• Introduction
• Projects in Greater Portland
• Legislative Issues
• Preservation
  Movement
• Policy Positions
• Sustainability
• Quality of Place
• Advocacy Links

Our quality of place.

Governor John Baldacci established the Governor’s Council on Maine’s Quality of Place in March 2007 to recommend an action plan for protecting, investing in and enhancing Maine’s distinctive quality of place. That quality — the ready access to natural beauty and recreational activities, coupled with charming, authentic historic downtowns — gives Maine an edge in attracting people who can live and work anywhere in the country, as well as tourists. The council’s work drew from and expanded upon the 2006 Brookings Institution report, Charting Maine’s Future, sponsored by GrowSmart Maine.

GPL’s Executive Director Hilary Bassett was a member of the Council, served as liaison to the historic preservation community, and helped develop action plans supporting historic preservation, downtown revitalization, and preservation education. The council’s recommendations emphasize the importance of “asset-based” investment and regional strategies for downtown revitalization and protecting the natural environment. In addition, they support integrating curricula that support quality of place into the state’s educational system. Of particular interest to preservationists are the recommendations to enhance historic preservation tools (see Legislative Issues for more information on Maine Historic Preservation Tax Credits and Statewide Building Codes), and to provide funds for capital investments through the Community Preservation Act, and preservation education initiatives at both the university and community college system. See the Governor’s Council on Maine’s Quality of Place for more information.