2022, the tower experienced a week‑long electrical outage that left residents without power for a significant period. Bugs and plumbing problems have also plagued the building over the years.

The Franklin Towers, a 57‑year‑old structure, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2024. The designation made the PHA eligible for tax credits that could reduce renovation costs by up to $14 million, according to former executive director Brian Frost. Despite the savings, the agency acknowledges that it has struggled to keep the building’s major systems operational.

“Waterproofing, HVAC, and electrical systems are all in need of a deep overhaul,” said Waterman. “The tax credits are a major help, but the scale of work required is still daunting.”

For residents, the announcement has left many uncertain. “I just know I have to pack my things,” said Caston, who has already received keys to a temporary unit on the top floor of the tower. “I’m not sure where I’ll end up or how long it will take.”

The PHA has promised that the relocation process will be coordinated and that residents will not be left without a housing plan. The agency also emphasized that moving costs would be covered and that rent subsidies would continue at the same rate of 30 % of income.

The Franklin Towers has been a staple of Portland’s affordable‑housing community for nearly six decades, and its future is now in limbo as the city works to address the toxic hazards that threaten the health of its residents. The outcome of the renovation—and the duration of residents’ displacement—will be closely watched by both the PHA and the community at large.