Historic Preservation Impact Study

The City of Portland commissioned a report to assess the local impacts of historic districts. The study compared trends in historic districts, the peninsula, and the City across a number of different measures. Analysis was informed by permit data, Census data, market forces, zoning, and land use contexts. The resulting report, Trends in Portland's Historic Districts, was completed by economic development consultant Jon Stover & Associates and assessed:

• The relationship between the designation of Portland's historic districts and the demographics of the residential population within those districts, including analysis by race, tenure, age, and income.
• The effect of historic districts on the composition of the built environment, particularly investment in historic buildings, residential housing stock, and housing creation.
• The contribution of historic preservation to Portland’s sustainable development.
• The impact of historic designations on housing creation and housing costs.

A selection of findings from the report include:

• Historic housing stock in and out of historic districts is valued by Portland residents and has a price premium, but historic district designation does not significantly increase comparable home prices or rents.
• There is no indication that historic district designation leads to displacement.
• The retention and renovation of existing housing has led housing densities in historic districts to increase at similar rates elsewhere in the City.
• The increased rate of renovation over demolition and new construction lowers the use of building materials and results in significant carbon emission reduction and landfill diversion.
• Median gross rent rates in Portland's historic districts have grown at a nearly identical rate as the City overall since 1990.
• Historic districts have become more racially diverse since 1990, at a similar rate to the City.
• Residential vacancy rates in historic districts on the peninsula have remained similar to the citywide average.
• Historic districts on average have a much higher housing density per square mile than both the City overall and elsewhere on the peninsula.

The study notes that changing market factors, demographics and population trends, and changing regulations all have the potential to alter these outcomes in the future and makes recommendations for monitoring of trends, prioritizing clarity of regulations, and ensuring a clear review process to help optimize historic preservation outcomes going forward.

These findings are highlights; the full trends report includes additional, valuable data and insights into change in Portland over the last several decades.

Early in the study's progress, an advisory group consisting of eleven people with backgrounds in affordable housing, economic development, historic preservation, and sustainability, provided valuable input on topic areas in the report, including:

• Greg Boulos, The Boulos Company
• Hans Breaux, PROJECT CO+OP
• Kevin Bunker, Developers Collaborative
• Erin Cooperrider, New Heights Group
• Eamonn Dundon, Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Rebecca Hatfield & Patrick Hess, Avesta Housing
• David Lloyd, Archetype Architects
• Nini McNanamy, Munjoy Hill Resident
• Rick Romano, Papi & Romano Builders
• Sally Oldham, Greater Portland Landmarks

For questions or comments about Trends in Portland's Historic Districts , please contact Christine Grimando at cdg@portlandmaine.gov.