Downtown Housing AND VACANT SPACE Opportunity Assessment

Unlocking Housing Potential in Downtown Ellsworth

Photo of Downtown Ellsworth. Full Credit to No Umbrella Media.

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.

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

Project Overview

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

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.

Why this Matters

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

Project approach

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

Short-term

  • Clear understanding of downtown building use

  • Identification of feasible housing opportunities

  • Increased property owner awareness of tools and incentives

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

Project Partners

PROJECT LEAD + COORDINATION
FUNDING + MARKET EXPERTISE
 
FUNDING + PRESERVATION EXPERTISE
MUNICIPAL COORDINATION
 
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
 
RESOURCE CREATOR + ACCREDITING ORGANIZATION

EXPLORE OUR PARTNERS BY CLICKING THEIR LOGOS

FUNDING