Windstream sees interest in former Maytag HQ

Negotiations are under way between Windstream and an unidentified company to purchase the former Maytag corporate headquarters on West Fourth Street in Newton.

A Windstream official confirmed the news on Wednesday.

“We have not reached a definitive agreement to sell the campus.” Windstream spokesman David Avery wrote via email. “However, we are in discussions and have signed confidentiality agreements that prohibit us from commenting further.”

Newton Development Corporation Executive Director Frank Liebl is excited about the possibility of the sale of Maytag’s former headquarters.

“We will know something in the next 30 days because a letter of intent has been signed,” he said. “We’re really excited to learn more about this. We don’t have a lot of information yet. We have a meeting scheduled in the next week with the potential buyers, and then we’ll get a better idea of what they’re planning for this facility if they go through with the purchase.”

Windstream acquired the property as part of its purchase of Iowa Telecom in 2010 and has been trying unsuccessfully to sell it ever since. Last November, Windtream took out an ad in the Wall Street Journal offering the property for sale for $1 under certain restrictions.

Prior to the sale, Iowa Telecom invested money in the property to create potential office space and open up the courtyard. To date, those improvements have not successfully sold the property. Customer service company Caleris and Madhouse Brewery rent space at the facility, but much of it remains empty.