Phoenix-based U-Haul International Inc. recently purchased the former Arrow Hart electrical-equipment plant in Brunswick, Maine, and is converting it to self-storage. U-Haul Moving & Storage of Arrow Hart at 1 Cressey Road officially opened today with a temporary showroom that offers moving and packing supplies, and truck and trailer rentals, according to a company press release. The 186,293-square-foot building will also house the marketing offices for the U-Haul Co. of Maine.

Renovations for the 18.17-acre site include the addition of more than 500 storage units, which are expected to be complete this summer. Hitch installation, propane sales and U-Box portable-storage containers will also soon be available.

"This building sat empty for more than five years," said Jon Hynes, president of the U-Haul Co. of Maine. "The manufacturing plant had been around for more than 35 years. It's the largest building in the area, so it's important it doesn't become an eyesore."

"Brunswick is a really close-knit community, and we are excited to be here," Hynes added. "The area is growing fast, and our other U-Haul locations just aren't big enough to keep up with customer demand. This is the perfect opportunity to grow and serve this community well."

The opening of the Brunswick property was driven by U-Haul’s corporate sustainability initiatives, which support infill development to help local communities lower their carbon footprint, the release stated. U-Haul’s adaptive reuse of existing structures eliminates the amount of energy and resources required for new-construction materials and helps local cities diminish their unwanted inventory of unused buildings, U-Haul officials said.

Established in 1945, U-Haul has more than 44 million square feet of storage space at more than 1,200 owned facilities throughout North America.

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