Getting involved on the state level.
Greater Portland Landmarks becomes involved in Maine legislative issues and opportunities that impact historic preservation, downtown revitalization, and architectural excellence. Several recent initiatives have been inspired by recommendations in the Brookings Institution Report, Charting Maine’s Future, commissioned by GrowSmart Maine, and two reports from the Governor’s Council on Maine’s Quality of Place, whose members included GPL’s Executive Director Hilary Bassett.
Maine Historic Preservation Tax Credits
The 2008 Maine Historic Preservation Tax Credit promotes investment in rehabilitating historic structures for commercial purposes by offering a 25% refundable credit for qualified rehabilitation expenses. A maximum credit of $5,000,000 is available per project placed into service in the year in which a credit is claimed. For projects that include affordable housing, there is an additional 5% tax credit. The credit also provides for small projects of $50,000 to $250,000 in qualified rehabilitation expenses. The credit is available only for expenditures incurred between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2013. For current information and state guidelines see the Maine Historic Preservation Commission.
A helpful tool to evaluate your project for the Maine Historic Preservation Tax Credit is: Seven Steps to Ensure Successful Certification of Historic Rehabilitation Projects, by Amy Cole Ives of Sutherland Consulting (downloadable PDF provided below).
Statewide Building and Energy Codes
The statewide code, passed in 2008, makes it easier for developers and contractors to work in different towns, which previously had different codes. The new uniform building and energy codes will be implemented in January 2010. For historic preservation, this will be important, as the state will adopt the International Existing Building Code (IEBC), which facilitates rehabilitation projects. A state Building and Technical Standards Board, to be appointed in late 2008, will provide oversight for the state code. For more information, see the Maine State Planning Office.
Historic Schools
Discussion continues about how to level the playing field in the state’s evaluation process for rehabilitation of historic school buildings versus new construction. An important legislative initiative, passed in 2008, changes the energy efficiency requirements for renovation of historic schools to recognize differences in historic construction methods and materials compared to new construction. For the text of this legislation, see State of Maine.
Downtown Revitalization
Greater Portland Landmarks is part of the Downtown Coalition, coordinated by GrowSmart Maine. The coalition’s goal is to protect and enhance our unique communities across the state by advocating for Maine’s historic downtowns, Main Streets, village centers and surrounding neighborhoods. One of the key initiatives is to promote investment in downtowns and educate citizens to incorporate historic preservation tools and techniques into downtown revitalization. More information is available at the GrowSmart Maine website.
Seven Steps to Ensure Successful Certification of Historic Rehabilitation Projects