On August 7, 2025 the Maine Historic Preservation Commission (Commission) announced the availability of Grants for development, pre-development, archaeology, survey, public education, planning and National Register listing projects in Maine. Eligible applicants were limited to the eleven Certified Local Government Communities in Maine: Augusta, Topsham, Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, Gardiner, Saco, Castine, Kennebunk, Biddeford and York, and the subject property for development, pre-development or acquisition projects must be National Register listed. The last date for applications to be received was October 3, 2025. Five complete applications were received by the Commission as outlined in the summary below. However, the application from Saco was disqualified because the scope of work did not meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties: Preservation or Restoration. Click on the link to view the summaries.
The Commission is soliciting public comments on the grant applications until Friday, January 9, 2026.
To request a copy of one or more of the applications, or a copy of the grant manual which contains the funding priorities and selection criteria, please contact Kirk Mohney at (207) 287-3811 or kirk.mohney@maine.gov.
CLG 2025 Grant Application Summaries
Biddeford Architectural Survey Beyond the Historic Districts
Amount requested: $14,375.63
Applicant: City of Biddeford
Summary:
This project is to provide a reconnaissance level survey of Biddeford’s 75 +/- oldest resources outside the downtown historic districts.
Staff Attendance, Forum 2026
Amount requested: $3,783.00
Applicant: City of Portland
Summary:
The City of Portland Historic Preservation Program is requesting a grant to aid in covering the costs of sending the Historic Preservation Program Manager and Associate Preservation Planner to attend the biannual National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) Conference, Forum, which is being held in Minneapolis from July 22-26, 2026.
Fifth Maine Museum Engineering Specifications
Amount requested: $14,332.50
Applicant: City of Portland
Summary:
The Fifth Maine Museum is requesting support to fund an engineer to develop and provide specifications and permit drawings for structural repairs to building foundation, thermal envelope, and waterproofing in order for the museum to develop a plan and fundraising efforts for the work in subsequent years.
Mechanics’ Hall Bulkhead Replacement
Amount requested: $13,357.00
Applicant: City of Portland
Summary:
Mechanics' Hall seeks support to replace a failing sidewalk bulkhead on Casco Street, which poses a public safety hazard and allows water to leak into the basement, threatening the historic foundation. The corroded steel frame and deformed door require full replacement with proper structural support to prevent further damage and maintain critical basement access for future infrastructure repairs.
School Street Apartments
Amount requested: $41,250.00
Applicant: City of Saco
Summary:
Quality Housing Coalition, in partnership with the City of Saco, is proposing to convert Saco's United Methodist Church, a contributing property in Saco's Main Street Historic District, into a 7-unit workforce apartment building with community space-programmed by the City-in the former sanctuary space. This grant will fund architectural and engineering work to better understand the project's feasibility.