India Street

Sustainable Neighborhood Plan

Portland, Maine
___
August 2014


Part 1: The Plan

Portland Starts Here . . .

VisionforIndiaStreet(atMiddleStreet)ImageCredit:Richardson&Associates,Saco,ME
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India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
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[Insert City Council Order as Passed adopting plan]


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Acknowledgments
The India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan has been a widely collaborative effort over the course of
twoyears.Thisreportwasshapedandinformedbymanyparticipantswhodeserverecognitionfortheirefforts,
including the India Street Neighborhood Association, Sustain Southern Maine, the India Street Neighborhood
Advisory Committee and associated Working Groups, and of course, the community businesses, residents,
workers,organizations,institutions,anddevelopers.Especiallycriticaltotheformulationofthisneighborhood
plan is Hugh Nazor, president of the India Street Neighborhood Association. Without his ceaseless efforts to
bringattentiontotheneighborhood,thisPlanwouldnotexist.
In 2013, Portland became a participating city in the Urban Sustainability Accelerator (USA) technical assistance
grant through Portland State University, Oregon, which is funded through the Summit Foundation, Toulan
School of Urban Studies and Planning, Institute for Sustainable Solution at Portland State University, and the
participatingcities.SpecialthankstoRobertLibertyforhisenthusiasticsupportandvaluableresourcesprovided
through the course of this program. Especially valuable was the consulting work of Michele Reeves, Civilis
Consulting,Portland,Oregon.
TheIndiaStreetNeighborhoodAdvisoryCommitteeconvenedinthefallof2013toguidetheneighborhoodplan
development.CityCouncilorKevinDonoghueandneighborhoodresidentandemeritusprofessorattheMuskie
School of Public Service Richard Barringer graciously offered their time as cochairs to this Councilappointed
committee.Nineteenmemberswereappointedtothisgroupwithwiderangingexpertiseandareasofinsight;
without their time and efforts this plan would not have reached its successful conclusion. Many active and
enthusiastic members of the community volunteered to participate in Working Groups in order to brainstorm,
strategize, and craft recommendations for the final plan. Many thanks again to all of these members of the
IndiaStreetandgreaterPortlandcommunitywhogaveoftheirtimeandexpertisetocraftthisplan.
Additionalresourcesandsupportwereprovidedbykeyneighborhoodorganizations.Onecentraltothisprocess
was the Portland Society for Architecture which hosted meetings, provided professional advice and
collaboration,andfinancialresourcesthatwereespeciallycrucialintheCitysparticipationintheUSAtechnical
assistance grant and the subsequent consulting services of Michele Reeves. The Maine Jewish Museum
generously provided for the use of their facilities throughout the course of the planning process. Professor
Yuseung Kim of USMs Muskie School of Public Service and the students in his Planning Workshops made
significant contributions to our work with the creation of a 3d model of the neighborhood and the study,
Portland Starts Here: India Street Neighborhood Recommendations, available at
http://www.portlandmaine.gov/1114/IndiaStreet
ItmustbenotedthatmanydedicatedCitystaffmembersorchestratedandusheredalongthiscomplexprocess.
RecognitionisduetoPlanningDivision DirectorAlexJaegerman, SeniorPlannerBillNeedelman(whohassince
become the Waterfront Coordinator), Urban Designer Caitlin Cameron, and Historic Preservation Program
Manager Deb Andrews who led the effort. Additional support was provided by Mary Davis, Housing and
CommunityDevelopmentDivisionDirector,NelleHanig,BusinessProgramsManager,BruceHyman,Bicycleand
PedestrianProgramCoordinator,andDougRoncarati,StormwaterProgramCoordinator.
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India Street Neighborhood
Advisory Committee
RichardBarringer,CoChair
CouncilorKevinDonoghue,CoChair
HilaryBassett
BethBoepple
CarolDeTine
TomFederle
BethanyField
ArthurFink
AniHelmick
BobbiKeppel
AlanKuniholm
EthanBoxerMacomber
JoeMalone
BrandonMazer
HughNazor
LindaMurnik
ArlinSmith
TimothyWilson
KaraWooldrik











City Council
MichaelBrennan,Mayor
KevinDonoghue,District1
DavidMarshall,District2
EdwardSuslovic,District3
CherylLeeman,District4
JohnCoyne,District5
JonHinck,AtLarge
NicholasMavodones,AtLarge
JillDuson,AtLarge

Planning Board
StuartOBrien,Chair
TimothyDean,ViceChair
CarolMorrissette
ElizabethBoepple
SeanDundon
BillHall
JackSoley

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Working Groups
LandDevelopment/Formbasedcode
Staff:CaitlinCameron,AlexJaegerman
Consultants:StephanieCarver,GPCOG,and
KenStudtmann,Richardson&Associates
ElizabethBoepple
CarolDeTine
TomFederle
ArthurFink
AlanKuniholm
BrandonMazer
HughNazor
JayWaterman

HistoricPreservation
Staff:DebAndrews
Consultant:JulieLarry,TurkTracey&Larry
Architects
HilaryBassett
PamelaCummings
EdGardner
AniHelmick
JoeMalone
LindaMurnik

Infrastructure/LandscapePlanning
Staff:CaitlinCameron
JenniferClaster
BobbiKeppel
KaraWooldrik

Equity/Housing
Staff:MaryDavis,AlexJaegerman
CouncilorKevinDonoghue
JillDanaher
BethanyField
DavidLoranger
EthanBoxerMacomber

Economy
Staff:NelleHanig,AlexJaegerman
RichardBarringer
RachelleCurran
SusieKendeigh
BrandonMazer
HughNazor
ArlinSmith
TimWilson

City of Portland, Maine

MichaelBrennan,Mayor
MarkRees,CityManager

DepartmentofPlanningandUrbanDevelopment
JeffLevine,DepartmentHead
AlexJaegerman,PlanningDivisionDirector
CaitlinCameron,UrbanDesigner
DebAndrews,HistoricPreservationManager
MaryDavis,HousingandCommunityDevelopment
DivisionDirector

DepartmentofEconomicDevelopment
GregMitchell,DepartmentDirector
NelleHanig,BusinessProgramsManager

DepartmentofPublicWorks
BruceHyman,BicycleandPedestrianProgram
Coordinator
DougRoncarati,StormwaterProgramCoordinator

Sustain Southern Maine

RebeccahSchaffner,ProgramManager,GPCOG
CarolMorris,President,MorrisCommunications
EvanRichert,TownPlanner,RichertPlanning
ToddRichardson,LandscapeArchitect,Richardson&
Associates
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Table of Contents and Executive Summary

Part 1: The India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
Page9. BackgroundThePlanningProcess
Page10. BackgroundIndiaStreetNeighborhood
Page15. FiveGoals,SixVisionStatements
G1.Vitality
G2.GoodQualityDesign
G3.StrongNeighborhoodIdentitythatBuildsonitsHeritage
G4.Diversity
G5.EnhancedMixedUseNatureofNeighborhood

VS1:SustainableGrowthandDevelopment
VS2:ANeighborhoodofDiversePeoples
VS3:AnAuthenticNeighborhoodTruetoitsHeritage
VS4:AFun,Industrious,Creative,Artisanal,andProsperousNeighborhood
VS5:AHealthy,Connected,andActiveNeighborhood
VS6:ANeighborhoodofStrongIdentity

Page19. ThirteenDevelopmentPrinciples
1. StrongNeighborhoodIdentity
2. DiversityofResidents
3. NeighborhoodHeritageandHistoricPreservation
4. GuidedGrowth
5. FormofDevelopment
6. MixedUseNeighborhood
7. RetailCorridors
8. CompassionateandSupportiveCommunity
9. ConnectedNeighborhood
10. VibrantLocalEconomy
11. QualityInfrastructure
12. RecreationandOpenSpace
13. ResponsivetoClimateChange

Page29. ImplementationPlanFourteenCriticalActions


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Part 2: Implementation Tools

