Downtown property Inventory & Development Readiness Assessment

Unlocking Housing Potential in Downtown Ellsworth

Ellsworth is at a pivotal moment. With the recent designation of the Downtown Historic District, property owners now have access to tools like historic tax credits through our friends at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, making building rehabilitation and adaptive reuse more feasible. This creates new opportunities to reinvest in existing buildings while preserving the character of downtown.

At the same time, the need for housing (especially for workforce and year-round residents) continues to grow.

This project connects these two opportunities: leveraging historic preservation to expand housing in downtown Ellsworth.

Read About the Project

Project resources

The tools and resources below offer downtown property owners a central place to access key property information and opportunities available in connection with the Downtown Property Inventory Assessment project. As the initiative progresses, this repository will continue to grow into a practical resource shaped by careful research and direct engagement with the people who know downtown Ellsworth best to inform and consider our shared future.

Use the City of Ellsworth tax map to locate your property and parcel number

View Ellsworth Tax Map

Search City property tax records for additional parcel and ownership information

Look up a Tax Bill

Access Main Street America tools and guidance for downtown businesses and property owners

Main Street America Small Business Hub

Review strategies, tools, and resources for expanding housing opportunities

Housing Guidebook for Local Leaders

Project contact

Behind the initiative is a highly hands-on process led by a project coordinator to bring together public records, building information, local knowledge, and conversations with downtown property owners.

Madeline “Maddy” brings both project management experience and a lifelong connection to Ellsworth to this work. Raised in Hancock County, she has worked, lived, and spent much of her life in and around downtown Ellsworth. Her local knowledge and research experience help shape a thoughtful, property-by-property approach to the project.

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Project Overview

Heart of Ellsworth, in partnership with the Mid-Coast Board of REALTORS®, National Trust for Historic Preservation, the City of Ellsworth, and the Ellsworth Public Library, is leading a data-driven effort to identify housing opportunities within downtown properties.

At the center of this work is BOOMS Tracker (Building Opportunities on Main Street). This is a map-based tool used to gather, organize, and visualize data about downtown buildings.

Through this project, we will:

  • Inventory all floors of downtown buildings

  • Document current uses and vacancy

  • Identify underutilized spaces with housing potential

  • Create a shared dataset to guide future development

This project is guided by Heart of Ellsworth’s Economic Vitality Committee and staff.

Why this Matters

Ellsworth serves as the commercial center of Hancock County, making it a critical hub for economic activity, services, and regional connectivity. However, housing availability remains a growing challenge, alongside the need for additional retail and office space within the district.

To ensure the downtown district remains attractive, vibrant, and economically sustainable, it is essential to support a diverse mix of businesses and services. Expanding housing options while fostering a balanced blend of retail, office, and service-based enterprises will strengthen the district’s ability to serve both residents and visitors, and support long-term growth.

Project approach

Property Inventory (BOOMS Tracker)

  • Map and document building uses

  • Identify vacancy and underutilized space

  • Create a shared, visual dataset

Property Owner Engagement

  • Understand goals and barriers

  • Identify feasibility and readiness

  • Connect owners to tools like historic tax credits

Housing Opportunity

  • Report key findings and opportunity sites

  • Barriers and recommended solutions

  • Clear next steps toward housing development

Community Engagement

  • Public presentation at Ellsworth Public Library

  • Online project page with accessible results

  • Ongoing use of BOOMS Tracker to track progress

This map shows the official boundary of our downtown district. Having a clearly defined district helps us answer a common community question about what “downtown” includes, while also creating a stronger foundation for planning, data collection, and future investment.

expected outcomes

long-term

  • New housing units in downtown buildings

  • Increased downtown vitality and year-round residency

  • Preservation and activation of historic structures

  • A more resilient and accessible housing market

Short-term

  • Clear understanding of downtown building use

  • Identification of feasible housing opportunities

  • Increased property owner awareness of tools and incentives

Project Partners

FUNDING
FUNDING + MARKET EXPERTISE
 
FUNDING + PRESERVATION EXPERTISE
 
FUNDING
MUNICIPAL COORDINATION
 
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
 
RESOURCE CREATOR + ACCREDITING ORGANIZATION
 
EXPLORE OUR PARTNERS BY CLICKING THEIR LOGOS