ELLSWORTH — Heart of Ellsworth, in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Midcoast Board of REALTORS®, the National Association of REALTORS®, Main Street America, and the City of Ellsworth, has launched a Downtown Housing Opportunity Project aimed at increasing housing availability, activating underutilized spaces and supporting long-term economic vitality.
This initiative is made possible through funding from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Association of REALTORS® Housing Opportunity Grant program, with additional support from the Midcoast Board of REALTORS®. The project leverages Main Street America’s Building Opportunities on Main Street (BOOMS) Tracker, a national tool designed to help communities better understand and activate their built environment.
The Downtown Housing Opportunity Project will analyze and document approximately 272 buildings within the downtown district to identify underutilized spaces, redevelopment-ready properties and opportunities for upper-floor housing. By combining data collection, property research, and stakeholder engagement, the project will generate actionable insights to guide investment, policy and development strategies.
“One of the biggest opportunities we have in Ellsworth is within our existing buildings,” said Twila Fisher, director of economic development for the City of Ellsworth. “This project will help us identify underutilized and upper-floor spaces and turn that knowledge into actionable strategies that support both housing and economic growth.”
“This project allows us to take a data-driven approach to one of our district’s most pressing challenges — housing and the use of our downtown spaces,” said Cara Romano, executive director of Heart of Ellsworth. “By working closely with property owners and partners, we’re gaining a clearer understanding of where opportunities exist to create more housing and support small business growth in our community.”
The project will be carried out in collaboration with the Heart of Ellsworth Economic Vitality Committee and local and regional partners, including the City of Ellsworth and the Ellsworth Public Library. It will include outreach to property owners and stakeholders throughout the process, with findings compiled into a comprehensive report and shared publicly to support ongoing community engagement.
In addition to identifying housing opportunities, the project will strengthen the City of Ellsworth and Heart of Ellsworth’s ability to attract developers, investors, and new businesses by providing clear, accessible data about downtown properties and development potential.
As communities across Maine continue to face housing and downtown space challenges, initiatives like this demonstrate how local leadership, national tools, and strategic partnerships can come together to create meaningful, place-based solutions.
For more information about the Downtown Housing Opportunity Project, visit https://www.heartofellsworth.org/dt-housing-opportunity
This project is made possible through collaboration with the City of Ellsworth, Main Street America, and the Ellsworth Public Library, with funding support from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Midcoast Board of REALTORS®, and the National Association of REALTORS®.
Heart of Ellsworth is a nationally accredited Main Street organization dedicated to strengthening downtown Ellsworth through economic vitality, historic preservation, and community engagement. Through strategic partnerships, data-driven initiatives, and place-based programming, Heart of Ellsworth supports local businesses, enhances the downtown experience, and fosters a vibrant, sustainable district.