Pagex. CriticalAction1Establishadistinctiveandauthenticneighborhoodidentity
Pagex. CriticalAction2Adoptpoliciesthatpromotethecreationofaffordablehousing
Pagex. CriticalAction3Takeadvantageofexistinghousingprogramsandresources
Pagex. CriticalAction4BuildaffordablehousingontheCityownedpropertyatFranklinand
Middlestreets
Pagex. CriticalAction5CreateaLocalHistoricDistrict
Pagex. CriticalAction6Createandmaintainbusinessandresidentrelationships
Pagex. CriticalAction7PrioritizeIndiaStreetastheMainStreet
Pagex. CriticalAction8AdoptaFormbasedCode
Pagex. CriticalAction9SupportexistingTransportationInfrastructureinitiatives
Pagex. CriticalAction10ImproveNeighboringRecreationAmenitiesandconnectionstothem
Pagex. CriticalAction11CreateaRecreationHubatthefootofIndiaStreet
Pagex. CriticalAction12MakeIndiaStreetamodelforstormwatermanagement
Pagex. CriticalAction13IndiaStreetRepresentationonthecityResilienceWorkingGroup
Pagex. CriticalAction14EnergyBenchmarkingaspartofthePortland2030District


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Background The Planning Process

TheIndiaStreetneighborhoodissituatedamidsttheburgeoningPortlandpeninsula,abeautiful
watersidelocationnestledbetweentheOldPortandMunjoyHill.Asexplainedbelow,thisareawasthe
nucleusofthebirthofPortlandasacolonialcity,andtheCityhasgrownuparoundIndiaStreet.Inthe
yearsfollowing2010,thisareabegantoexperiencedevelopmentastherecessiongraduallygavewayto
resurgentgrowth.Manylargeprojectswereproposedprerecessionthatdidnotcometofruition,and
severalsizableprojects;twohotels,aparkinggarage,andhousing,tonameafew,wereconstructed
thatbegantochangethefaceofthisneighborhood.Heavilyinfluencedbydowntownandthe
waterfront,IndiaStreetemergedasamagnetfornewdevelopment,andthecommunityresponded
witharequestforfocusedplanningtoguidethefutureofthisarea,lestthemarketforcesbringabout
changethatmanyobserversandresidentsfearedwouldbeofascaleandcharacterthatdoesnotreflect
thecommunitysaspirations.

CommunityleadersapproachedtheCitywiththisconcern,thatplanninghasfocusedallaroundthis
neighborhood,alongthewaterfront,andinthedowntown,buthadnotfocusedonthisneighborhood
asadistinctplace,toexploreitscharacterandestablishavisionforitsgrowthanddevelopment.An
efforttoaddressthespecificissueofbuildingheightsalongIndiaStreetwasconsideredbythePlanning
BoardinJuneof2012,andledtotherecognitionthatacomprehensiveplanninginitiativewasthemore
appropriateapproachtotake.ThePlanningOfficewaschargedwithleadingthiseffort,inpartnership
withtheIndiaStreetNeighborhoodAssociation.Thisplanningprocesshasproceededintwophases.

ThefirstphasebeganinearnestinJanuary,2013,withtheselectionoftheIndiaStreetneighborhoodas
aCenterofOpportunitywithintheSustainSouthernMaine(SSM)regionalplanningprogram,a
consortiumofCumberlandandYorkCountycommunitiesthatcametogetherwithfundingfromthe
FederalDepartmentofHousing&UrbanDevelopmenttocreateasustainablegrowthplanforthe
region.IndiaStreetwasselectedasapilotcommunitythatrepresentsopportunitiesforregionalgrowth
tooccurinestablishedurbancentersasastrategytocombatsprawlandrevitalizeourcitycenters.
WithasmallplanninggrantfromSSMthroughtheGreaterPortlandCouncilofGovernments,we
engagedwiththeIndiaStreetcommunitytocreateavisionfortheIndiaStreetneighborhood.Highlights
ofthiseffortincludedaPublicOpenHouseattheJewishHeritageMuseuminMarch,2013,followedby
adaylongworkshopofthreestakeholdersmallgroupsinApril,2013,toconverttheideasfromthe
OpenHouseintoneighborhoodplanningconcepts.Thisinputwasthensynthesizedbytheplanning
andconsultingteamintoaseriesofreportsandninegraphicproductspresentinganemergent
neighborhoodvision,form,transportation,streetsystems,landscape,andopenspace.Thesewere
presentedintwopublicforumsinJune,andlaterinSeptember,2013.
[insertSSMgraphicS]

Thefallof2013markedthetransitionfromthevisioningworkaidedbySSM,totheplanningproduction
phasemarkedbythecollaborationwithanothertechnicalassistanceresourcecalledtheUrban
SustainabilityAccelerator(USA),anewprogramcreatedtohelpmidsizedandsmallerurbanareas
implementsustainabilityprojects,tomovetheirproposalsfromaconcepttoreality.Thisprogramwas
madepossiblethroughsupportofPortlandStateUniversitysToulanSchoolofUrbanStudiesand
Planning,theInstituteforSustainableSolutionsandagrantfromtheSummitFoundation.Thetimingof
thistechnicalresourcecoincidedwithourongoingeffortstocreateaplanforIndiaStreet,whichwas
thefocusofoureffortsthroughUSA,fromJuly2013throughJuneof2014.InNovember,2013we
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India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
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establishedastakeholderadvisorycommittee,theIndiaStreetNeighborhoodAdvisoryCommittee
(ISNAC)appointedbytheCityCouncil,alongwithotherinterestedcitizenstoassistthePlanningOffice
tocompletetheplan.ISNACestablishedthefollowingfiveworkgroupstofleshouttheplan:Housing&
Equity;FormBasedCode;EconomicDevelopment;HistoricPreservation;andInfrastructure&
Landscape.TheseWorkGroupsmetcontinuouslyfromJanuarythroughJulyof2014toinvestigate
issuesanddeveloppolicyandimplementationrecommendationswithintheirassignedareas.The
majorityofthesubstanceofthisplaniscreditedtothehardworkofthesecitizenteamswiththeirstaff
support.EachWorkGroupreportedouttotheISNAConamonthlybasisontheirfindingsand
recommendations.
ThetechnicalassistancethroughtheUSAprogramwasongoingduringthisperiodandhelpedinform
theWorkGroupsintheirareasofinterest.Highlightsincludethethreedayconsultingvisitfrom
MicheleReeves,ofCivilisConsulting,onFebruary1113,2014.Ms.Reevesgeneratedastrong
recognitionofthestageofIndiaStreetsdevelopment,andtheattributesthatlenduniquevaluetothe
economyoftheneighborhood,aswellasitsintrinsiccharacter.(Truetoform,thenightofherfinal
presentation,weexperiencedblizzardlikeconditions,somanywhocouldnotbethereinpersonviewed
thevideoonline.)OtherhighlightsincludedaweeklongvisitationfromaU.C.Davisteamheadedby
ProfessorStephenWheelerandthreeLandscapeArchitecturegraduatestudentswhostudiedthe
neighborhoodandissuedareportinDecember,2013,RecommendationsforaSustainable
NeighborhoodPlanwhichfocusedonenvironmentalsustainabilitymeasuresforIndiaStreet.Also
duringthisintensiveworkingperiod,wehadthebenefitofourownUniversityofSouthernMaine
throughProfessorsYuseungKimandRichardBarringer,whosePlanningWorkshopclassproduceda
May,2014report,PortlandStartsHere,whichaddressesplacebranding,economicdevelopment,and
streetscaperecommendations.
Insummary,thisprocesshasreliedonourowninhouseplanningexpertise,andthehardworkofa
bunchofverydedicatedneighborhoodstakeholderswhovolunteeredcountlesshourstothetask.We
hadsomeoutsideconsultingandtechnicalresourceswhereavailableandasneededtoroundoutand
informtheeffort.Weareverypleasedtoconveythisplan,whichisatangibleproductwithrealistic
objectivesgroundedinanengagedcommunityprocess.

