BIDDEFORD – A local businessman is infusing new energy into a vacant building.

Jim Godbout, the owner of Godbout Plumbing and Heating, is moving his business to 486 Elm St. in Biddeford.

Godbout is a familiar face to many, and is known for his service to the community including spearheading an effort to renovate Waterhouse Field, where local sports are played.

Godbout’s business has come a long way since he started 35 years ago, running it out of the basement of his Biddeford home with just a few employees. Today, he has about 50 employees and the business had outgrown its 48 Elm St. location.

Godbout saw potential in the building at 486 Elm St., which had been sitting idle for several years and was in dire condition.

“I had a vision almost immediately,” he said.

The building brings with it a varied history, having been most recently housed a car parts store but has also been home to a car dealership and a grocery store.

According to city records, the building at 486 Elm St. is more than 15,000 square feet and sits on a nearly 3 acre property. The property has frontage along Route 1 and plenty of parking onsite to accommodate the business.

There is ample space in the building for Godbout to house his well-established plumbing and heating business as well as Provencher Fuels, a propane and oil delivery service he bought about a year ago which is currently located at 453 Elm St.

The roof has been replaced, new windows have been put in and new heating and plumbing systems installed. A warehouse operations have begun in a large space in the back of the building, and office space and a showroom are being outfitted in the front of the building, with large windows streaming in natural life.

“We’ve brought some life back to the building,” said Godbout.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 780-9015 or email egotthelf@journaltribune.com.