$10M historic preservation bond passes in Maine’s Tuesday election

By Michael Shepherd, Bangor Daily News Staff

Mainers voted Tuesday to pass $10 million in borrowing aimed at restoring historic buildings owned by local governments and nonprofits.

The yes side of Question 3 had 51.4 percent of votes to 48.7 percent for the no side when the Bangor Daily News and its national partner, Decision Desk HQ, called the race at 1:18 p.m. Wednesday.

The measure was approved by the Legislature before going to voters. The money borrowed under the will go toward funding the preservation of certain buildings. Any state money approved for a project must be matched at least 25 percent by private or nonprofit funds.

Maine voters have approved three historic preservation bonds since 1985. This year’s $10 million proposal is the largest of them. A recently released state plan identified a lack of consistent funding for programs administered by the Maine Historic Preservation Commission.