SeveralconcurrentplanningeffortswillhavedirectbutstillundeterminedimpactsontheIndiaStreet
neighborhood.
TheFranklinStreetRedesignPhaseIIisunderway;theobjectiveoftheredesignistonarrowthe
roadway,redesignintersections,andemployCompleteStreetspoliciesmakingthestreetsafe
anduseableforallmodes.Thestreetwillideallytakeonamoreactiveandurbancharacterbut
thefinalresultsofthisprocessremaintobedetermined.TheimplicationsontheIndiaStreet
neighborhoodincludethepotentialforrestoredstreetconnectionsatFederalandNewbury
streets,andthegainingofdevelopmentparcelsontheneighborhoodsideoftheFranklinStreet
rightofway.
LincolnParkisundergoingamasterplanprocesswithfuturerestorationandimprovements
proposed.TheparkisapotentialopenspaceassettotheIndiaStreetneighborhood.
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ThePortlandCompanycomplexisalsoundergoingamasterplanprocessandsignificant
redevelopmentandadaptivereuseofthehistoricpropertyisproposed.However,detailsabout
theusesandformsproposedareundeterminedattheadoptionofthisplan.Asalarge
neighboringproperty,whathappensonthatsitewillimpacttheIndiaStreetneighborhood.

Why a Sustainable Neighborhood Plan?
Wehaveproposedthisplanasasustainableneighborhoodplan.Tounderstandthisapproachitis
necessarytoreviewthesustainabilityprinciplesofCommunity,Economy,andEnvironment.Sincethe
CityCounciladoptedtheSustainablePortlandPlanin2009,aspartofourcomprehensiveplan,wehave
endeavoredtousethesustainabilitymodelinplanningandpolicymaking.SustainablePortlandoffered
thefinalchallengetofuturepolicymakers:

Sustainabilityprinciplesareimbeddedthroughoutthisplanningprocess.Wehaveincorporatedthe
workbySustainSouthernMainewhichlookstourbanneighborhoodgrowthasvitaltoasustainable
region.WehavehadthetechnicalassistancefromtheUrbanSustainabilityAccelerator,which,asthe
namesuggests,seekstopromotesustainablepracticesinsmallcitiesacrossAmerica.Wehavelooked
deepintotheneighborhooditself,toexaminewhatisneededtosustainavibrant,healthy,prosperous
future.Wecouldcallthisaneighborhooddevelopmentplan,oraneighborhoodmasterplan,or
comprehensiveplan.Thetitlecouldchange,buttheimperativetoplanaffirmativelyforahealthy
community,economy,andenvironmentisparamountaswefacethechallengesandforcestocome.
Thisplantouchesuponthesethreefactorsandpresentsabalancedsetofrecommendationsthat
addresseachofthemappropriatelyforthisstageofdevelopmentinthisIndiaStreetneighborhood.
To become a sustainable community, the City of Portland must commit to
a continuous process of self-assessment and adaptation. When faced with
decisions, our City government, residents, institutions, and businesses
should ask a series
of questions:
Is this decision good for the environment, the economy, and the
community?
Is this good for the long-term?

If the answers are yes, then the decision will move us toward becoming
a more sustainable city.


Sustainable Portland Incorporating Sustainability into Everyday Decision Making City of Portland, 2009,
Portland Comprehensive Plan
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Background The India Street Neighborhood

IndiaStreetNeighborhood(1871)
India Street has the distinction of being the first street in Portland and the center of the citys earliest
settlement. Although little remains from this early chapter in the areas history, the story of what
followed is compelling and unlike any other neighborhood in the city. The India Street and the
waterfrontareawasthemaincommercialdistrictofPortlandpriortotheGreatFireof1866,whenthe
coreofthedowntownmovedtotheOldPort.Asearlyasthe1820s,theIndiaStreetNeighborhoodwas
hometoalargecommunityofAfricanAmericans.Later,itbecamethepointofentryandfirsthometo
many of the citys newlyarriving immigrant groups, including Irish, Italian, Jewish, and Scandinavian
populations. The neighborhood was the hub of intermodal transportation where shipping and ferries,
trains, and land transportation converged around the waterfront generating a center of activity.
Newcomersfoundstabilityworkingaslaborersforthe
citys waterfront, Grand Trunk Railroad, and nearby
PortlandCompany.Astheybecameestablished,each
groupmadeitsmarkonthearea,buildingimpressive
churchesandsynagoguesandlaunchingawiderange
of small businesses and institutions. Public health
facilities, including a milk dispensary and medical
NorthSchool(1867)
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school, were built on India Street to address the needs of the residents. North School, the largest
elementary school in the state when it was built, responded to the transitional nature of the
neighborhood by offering occupational training and other innovative programs designed specifically to
helptheimmigrantandfirstgenerationchildrenitserved.

The historic buildings that remain today tell the story of who lived
hereandhowthisneighborhoodevolvedandfunctioned.Landmark
structures such as North School, the India Street Firehouse, and
numerouschurchesandsynagoguesareveryimportanttothestory.
So,too,arethemodestwoodframehousesownedbythefounders
of the Abyssinian Church, the tripledeckers that housed immigrant
families, and the small commercial structures that were built to
serve the various needs of a selfcontained neighborhood. Just as
the neighborhoods remaining historic structures provide tangible
evidence of its history, they also establish the strong and appealing
visualcharacterofthearea.

Sincethemid20
th
century,theneighborhoodhaslostanumberofkeylandmarks,includingthe Grand
Trunk Station and the house where Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born, at the corner of Fore and
Hancock. Oncedominant population groups have moved on to other parts of the city leaving the
neighborhoodwithjustafewhundredhouseholds.Insensitivealterationstohistoricstructuresandthe
clearanceofolderbuildingsforsurfaceparkinglotsordiscordantnewconstructionhavediminishedthe
character of the neighborhood. The most dramatic change, of course, was the construction of the
FranklinArterial,whichentailedtheremovalofmanyhomesandcommercialstructuresatthewestern
endoftheneighborhood,andseveredwhathadbeenaseamlesstransitiontothedowntowncore.The
removal of homes and construction of Munjoy South public housing on Mountfort Street created
anotherabruptboundarytotheneighborhoodwheretherepreviouslyhadbeennone.

AbyssinianMeetingHouse(1828)
FranklinStreet
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Notwithstanding these losses, the neighborhood retains

numerous elements of its past that warrant recognition and
preservation. This historic building fabric could also inform
the scale and character of new development, which would
result in a lively mix of new and old within a distinctive,
humanscale,mixeduseneighborhood.
An older, downtown adjacent neighborhood such as India
Streethasassetsthatsignificantlyoutweighitschallenges.In
addition to the cultural significance of the historic
neighborhood, todays market values historic architectural
fabric which provides a humanscale foundation for future
development to build upon. Significant parcels, including
those formerly in industrial use, are vacant or underused are
inviting for redevelopment. As an existing urban
neighborhood, it enjoys a relatively complete infrastructure
thatisripetosupportrevitalization.Thehistoricstreetgridis
verywalkableandcontributesbothtoqualityoflifeandtomarketvalueforthelandusesservedbyit.
Multimodal transportation services, both existing and potential, create choices for those who want to
liveorworkinortovisittheneighborhood.Thismixeduseneighborhoodwithproximitytodowntown
already has a core mix of residential and commercial uses, including longstanding uses that are well
recognized and loved, and can serve as springboards to additional development. The most important
characteristic of all, however, is the prevalence and importance of people the neighborhood is the
product of the people who have been here, past and present, and this observation plays a key role in
shapingthefutureoftheIndiaStreetneighborhood.
AmixofdifferentbuildingtypesonCongressSt
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Assets to Build Upon

CulturalHeritagePortlandstartshere!
HistoricLandmarkbuildingsandahistoricbuilding
fabric
AdjacentWaterfront,Residentialneighborhoods,
Downtown,FerryandCruiseterminals
ShopLocalDestinationandlandmarkstores;
Small,independentbusinessandentrepreneurial
culture;Trulymixeduse
FoodDestinationManyrestaurantsthatdraw
peoplefromalloverthecityandregion
AccessibleWalkable,busconnections,ample
parking,goodbikingstreets,ferryterminal
GeographicAdvantageTheneighborhoodslopes
tothewaterfrontprovidingviews
DevelopmentPossibilitiesManydevelopment
opportunitiesofvaryingscaleexist

Challenges to Face
ALackofClearIdentityTheneighborhoodhas
neverbeforebeenthesubjectofaneighborhood
plan
TheConstraintsofPastLandUsesIndustrialuses,
manynowdefunct,werecommoninsuch
neighborhoods,withbrownfieldandcleanupcosts
associatedwiththem
ScaleofDevelopmentLargedevelopmentsites
haveresultedinprematureredevelopmentthat
doesnotcomportwiththedesiresofneighborhood
residentsandbusinesses,historicbuildings,or
neighborhoodcharacterinheightorscale
DisconnectedTheneighborhoodedgeshavebeen
seriouslyalteredand/orsealedoff

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Portland,Maine
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[insertgraphicshowingassetssurroundingneighborhood]

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Goals and Vision Statements

The India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan is framed by

five Goals and six Vision Statements . . .

