Historic preservation commission grants certificate for Hilltop Preschool dockhouse with conditions

The City of Bangor Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously Feb. 27 to grant a certificate of appropriateness for repairs to a damaged access “dock house” at 218 Ohio Street, a property owned by the Bangor Children’s Home (Hilltop Preschool) in the Thomas Hill Historic District.

The decision follows a presentation by a representative of DP Porter Contractors, who said the company would “repair it like for like with really no changes” and, later, that they “fully intend to perform this project using modern materials that match as closely as possible to the original.” Commission members asked for clarification about roofing material, door salvage, and the footprint of the replacement structure; the applicant’s representative confirmed the roof will be steel and that the rebuilt structure will match the existing footprint.

Why it matters: The dock house sits within a designated historic district, and commission approval is required for demolition and reconstruction that affects historic character. The commission’s motion approving the certificate included conditions intended to preserve…