LEWISTON — The City Council unanimously approved the first reading of a contract zone Tuesday for a 74-unit downtown housing development, the first under the ambitious Choice Neighborhoods redevelopment plan.

If the second reading is approved June 7, developers will move ahead with final design work, and seek a site plan review from the Planning Board late this summer or early fall, according to Misty Parker, economic development manager.

Parker said the goal is to begin construction this winter.

City staff and officials from Avesta Housing, the developer, said the contract zone will allow the project to work with the unique parcel to create a “model block” of new housing and shared community spaces.