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Vision: Cultivating the Future of the India Street Neighborhood

Vision Statement 1: Sustainable Growth

and Development The India Street
neighborhood is on the cusp of substantial
growth and development that will establish its
place in the city and region for decades to
come. It is poised for growth, and has chosen
to shape that growth to its singular character
andheritage.Itisfittingthatthisneighborhood
welcomes a share of the growth that is
happening in greater Portland, given its
adjacency to downtown and the waterfront, its
access to transit, its walkable infrastructure,
and its strong mix of and immediate proximity
tohousing,jobs,commerce,andservices.Over
the course of more than two years, this
neighborhood has pulled together property
owners, residents, and associated stakeholders
and community members who care deeply
about how this neighborhood evolves and
develops.Thisplanistheresultoftheirefforts
and hard work. It presents the vision,
principles, and strategies to welcome the right
form and shape of growth and development
that will bring this transitioning neighborhood
tomaturity.
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Vision Statement 2: A Neighborhood of

Diverse Peoples India Street is and always
has been diverse, and we wish it to remain so.
Histories of immigrant communities landing
here and gaining a foothold, and making their
way in America have left a durable imprint
thatwecelebrate.Maintainingdiversitymeans
conscious efforts to welcome all kinds of new
arrivals: whether they be moveup urbanists
who can live anywhere and choose India Street
for its location nestled between downtown,
MunjoyHill,andthewaterfront;ornewarrivals
continuing the traditional role of this
neighborhood,welcomingnewimmigrantswho
above all need affordable housing and
convenient access to jobs and services; young
singles and small households who are
embarking on adult life and value the social
landscapeandaccesstoallthatPortlandhasto
offer; working families striving to live
responsibly by choosing a compact urban
neighborhoodwhereone canaffordtoliveand
maintain a low carbon footprint; an aging
populationwishingforanactivelife,convenient
location to Portlands amenities, activities,
restaurants, and services. Any and all of these
are welcome to make India Street home, and
become part of our community; and we intend
to make our neighborhood welcoming,
accessible,andpossible.

Vision Statement 3: An Authentic
Neighborhood True to its Heritage
PortlandsfirststreetwasIndiaStreet,anditisa
point of pride and identity that this
neighborhood set the stage for Portlands
growth and development. Vestiges of our
historyaboundinthedistrict,fromthereligious
institutions to the civic and industrial buildings,
to the vernacular working class houses on
Federal and Newbury and Hampshire streets
that characterize the landscape of the
neighborhood. These features distinguish this
neighborhoodfromothers,addingtothemixof
peninsula neighborhoods with a unique
community fabric we feel ownership of. This
heritage creates a sense of responsibility to
protectthetracesofthepastaswellaspositing
a form and pattern for future growth that is
recognizable as India Street. We invite
development into our neighborhood, as it is
essential to its vitality to fill the voids
particularly in the southern section below
Middle Street where there is much vacant land
andsurfaceparking.Andwewillinsistthatnew
developmentaddtotheindigenousstructureof
this neighborhood by demonstrating an
incremental and varied street, lot, and block
pattern. The scale of development can grow
but the form must reflect the attributes that
typify and reinforce the fabric of this
neighborhood.

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Vision Statement 4: A Fun, Industrious,

Creative, Artisanal, and Prosperous
NeighborhoodThesidewalksarefulloflife
and commerce. Within a five minute walk
multiple food products are prepared, sold,
consumed, and savored. Local businesses are
mostly home grown and provide a sense of
authenticity to the neighborhood the regional
brew house, the bakers, the textile and
furniture designers, the grocers, the coffee
houses, and restaurants. Amatos, one of
Mainesfewchainestablishments,wasfounded
hereonIndiaStreetaround1902.Wewillbuild
on this cluster of commercial activity on the
core retail streets to create a continuous trail
of crumbs for visitors and residents to follow
from the Old Port and the waterfront, from
Commercial Street to Congress Street. We
expect that in this area all of the buildings and
businesses will engage with the community
bothvisuallyandfunctionally,thattherewillbe
a conversation with the street, and people
will enjoy being here and engaging in this
dialogue.
Vision Statement 5: A Healthy,
Connected, and Active Neighborhood
The India Street Neighborhood provides
opportunities for health and wellbeing ranging
from healthrelated services to recreation
amenities. Within a short walk are many
recreation and open space assets: historic
Lincoln Park; the Eastern Promenade Trail that
caters to children, runners, bikers, strollers,
bladers, boarders, and those just out for a
scenic stroll; and a playground tucked into the
corner of Munjoy Hill off Mountfort Street.
Residents and visitors know this neighborhood
supports a social and healthy lifestyle. These
gemsarenowsomewhathiddenfromviewand
access, but with some thoughtful interventions
including generous and welldesigned
sidewalks and passageways, good lighting and
streetscape furnishings, artistic elements, and
intuitive wayfinding strategies we will
embrace these assets and enlist them more
fully into the life of the neighborhood. Street
connectivity remains a fundamental challenge
especially in connecting to and across Franklin
Street for all modes but with a pedestrian and
bicycle priority. Pedestrian connections
throughout the neighborhood need
improvement so as to enable visitors and
residents alike feel comfortable navigating the
areaandaccessingsurroundingamenities.

Vision Statement 6: A Neighborhood of

Strong IdentityWehavelearnedalotabout
ourselves and our place within the larger
community during this planning exploration of
the India Street Neighborhood. Our heritage,
our diversity, our industriousness, our unique
physical character, and our location on
Portlands marvelous peninsula all constitute
the unique and authentic identity, charm, and
spirit of this community. These qualities and
characteristics, both consciously and
subconsciously, contributed to our pride of
place,senseofbelonging,andconceptionofan
exceptional community. Portland Starts Here.
We celebrate this and all it implies. We will
share this heritage and identity with the larger
community, for us to enjoy, and for others to
appreciate when we share our neighborhood
withvisitors.
Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
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Thirteen Development Principles

1. StrongNeighborhoodIdentity
PortlandstartshereintheIndiaStreetNeighborhood;andthespiritofthisplacewillbereflectedin
itsidentityandcharacterizationdistinctfromOldPortandtheDowntown.ThestoryofIndiaStreet
islongandcompelling;nowisthetimetotellandcelebrateit.
The core of the India Street Neighborhood generates associations with a humanscale, downtown
adjacent neighborhood with food, light industry, authenticity, and community. What visitors and
others are less aware of is its distinctive history Portlands first street and first neighborhood,
earlymaritimeconnections,laterindustrialadvancement,periodarchitecture,religiousandcultural
diversity. The neighborhoods connection to current maritime uses (ferry and cruise ships) and
recreational activities also is not immediately evident. The neighborhood will continue to be a
hospitable landing place for those seeking opportunity in Portland whether it be a new immigrant
resident or a fledgling economic enterprise. The key principle here is to bring these unique
characteristics and assets into a cohesive neighborhood identity that will permeate the built
environment as well as associated business and retail all serving to strengthen and enhance its
identity.
CriticalActions:
1.Establishadistinctiveandauthenticneighborhoodidentity
7.PrioritizeIndiaStreetastheMainStreet
8.AdoptaFormbasedCode
11.CreateaRecreationHubatthefootofIndiaStreet


