John Coleman, founder and CEO of The VIA Group, goes over blueprints for the renovation of Portland’s historic Baxter Library Building. Donated to the city by six-term mayor and philanthropist James Phinney Baxter, the building served as the city library until 1979. The Maine College of Art purchased Baxter in 1983 and it was operated as part of the college through 2009, when it went on the market. After several sales arrangements fell through, the building seemed poised on the brink of disrepair. In early 2010, Coleman stepped in and arranged a tenant-buyer agreement for VIA with Northland Enterprises. When VIA completes the renovations and opens for business in the new location this fall, the company will continue to host frequent public events, in step with the civic spirit of James Phinney Baxter and the burgeoning Congress Street Creative Corridor. Coleman says finding a comparable space and opportunity in a place like the advertising capital, New York City, “Wouldn’t even be an option,” for the privately-held company.