WESTBROOK – When Rob Mitchell looks at the Presumpscot River and the Westbrook riverwalk, he sees untapped opportunities that should be attracting people to the city’s natural beauty. But, he said, there are no amenities keeping people here.

“Where is everybody?” he said last week about the riverwalk. “What if you want to get a cup of coffee or a sandwich? You have to leave the boardwalk.”

Mitchell’s response is under construction now – a three-story building along the riverwalk, with specific plans for a ground floor cafe?, outdoor patio and gardens. The property, technically on Ash Street, but lying between Westbrook Housing’s Spring Crossing apartments and the historic former Hay Funeral Home building, provides easy access to the river.

Mitchell, the owner of HVAC Services in Westbrook and an avid kayaker, is hoping that his investment in Westbrook’s riverfront will inspire others to follow his lead.

He also sees big changes coming to the riverfront and downtown area when the Saccarappa dams are removed and the new Bridge Street bridge and pedestrian walkway are completed. Construction on the bridge is set to begin in early 2015.

“The reality of it is, in five years, it’s going to be dramatically different,” he said about downtown Westbrook.

The building, sited behind Main Street, is becoming more visible each week.

On Friday, workers from R.P. Morrison Builders Inc., the company behind the construction, were scattered within the building and on the roof.

“He certainly has a vision,” said Roland Morrison, president of the company, about Mitchell’s plans.

Morrison said construction began about three months ago, and the builders have encountered difficult weather lately, with significant rain, but have managed to stay on schedule. The plan is for a spring completion date.

Walking up a series of ladders to the third floor Friday, Mitchell pointed out the views of the river. He stood just under the fourth floor roof deck that he hopes can serve as a meeting space for city functions. Looking out to the river, he said he’s picturing kayak rentals for the building.

The entire building is 12,032 square feet, with 3,008 square feet per floor. The 72-by-42-foot building will give way to a patio and garden that connect directly to the riverwalk, and further down, to a dock on the river. While Mitchell says he doesn’t have a single tenant lined up yet, he called the first-floor cafe? “critical” to his plan.

“Every possible option I have to make this more appealing, I’m taking that path,” he said about the meticulous plans.

Bill Baker, Westbrook’s assistant city administrator for business and community relations, said Monday that Mitchell’s investment is “big for us” as a city.

“It will be one of the few commercial buildings downtown to take full advantage of the river and I hope will lead to a really successful outcome in terms of quality tenants and increased commercial activity downtown,” he said. “It will be one more reason for people to see the riverwalk and enjoy all that this area has to offer.”

Mitchell is also modest about the considerable investment he’s making with the project.

“I’m basically using my life savings on this,” he said. “There’s no bank involved, and I’m 100 percent committed to making this work.”

Mitchell estimates the project will be in the range of $2.5 million by the time it’s completed.

Mitchell also recently purchased riverfront property off Lincoln Street, north of the Dana Warp Mill. Originally, he looked to develop this property first, eyeing a kayaking haven of sorts following the closure of the Saccarappa dams. But, with the recent delay of dam removal until May 2017, Mitchell switched gears.

He’s admittedly concerned that the project will be completed prior to the other major changes to the downtown and river area, which could affect locking down tenants. But, he said, he’s hoping others will follow with investment along the river.

“With all the construction starting down here, people will get this visualization that ‘wow, this is all going to change,’” he said.

Mitchell said he’d also be working with the city to make improvements to the portion of the riverwalk that runs through his property, perhaps removing brush and fencing. He said this portion of the river provides the first water access above the falls, a “takeout” in kayaker lingo.

When Mitchell first purchased the lot, residents from Spring Crossing became concerned with his plans for the new building, their diminished views and especially for a beloved tree that was taken down. However, Mitchell said, he’s having the tree made into benches and possibly a table to be included in the landscaping, and the residents are looking forward to taking advantage of the cafe?.

Chris LaRoche, the executive director of Westbrook Housing, said Tuesday that following the initial concerns from residents, Mitchell was “a very good neighbor,” and reached out to them with plans for the benches.

“We’re strong supporters of this project,” he said.

Mitchell said he sees this project as an opportunity.

“People ask me why this makes sense, and this is about having a space where people can get to the river, and enjoy the river,” he said. “I don’t let a lot of opportunities go by.”

Rob Mitchell, pointing to the Presumpscot River and Saccarappa Falls from the third floor of his Ash Street development Friday, said he wants the commercial building to serve as an amenity for people utilizing Westbrook’s riverwalk.  Employees of R.P. Morrison Builders Inc. were hard at work Friday on a new three-story building off Ash Street. The shell of the building has been quickly constructed.?