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Belfast council authorizes DOE ETIP application and multiple grant pursuits for energy, downtown and pedestrian projects
Summary
Council authorized staff to submit a DOE ETIP technical‑support application with NREL, accepted the CDBG community enterprise grant process for downtown facade improvements, authorized a Revitalize Main historic preservation grant application for the former courthouse, and approved MDOT bicycle/pedestrian design funding requests for Swan Lake Avenue and Congress Street; all motions passed 5–0.
At its July 15 meeting the Belfast City Council approved several grant applications and project authorizations intended to advance energy resilience, downtown revitalization and pedestrian safety.
Deputy Economic Development Director Joellen Warren said the city will apply to the Department of Energy’s ETIP technical assistance program (led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory) to develop a strategic energy plan and follow‑on technical work if selected. The council authorized submission of the ETIP application and delegated signature authority to the city manager (motion passed 5–0).
Warren also presented the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Community Enterprise Grant process for a downtown façade improvement program; the required public hearing received no public comments and the council adopted a resolution to accept the grant process and continue the application steps (motion passed 5–0).
On historic revitalization, staff recommended applying for a Revitalize Main grant (National Park Service historic preservation funding) for exterior work at the former Waldo County Superior Courthouse (City Hall 2). Warren said the program offers up to $200,000 with a 20% local match (project total ~$240,000); council approved moving forward and delegated signature authority.
Transportation design funding was discussed in detail. Economic development staff outlined two MDOT bicycle & pedestrian funding opportunities: Swan Lake Avenue (design and right‑of‑way estimate using MDOT formulas: ~$221,653; projected 2029 construction estimate ~$745,763; anticipated 90% MDOT/10% local split) and a phased Congress Street project (design/ROW estimate ~$357,993; city share roughly $35,799). Staff identified existing TIF/project account balances that could serve as local matches and asked permission to submit applications; the council approved the applications and directed staff to proceed (motions passed 5–0).
Why it matters: These grants would bring outside technical capacity and construction/design funds to help the city plan for energy reliability, improve downtown building façades, and advance pedestrian safety and access. Several projects include local match requirements and multi‑year planning and design steps.