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India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
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2. DiversityofResidents
People are at the heart of all that India Street Neighborhood is about. It is characterized by
diversity, past and present, in all meanings of the word race, ethnicity, age, religion, ability,
household size, and socio/economic status. For the future, the India Street Neighborhood will
continuetobeaplacethatisknownforauthenticdiversity;anddiversityofresidentsandactivities
willbeencouragedandmaintained.
Two major factors contribute to neighborhood diversity: housing choice and affordability. The
current development trend in the neighborhood has been toward large condominium units often
cateringtoemptynestercouplesandpartyearresidents.Marketforcesalonewillprovidemoreof
this housing type, while a balance of housing types is desired. The City is especially interested in
development that will provide homes for families with children, and young, single workforce
households.Thisshouldincluderentalunitsandamixofefficiencies,one,two,andthreebedroom
units. As the neighborhood residential base grows, so too will the type of housing remain varied.
Affordabilitywilllikewisebeconsideredindevelopmentandpolicydecisions.

CriticalActions:
2.Adoptpoliciesthatpromotethecreationofaffordablehousing
3.Takeadvantageofexistinghousingprogramsandresources
4.BuildaffordablehousingontheCityownedpropertyatFranklinandIndia
10.Improveneighboringrecreationamenitiesandconnectionstothem


3. NeighborhoodHeritageandHistoricPreservation
Unlike many other neighborhoods on the peninsula, the India Street area grew to become a
strikinglydiverseandselfcontainedneighborhood,withitsownmainstreet,housesofworship,
institutionalbuildings,andworkshopindustriesthatprovidedemploymentforminoritygroupsthat
populatedthearea.Whiletheneighborhoodhaslostsignificantelementsofitspast,muchremains
totellitscompellingstory.Thehistoricbuildingsthatremainnotonlytellthestoryabouthowthis
neighborhood evolved and functioned, but also contribute significantly to its unique architectural
character.
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India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
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ProtectingandenhancingIndiaStreetshistoricbuildingstockisessentialiftheareaistoretainits
authenticity and build a strong sense of place. Alterations to existing buildings, both historic and
nonhistoric, will be carefully considered so the neighborhoods character will not diminish over
time. Infill construction will be a clear product of its own time, and respect established
developmentpatternsthatcharacterizetheneighborhood.
Opportunitiestotelltheneighborhoodsstory,throughinterpretivesignageorothermeans,willbe
fullyexploredandimplemented.Understandingthehistoryoftheneighborhoodwillfosterpride
amonglocalresidentsandbusinesses,andwillenhancethevisitorsexperience.

CriticalActions:
1.Establishadistinctiveandauthenticneighborhoodidentity
5.CreateaLocalHistoricDistrict
8.AdoptaFormbasedCode

4. MixedUseNeighborhood
The India Street Neighborhood is truly a mixeduse neighborhood with residences, businesses,
offices, hotels, retail, and restaurants. The neighborhood plan should allow the mixeduse nature
of this neighborhood to continue and expand, with the goal of providing an equitable and high
qualityoflifeforallmannerofpeople.
Fostering a desirable and diverse neighborhood requires a certain level of services and
neighborhood amenities. Important and interesting destinations, from places that supply
necessities to those that supply entertainment, are within walking and bicycling distances. Real
estatedevelopments,policies,andeconomicdevelopmentplansthatmaintainorgrowthelevelof
serviceandamenitiesfortheneighborhoodwillbeencouraged.

CriticalActions:
6.Createandmaintainbusinessandresidentrelationships
7.PrioritizeIndiaStreetastheMainStreet
8.AdoptaCharacterFormbasedCode
11.CreateaRecreationHubatthefootofIndiaStreet

5. VibrantLocalEconomy
Businessesareimportanttothesuccessofamixeduseneighborhood,andthevitalityoftheIndia
Street Neighborhood economy impacts the city as a whole. The economic goals for the
neighborhood are to grow employment opportunities and enhance economic vitality and
sustainability.
The India Street neighborhood draws people who recognize and enjoy its unique character and
heritage.Thosewhovisitorliveintheneighborhoodappreciateitsauthenticity,localartisanretail
and eating establishments, and diverse cultural history. Building on these strengths through
Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
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branding,communicationofidentity,concentrationofcommercialuses,andstrongerrelationships
within the neighborhood will attract greater numbers of visitors, residents, and businesses to the
areaandmovetheneighborhoodtowardsitseconomicgoals.

CriticalActions:
1.Establishadistinctiveandauthenticneighborhoodidentity
6.Createandmaintainbusinessandresidentrelationships
7.PrioritizeIndiaStreetastheMainStreet
8.CreateaRecreationHubatthefootofIndiaStreet

6. RetailCorridors
TheIndiaStreetNeighborhoodishometodestinationfoodandretailbusinesses,amongPortlands
most popular. The beginnings of a retail corridor exists on India Street , the neighborhoods main
street,aswellasonCongressandCommercialstreetsbutcommercialusesaredispersedacrossthe
neighborhood.Theneighborhoodsvitalitywillbeheightenedwithmoreconcentratedcommercial
activity (particularly restaurants and retail) along India as well as on Congress, Commercial, and
Middlestreets.
Commercial Street is a popular pedestrian route and entry into Portland for cruise ship and ferry
passengers. Enticing people to the India Street Neighborhood will depend, in part, on creating a
continuouschainofcrumbsleadingfromCommercialupIndiaStreet.Thiswillrequireaphased
approach, focusing first on the recruiting to India Street new retail shops and restaurants from
CommercialuptoMiddlestreets,andthencontinuingthiseffortalongIndiaallthewaytoCongress
Street. People attract more people; by concentrating retail to strategic corridors the streets
become more active and boost economic vitality. This strategy for the neighborhood retail
environment will strengthen existing businesses and also attract more visitors, residents, and
businesses.

CriticalActions:
6.Createandmaintainbusinessandresidentrelationships
7.PrioritizeIndiaStreetastheMainStreet
8.AdoptaFormbasedCode
11.CreateaRecreationHubatthefootofIndiaStreet

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India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
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7. GuidedGrowth
TheIndiaStreetneighborhoodisanidealplacetotargetsustainablegrowthduetotheavailability
ofdevelopmentsitesandexistingurbaninfrastructure.Thedistrictwillaccommodateareasonable
shareofregionalgrowthoverthenext25years,basedonitssizeandproximitytodowntown,and
to gain critical mass that will support a diverse, vibrant, and mixeduse urban neighborhood. The
type of growth will be primarily residential with a substantial increase in housing units. Economic
development goals require a certain amount of job and commercial real estate growth as well,
especiallytakingadvantageoftheadjacenciestoresidentialneighborhoods,theislandferries,and
existing downtown assets. However, the rate of residential growth will prevail over the rate of
commercial growth in the neighborhood; additional hotel and office spaces are discouraged.
Growthwillalsocomefromincreaseddensityofdevelopmentratherthanincreasedheight.Allof
this growth will only add to its activity and vitality, promoting it as a vibrant neighborhood center
withinPortland.
Growthwilloccurprimarilyonlargeredevelopmentsitestowardsthewaterfront.Wheretheedges
ofthe downtownadjacentneighborhoodwerepreviouslycompromised bytheFranklinArterial,it
isbepossibletoreconstitutethemasadditionalprimeredevelopmentopportunities.Asanurban
avenue, the Franklin Street has valuable frontage along which new development will redefine the
neighborhoods edge and contribute to its identity as a desirable residential/mixeduse district.
Smaller infill developments will be highly encouraged as a way to expand the capacity for
neighborhood growth and test prospective housing unit types. [insert graphic showing desired
areasofgrowth?]

