The Uniform Building & Energy Code Will Drive Downtown Revitalization & Redevelopment

Please Support the Majority Report, LD 2257

• Conflicting and Confusing codes pose a barrier to downtown development. The current system of confusing and sometimes conflicting codes increases the cost of development, particularly in those projects that are already more difficult: mill redevelopment, historic rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse of existing buildings.
• LD 2257 will spur widespread use of the Rehabilitation Code to support revitalization. The Uniform Building Code will decrease time & costs associated with development in our historic downtowns, villages and Main Streets through widespread use of the rehabilitation code. The rehabilitation code is being used to great success in other states to provide more flexibility in bringing historic and existing buildings back to life.
• LD 2257 is an essential implementation tool for LD 262, the historic tax credit. With the large incentive offered by the improved historic tax credit, a rash of projects will be coming online all over the state. These projects will be more difficult & costly without the consistency, predictability and one-stop-shopping offered by the uniform building & energy code.

The Majority report is supported by a broad coalition, including the Downtown Coalition and the Coalition to Invest in Historic Maine, major supporters of LD 262.

Additional supporters include the Associated General Contractors, Homebuilders and Remodelers Association of Maine, Maine Building Officials and Inspectors Association, the Retail Lumber Dealers' Association of Maine, Mattson Development, Niemann Capital, GrowSmart Maine, and the 25 organizations of the Environmental Priorities Coalition.