open calls

Below are opportunities to collaborate on projects this year with Heart of Ellsworth:

Request for Proposal:

Consultant for National Register Nomination Preparation

Issue Date: February 19, 2025

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE: March 14, 2025 BY 5PM EST

 

Introduction

Heart of Ellsworth is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for qualified consultants to participate in the historic preservation of Downtown Ellsworth, Maine. We seek proposals to prepare a National Register of Historic Places nomination for the Downtown Ellsworth Historic District, advancing efforts to preserve the city's rich cultural heritage. This project builds on a reconnaissance-level survey initiated by the City of Ellsworth’s Historic Preservation Commission and completed by Artifex in 2023. The selected consultant will play a pivotal role in the next phase—officially designating downtown Ellsworth as a historic district, thereby preserving its architectural legacy and cultural significance. The proposed historic district will include approximately 47 properties across 6.5 acres on four downtown streets.

Proposals are due no later than 5:00 PM EST on March 14, 2025, with the anticipated start date on April 1, 2025, and project completion by January 15, 2026.

Project Overview

The selected consultant will lead the preparation of the nomination for Downtown Ellsworth's historic district, ensuring alignment with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Identification, as well as guidelines set by the National Park Service and the Maine Historic Preservation Commission (MHPC). Responsibilities include updating the existing resource survey, conducting comprehensive fieldwork and research, actively engaging with the community stakeholders, and preparing thorough drafts and final documentation for rigorous review and approval processes.

Project Start Date: April 1, 2025 

Project End Date: January 15, 2026

project background

Downtown Ellsworth, a historic riverside commercial center and the county seat, has played a pivotal role in the cultural and economic life of Hancock County since its establishment. Its evolution spans from its early 19th-century origins through a significant post-1933 fire reconstruction, which contributed to its cohesive architectural character over nearly a century. Today, Downtown Ellsworth continues to thrive as a vibrant hub, offering a unique blend of shops, restaurants, and businesses that attract both year-round locals and seasonal visitors, including millions drawn to nearby Acadia National Park.

In preparation for this project, Heart of Ellsworth conducted a series of three workshops on historic preservation for the community. These workshops aimed to educate residents on the importance of protecting Ellsworth’s oldest and most unique buildings, ensuring their rehabilitation and preservation for future generations. In collaboration with Maine Preservation, we covered fundamental preservation principles, strategies for funding preservation projects, and techniques to rejuvenate historic sites while maintaining their authenticity.

The community is committed to safeguarding Downtown Ellsworth's rich architectural heritage, which includes preserving newly constructed Main Street buildings nearing a century in age. Guided by the insights from the Manifesting Main Asset Map, we prioritize preservation efforts for structures identified as pivotal to maintaining the area's historic character. This strategic focus involves allocating resources towards restoration projects, developing adaptive reuse plans, and implementing facade improvement programs where necessary.

Scope of Work

Project Preparation 

  • Collaborate with Heart of Ellsworth to establish a project committee.

  • Prepare for fieldwork, including review of existing data, and possible inclusion of additional contributing buildings not included. There are two buildings that are included in the district boundary provided by the state but that are not in city records and will need research (51 Main St - the location of the former post office, and 21 Water St.)

  1. Field Work & Analysis 

    • Conduct a detailed survey and photographic documentation of the district.

    • Perform archival research and oral history interviews as needed.

    • Collaborate with Heart of Ellsworth and MHPC to confirm district boundaries, contributing buildings, district priorities, and potential resources.

    • Participate in community engagement sessions organized by the consultant and Heart of Ellsworth.

  2. Draft Preparation and Review

    • First Draft: Prepare and submit the first draft of the nomination to MHPC for review.

    • Second Draft: Revise and resubmit according to MHPC feedback.

  3. Finalization and Submission 

    • Meet with MHPC for Final Revisions: Schedule a meeting with the Maine Historic Preservation Commission (MHPC) to review and finalize the nomination document.

    • Final Draft Submission: Submit the final draft of the nomination document to MHPC for their review and approval.

    • Nomination Submission to NPS: Upon approval by MHPC, provide the nomination package to the MHPC who will submit it to the National Park Service (NPS).  Ensure compliance with NPS guidelines and requirements for historic district designation.

  4. Public Engagement and Documentation 

    • Publicize the new historic district and celebrate this achievement through various community engagement activities.

Deliverables:

  • Comprehensive nomination package prepared in accordance with MHPC and NPS requirements.

  • Reports summarizing research, findings, and justifications for district boundaries.

  • Documentation of community engagement activities.

Consultant Qualifications:

  • An architectural historian or historian who meets the minimum Federal credential requirements stipulated in 36 CFR 61, Appendix A.

  • Demonstrated experience in preparing National Register nominations.

  • Familiarity with the National Park Service and Maine Historic Preservation Commission standards.

  • Strong communication skills and experience conducting community engagement in all phases of the project.

Proposal Submission Requirements:

  1. Cover Letter: Introduce the consulting firm, key personnel, and summarize the firm's qualifications.

  2. Project Approach and Methodology: Describe the proposed approach for each phase of the project, including fieldwork, analysis, draft preparation, and community engagement.

  3. Project Examples:  Provide at least three examples of compatible projects clearly outlined with photos   

  4. Work Plan and Schedule: Provide a detailed work plan with a timeline aligned with the scope of work outlined above.

  5. Budget: Provide a detailed budget outlining all costs, including labor and expenses, as a lump sum for each phase of the project. Include deposit amounts required at each phase of work.

  6. References: Provide at least three references for similar projects completed in the last five years.

Evaluation Criteria:

  • Qualifications and experience of the consultant/team (25 Points) 

  • Quality and clarity of the proposed methodology and work plan (25 Points) 

  • Prior experience - project examples (25 points) 

  • Schedule quality (10 Points) 

  • Cost-effectiveness of the proposal (5 points)

  • References from previous clients (10 points)

The contract will be awarded to the consultant whose proposal best meets the requirements of this RFP and provides the best value to Heart of Ellsworth and to the goals of this project. Heart of Ellsworth is committed to the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination. All qualified applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status, are encouraged to apply. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for all participants, partners, and stakeholders involved in this project.

For questions or more information, please contact info@heartofellsworth.org

This material was produced with assistance from the Historic Preservation Fund, administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior and the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

 

Career Opportunities

Heart of Ellsworth, a Main Street America community located in Ellsworth, ME, is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting downtown Ellsworth’s economic and cultural vitality through concentrated efforts in the areas of design, organization, promotion, and economic revitalization.

At this time, we are not actively hiring for any positions, we encourage talented individuals with a passion for community building and nonprofit work to connect with us. Follow us on our social media platforms or subscribe to our newsletter for future openings and organizational updates. Additionally, feel free to check out our volunteer opportunities page to contribute your skills and passion to Heart of Ellsworth.