CriticalActions:
2.Adoptpoliciesthatpromotethecreationofaffordablehousing
8.AdoptaFormbasedCode

8. FormofDevelopment
Neighborhoodcapacityforgrowthwilltakeintoaccountconsiderationsofformandscale,withan
emphasisonhumanscaledevelopmentandgoodqualitydesign.Graduationofformwillvaryby
location so that future new development is appropriate to its surrounding context. Within intact
historicstreets,formismodulatedtoapproximatesurroundingbuildingforms.Inthelargerblocks
presentlydominatedbysurfaceparking,newbuildingswillbescaledproportionatelytoallowlarger
buildings with mass and scale attenuated to achieve a human scale street presence, protection of
streetview corridors, and varied and permeableblock faces. The intended outcome will be a
harmonious composition of new and old buildings that fit well together to create a lively fabric of
modernandtraditionalbuildingforms.
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India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
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The Importance of Form The identity of a downtown adjacent neighborhood is dictated in large
partbyitsscaleandpedestrianfriendlydesign.Criticalelementswillinclude
1
:
Relatively high residential density within a relatively small district, putting many people
within walking distance of many activities and, for trips outside of the district, regular and
reliablebusservicewithbusstops;
A finegrained mix of uses both horizontal and vertical that invite a flow of people at
differenttimesoftheday,sevendaysaweek;
A street pattern with pedestrianscaled blocks. Longer blocks and larger buildings will be
interruptedandmadepermeablebymidblockpedestrianwaysoralleysorstreets;
Continuous sidewalks designed with universal access and with widths scaled to the
pedestrian activity of the street to allow two couples walking in opposite directions to
comfortablypasseachother;
Strongstreetwallswithdevelopmentplacedclosetothepropertylineatstreetfrontage
Streetoriented buildings, with commercial and mixed use buildings with permeable
facadesfrontentrancesandfenestrationthatrelatetothestreet;
Humanscale buildings neither so tall as to block a pedestrians cone of vision (at four
stories, the intersection of building and sky still registers in the pedestrians peripheral
vision [Ewing, p. 77]); nor so horizontally large or dominated by a single use as to
discouragethecasualinteractionbetweenpedestriansandamixofusesalongthestreet.

CriticalActions:
5.CreateaLocalHistoricDistrict
8.AdoptaFormbasedCode

9. CompassionateandSupportiveCommunity
TheIndiaStreetNeighborhoodcontinuesahistoryofwelcoming.Awalkaroundtheneighborhood
revealsaplethoraofservicesandresourcesrangingfromimmigrantandelderlyservicesatCatholic
Charities, resources for the homeless population at the Cathedral complex and Milestone, low
income housing for the elderly at North School, education opportunities at the Portland Adult
Education building, and abundant medical and mental health practices. The compassionate and
supportive nature of this neighborhood should be encouraged to prosper. Efforts to make it
accessiblewithconnectivity,transit,andstreetscapeimprovementswillgoalongwaytofosterthis
kindofcommunity.

CriticalActions:
1.Establishadistinctiveandauthenticneighborhoodidentity
9.SupportexistingTransportationInfrastructureinitiatives

1
ThesearedrawnfromtheIndiaStreetNeighborhoodworkshopdiscussion,theCitysdesignmanual,and
referencematerialssuchasEwingandBartholomew,PedestrianandTransitOrientedDesign(2013).
Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
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10. ConnectedNeighborhood
The adjacent nature of this neighborhood is both unique and full of potential. India Street abuts
ontomanywondrousassetsandresourcesresidentialneighborhoods,thedowntowndistrict,and
the waterfront. Connections to these nearby assets and amenities are fundamental to its greater
quality of life and economic vitality. Services and opportunities from jobs to entertainment to
governmental services will be improved by strengthening the connectedness of the
neighborhood.Adowntownadjacentneighborhoodthatisdisconnectedfromitsdowntownisan
undervaluedandunderutilizedasset.FromthepointofviewoftheIndiaStreetneighborhood,the
redesignofFranklinStreetisdriveninlargepartbythedesiretoreconnectthisneighborhoodand
theDowntown.Reconnectingdeadendstreetsandformalizingwelllovedbutinformalconnection
pointswillhelptoknittheIndiaStreetneighborhoodintoitsurbancontext.
Improvements to the local street system, trail system, and transportation system will give priority
to connectivity on multiple scales connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods, connectivity to
neighboring assets such as Lincoln Park and the waterfront, and connectivity within the
neighborhood,itself.Emphasiswillbeonpedestrian,bicycle,andtransitmodes.Thewalkabilityof
the neighborhood, proximity to jobs on the Portland peninsula, and the availability of bus service
willreduceautodependency.Increaseddensitywillsupportpublictransportationwithshorttime
intervals, which, in turn encourages use and viability of the transit system. The combination of
neighborhood adjacency and increased density reinforce the use of alternative transportation
modes,reducingdependencyonautomobilesandallowsfortherelaxingofparkingrequirements.
Visual connections, especially to the waterfront, are another important type of connection.
Wherever possible, access to the waterfront visual and physical will be provided as a public
amenity. New development will be conscientious of its relationship to the water; view corridors
through public rights of way to the water will not be obstructed. Visibility to and from the
neighborhood,acrossFranklinStreetandfromthewaterandCommercialStreet,willcontributeto
the identity and presence of the neighborhood serving to attract visitors as well as elevate the
relationshipoftheneighborhoodwiththerestofthecity.

CriticalActions:
8.AdoptaFormbasedCode
9.SupportexistingTransportationInfrastructureinitiatives
11.CreateaRecreationHubatthefootofIndiaStreet
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India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
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11. QualityInfrastructure
Thestreetscapeandlandscapeplayanimportantroleinsupportingtheneighborhoodidentityand
affordingacomfortable,inviting,andhumanscaledenvironment.Forinfrastructure,emphasiswill
beplacedontheexperienceonehastravellingtoandthroughouttheneighborhoodwithComplete
Streets as the adopted City strategy. The street grid and transportation infrastructure will be
improved with priority given to pedestrian, bicycle, and transit modes. Strategies to improve the
streetscape will include increased street trees and plantings, lighting, public restrooms, green
infrastructure implementation, wider sidewalks and improved universal access in public right of
ways, street furniture deployment, and a neighborhoodwide analysis to evaluate the potential to
underground utilities. Neighborhood identity will be reinforced through streetscape design
elements with particular priority on India Street which will include street trees, public art, unique
andcohesivestreetfurniture,pavementoptionsthathaveastorytellingoridentitycomponent,and
gatewayelementssignalingentrancestotheneighborhood.
Vehicleparking,especiallysurfaceparkinglots,willbedeemphasized.Onstreetparking,reduced
offstreetparkingrequirements,modestoffstreetlots,structuredparking,andcarsharingservices
will all be needed to satisfy demand. In the India Street neighborhood, the recent structured
parking with excess space (as of 2013) was created to relieve some of the constraint that might
otherwise exist and to facilitate development of surrounding parcels. Use of shared parking and
utilityinfrastructurestrategieswillbeencouraged.

CriticalActions:
7.PrioritizeIndiaStreetastheMainStreet
9.SupportexistingTransportationInfrastructureinitiatives
10.Improveneighboringrecreationamenitiesandconnectionstothem
12.MakeIndiaStreetamodelforstormwatermanagement
13.IndiaStreetrepresentationonthecityResilienceWorkingGroup
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India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
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12. AmpleRecreationandOpenSpace
Open space is a most precious commodity in the small, urban India Street neighborhood. Open
space amenities greatly enhance quality of life for residents and workers, make for a more
attractive built environment, and create opportunities for community gathering and interaction.
Everyopportunitytoimproveorenhancepublicopenspaceswillbepursued.
Theneighborhoodhasthreeavenues tomaximize thepotential foropenspacesofdifferenttypes
and uses: 1) Improve and maintain existing spaces including private green spaces within the
neighborhood, 2) Connect to surrounding open space amenities such as Lincoln Park, playgrounds
in Peppermint Park and Adams Street, and the Eastern Promenade Trail, and, 3) Create new open
spacesatthepumphouseproperty,alongFranklinStreet,andatthefootofIndiaStreet.

CriticalActions:
9.SupportexistingTransportationInfrastructureinitiatives
10.Improveneighboringrecreationamenitiesandconnectionstothem
11.CreateaRecreationHubatthefootofIndiaStreet

13. ResponsivetoClimateChange
As a waterfrontadjacent district, climate change is especially compelling to the India Street
neighborhood. Adapting to sealevel rise, reducing stormwater runoff, and mitigating heat island
effectareespeciallyimportanttoaddressastheneighborhoodcontinuestodevelopandimprove.
Future plans for this district will consider such features as lowimpact design in public and private
development, native species planting, reduction in impervious surfaces and subsequent
opportunity to increase greenery and street trees, flexible ground floor designs, and treatment of
roof surfaces to reduce heat island effect and solar reflectance. Incremental changes, including
modifyingstructuresandfacilitiesonthewatersedgetobemoreresilienttosealevelrise,should
be pursued by both public and private interests. There is a desire to protect the historic building
fabricoftheneighborhood;anassessmentofriskandspecialconsiderationwillneedtobegivento
historic buildings and landmarks resilience strategies do not always comport with historic
regulations.ThefutureIndiaStreetNeighborhoodwillbeamodeltodemonstratethatplanningfor
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India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
31

climate change is a benefit to residents and workers quality of life and quality of the built
environment.

CriticalActions:
7.PrioritizeIndiaStreetastheMainStreet
9.SupportexistingTransportationInfrastructureinitiatives
12.MakeIndiaStreetamodelforstormwatermanagement
13.IndiaStreetrepresentationonthecityResilienceWorkingGroup
14.EnergybenchmarkingaspartofthePortland2030District

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India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
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Implementation Plan
CriticalActionsarehighpriorityinitiatives,primarilythetoponeortwostrategiesfromeachworking
group.Thetwelvestrategiesbelowshallmeetthe"SMART"testarticulatedbytheCityCouncilaspart
ofits2014goalsettingprocess,astheyareatonce:

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Tangible


Critical Action 1
Establish a distinctive and authentic neighborhood identity
Moving forward, improvements and development in the neighborhood will contribute to the telling of
IndiaStreetsstory.Establishingabrandfortheneighborhoodwillenhanceprideofplaceamonglocal
residentsandbusinesses,aswellasattractnewpopulationsofeach,providingawelcomeorientationto
this unique and special place within the City of Portland. The neighborhood shall pursue an identity
strategy to provide definitive direction in the future development and characterization of the
neighborhood.

Critical Action 2
Adopt policies that promote the creation of affordable housing
ItisinthepublicinteresttopromoteanadequatesupplyofhousingforitsresidentstokeeptheIndia
Streetneighborhoodlivableforadiversemixofresidents.Topromotethecreationofaffordable
housingtheCityshouldreview,amend,andadoptregulatorypoliciesthatencouragedevelopersto
includeunitsofaffordablehousingwithindevelopmentprojects,therebymitigatingthelimitedsupply
ofaffordablehousing;and,bydoingso,promotingthehealth,safety,andwelfareofcitizens.The
regulatoryreviewshouldincludeparkingrequirements,heightbonuses,residentialdensityrestrictions
andtheadoptionofacitywideInclusionaryZoningOrdinance.Therecommendationofthisplanisto
adoptanInclusionaryZoningOrdinancetoaddresstheconcernofaffordablehousingsupply;an
ordinanceisrecommendedfortheIndiaStreetneighborhoodwiththeunderstandingthatsuchapolicy
mightbeadoptedcitywide.

Critical Action 3
Take advantage of existing housing programs and resources
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India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
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TheIndiaStreetneighborhoodiseligibletotakeadvantageofvariousprogramsandresources,localand
Federal,thatwillexpandanddiversifyhousingchoices.Thecriticalactionwillbetoidentifythe
neighborhoodasafocusareaforprogramssuchas:
CommunityDevelopmentBlockGrants(CDBG)
HOMEPrograminvestment
HUD5year(20152020)ConsolidatingPlanProcesstoconductmarketstudy
CityofPortlandHousingReplacementOrdinance
HireaHousingPlannerfortheHousing&CommunityDevelopmentOffice

Critical Action 4
Build affordable housing on the City-owned property (at Middle and
Franklin)
TheCityhasanopportunitytocontributetoresidentdiversitybydesignatingcityownedpropertyfor
thedevelopmentofaffordablehousing.Affordablehousing,especiallyforfamilieswithchildrenis
lackingwithintheneighborhood.TheparceloflandatMiddleandFranklinStreetshasbeenidentified
asapotentialsitetobuildaffordablehousingthatwillserveasacatalystforotherprivatedevelopment
intheneighborhood.

Critical Action 5
Create a local Historic District
Portlandshistoricbuildingfabricisadefiningcharacteristicofthecity.DesignatingtheIndiaStreet
Neighborhoodasalocalhistoricdistrictwillputintoplaceaprocesstoguidechangeovertime.Historic
preservationregulationsencouragethoughtfulrehabilitationofanareashistoricbuildingsaswellas
compatibleinfilldevelopment.AshasbeenproveninPortlandsothercommercialandresidential
historicdistricts,historicpreservationisasuccessfuleconomicandcommunitydevelopmentstrategy.
Thislanduseregulatoryprogramhasbeenshowntoinstillprideofplace,provideameasureof
assurancethatinvestmentinthedistrictwillbeprotected,andensurethatthearearetainsan
authenticitythatattractslocalsandvisitorsalike.

TheCitywilldesignateIndiaStreetandthesurroundingneighborhoodasalocalhistoricdistrict,subject
totheprovisionsofPortlandshistoricpreservationordinance(ArticleIXoftheLandUseCode)with
boundariesdevelopedthrougharigoroussurveyandcoordinatedwiththeMaineHistoricPreservation
Commission.DeveloperswillreceiveadditionalbenefitfromhistoricdesignationiftheCityalsosecures
NationalParkServicecertificationfortheIndiaStreetHistoricDistrict,andprovideaccesstostateand
federalhistoricrehabilitationtaxcredits.



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India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
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Critical Action 6
Create and maintain business and resident relationships to strengthen the
community
Developingprogramsthatstrengthentherelationshipsbetweentheresidentsandbusinessesinthe
neighborhoodwillenhanceitsvitalityandgrowthwithinandbeyonditsboundaries.Examplesofsuch
programareasfollows:
Annualandmonthlypromotionseventstobringtogetherbusinessesandresidents
Softopeningsfortheneighborhood
Smallneighborhooddiscounts(perhapswithacard)
Crossbusinesspromotions
ParkingvalidationagreementswithCityandlocalproviderstomakeresidential,workerand
customerparkingmorereadilyavailable.
TheIndiaStreetNeighborhoodAssociation(ISNA)willbeanenergeticandcreativepartnerwith
theCityinpromotingandbuildingtheserelationships,events,andpracticesacrossthepublic,
private,andphilanthropicsectors.

Critical Action 7
Prioritize India Street as the Main Street
Becauseofitsmixedusecharacter,adowntownadjacentneighborhoodneedsamainstreetofits
own.Inthiscase,IndiaStreetistheneighborhoodsdefactomainstreetwiththeintersectionatMiddle
Streetasakeyjunction,andstrategieswillreinforceandstrengthenitsroleassuch.Retailactivityis
encouragedonIndiaStreet,andahighleveloftransparencyandactivityisexpectedfromfuture
developmentalongthecorridor.Toassistinthiskindofactivity,theCitysFaadeImprovement
ProgramwillbetargetedonIndiaStreet.ThestreetscapeofIndiaStreetplaysanimportantrolein
portrayingtheuniqueidentitytheneighborhood;streetscapeimprovementsshouldbefocusedonIndia
Streetandneighborhoodidentitywillbereinforcedthroughstreetscapedesignwhichwillincludepublic
art,lighting,uniqueandcohesivestreetfurniture,pavementoptionswithstorytellingaspects,and
gatewayelements.Thestreetshouldbeinvitingwithcontinuousstreettreesandplantingsandinfill
developmentisencouragedtobuildanactivestreetwall.Vacantlotscouldbecomesitesoftemporary
installationsorpopupretailtoinviteactivity.Streetscapeimprovementsshouldbeofhighquality
materials,anddesignedandcoordinatedtoincreasetheirvisualimpact.

Critical Action 8
Adopt a Form-based Code
Reflectingthedesireintheneighborhoodtomaintainahumanscaleofdevelopment,azoningcode
basedonformandbuildingcharacterratherthanuseisproposed.Aformbasedcode(FBC)isaland
developmentregulationthatfosterspredictablebuiltresultsandahighqualitypublicrealmbyusing
physicalform(ratherthanseparationofuses)astheorganizingprincipleforthecode.Aformbased
codeisaregulation,notaguideline,adoptedintocitycodeofordinancesandwouldreplacetheexisting
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India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
35

zoningcodeinplaceovertheextentoftheneighborhoodboundary.
2
Undertheproposedformbased
Codenewdevelopmentandsignificantrenovationswillcarefullyconsiderthebuildingsrelationship
withthestreetscapeandhavecompatibleformswiththeexistingbuiltfabric.TheFBCalsowill
encouragesmallinfilldevelopmentanddensehousingdevelopmentthroughheightandparking
bonusesandbyrelievingresidentialdensityrestrictions.AnadditionalgoaloftheFBCwillbetoprovide
aclearandconsistentreviewprocesstoguidedevelopmentandmanagechange.

Critical Action 9
Support existing Transportation Infrastructure initiatives to increase
connection and mobility within the neighborhood
Toreachitsgoalsofconnectivityandmultimodalpriority,theneighborhoodsupportscitywide
initiativestoimprovesafetyandaccesstotransit,biking,andwalking.Theneighborhoodwillbe
proactiveintakingadvantageofthefollowinginitiativesandprogramsalreadybeingplanned:
TransitSystem(METRO)Supportenhancedservicesuchastheproposedlinkfromthe
TransportationCentertotheCascoBayLinesTerminal;proposedbusroutingchanges;and
increasedfrequencyandsynchronizationofservice
TransportationChoicesSupporteffortstoexpandcarsharelocations,andstartabikeshare
programwithstationsintheIndiaStreetneighborhood
FranklinStreetRedesignTheneighborhoodwouldbenefitfromrestoringconnectionstoand
insomecasesacrossFranklinStreet.Attheveryleast,improvedbicycle/pedestrianconnections
acrossFranklinStreetarenecessaryanddesired;reconnectingvehicularaccesstoFranklin
Streetoneorbothstreets(NewburyandFederal)wouldalsobeanacceptableoutcome.
ParkingRequirementsCurrentrevisionstotheSustainableTransportationFundareunder
reviewthatmayhavepositiveimpactsonparkingrequirementsfordevelopmentsandenable
moresmall,infillprojectstobefeasibleintheIndiaStreetNeighborhood
CompleteStreetsDesignManualSupporttheadoptionofCompleteStreetsandencouragethe
Citytoimplementthesetypesofimprovementswithintheneighborhood,especiallyonIndia
Street
ImplementandexpandupontheadoptedCityWayfindingplan,especiallytargetedto
pedestrianandtouristwayfinding

Critical Action 10
Improve neighboring recreation amenities and connections to them
OpenspaceisapreciouscommodityinIndiaStreetasasmall,urbanneighborhood.Onestrategyfor
providingopenspacetotheneighborhoodisthroughimprovedaccesstosurroundingopenspace
amenitiesincludingLincolnPark,theWaterfront,theAdamsStreetPlayground,andPeppermintPark.
Anassessmentisneededtodeterminehowbesttoupdatetheequipment,paving,andlandscapingas
wellasimprovewayfinding,visibility,andconnectionsbetweentheneighborhoodandtheseexisting
assets.

2
DefinitiondrawnfromtheFormBasedCodesInstitute:http://formbasedcodes.org/definition
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LincolnParkEffortsareunderwaytorestoreandimprovetheparkandincreaseneighborhood
accessandtoencouragenewdevelopmentaroundtheparktoenlivenitsuse
AdamsStreetplaygroundThisadjacentpublicplaygroundisunderusedduetolackofvisibility
andaccess.Anassessmentisneededtodeterminehowtoincreasetheuseofthisspace.
PeppermintParkarecentlyimprovedpublicopenspacethatisnotvisibleorwellconnectedto
theIndiaStreetneighborhood.Suggestedimprovementsincludesafepedestrianconnections
acrossCongressStreetandwayfinding.
EasternPromenadeTrailConnectionstothispopularCitytrailcouldbeimprovedacross
CommercialStreet.AdditionalimprovementsincludeaRecreationHubatthefootofIndia
Street,openspaceimprovementsontheCityownedsectionsnexttothetrailtoenablemore
useofthespace,publicartorwindturbineinstallationsforwayfindingandneighborhood
identity.
NeighborhoodBywayTrailAninformaltrailconnectingMunjoyHilltoIndiaStreetisinneedof
pavingandmaintenanceimprovementstoincreaseuseandvisibilityandsafety.
PumpHouseparcelThisparcelprovidesanopportunityforprimeopenspaceimprovements.

Critical Action 11
Create a Recreation Hub at the foot of India Street
TheneighborhoodcanleverageexistingassetstheEasternPromenadeTrailhead,waterfront
proximity,retailandorganizationsrelatedtorecreation,astrongrestaurantreputationtoestablisha
RecreationHub.ThefootofIndiaStreetwillbecomeknownasthemeetingpointforatriptothe
Islands,aclassatSailMaine,orabikerideorstrollonthetrail.Itwillbeanaccesspointforrecreational
amenitiessuchasbicycleorequipmentrentals,apointtobuyfoodanddrinksforthedaysexcursions,
andareststopwithpublicrestrooms.Astheneighborhooddevelops,thiswillbetheplaceforbike
sharestations,informationkiosks,andameetingpointfortours.Notonlydoesthiscriticalactionboost
economicdevelopment,itaddstotheidentityoftheneighborhoodandgivesresidentsandvisitorsa
reasontoventureintotheIndiaStreetNeighborhood.

Critical Action 12
Make India Street Neighborhood a model for stormwater management
TheIndiaStreetNeighborhoodisanidealdistricttoexercisegoodstormwaterstrategiesfortheCityof
Portland.Thefirststepfortheneighborhoodwillbeadistrictanalysisresultinginengineeringand
landscapearchitecturestrategiesandrecommendations.Anadditionalresourceistheanalysisand
recommendationsofthe2014UrbanLandInstituteAdvisoryPanelforPortlandandSouthPortland.The
Citywillleadbyexamplewhenmakingimprovementstothepublicrightofwayinthisneighborhood,
usingIndiaStreetasaprimedemonstrationsiteforgoodstormwaterpractices.Strategiesinclude:
CompleteStreets:DevelopmentwillcontinuetoprovideopportunitiestocreateComplete
Streetsandimprovehydrologicfunctionforresilience.
Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
37

ReduceStormwaterRunoff:Impervioussurfacesofsurfaceparkinglotsareanothermajor
contributortostormwaterrunoffquantityandwaterquality;developmentwillbedesignedto
reduceimpactofsurfaceflowacrossCommercialStreetandtomitigateimpactsonlandside
structures. TheCityismovingtowardsadoptingaStormwaterServiceChargethatwillprovide
economicincentivesfordevelopersandpropertyownerstoreduceandtreatrunoff.
GreenInfrastructure:Lowimpactdesignandgreeninfrastructurestrategieswillbe
implementedwhereverpossible.

Critical Action 13
India Street representation on the city Resilience Working Group
Arecommendationofthe2014UrbanLandInstituteAdvisoryPanelonClimateChangeistheformation
ofaResilienceWorkingGroup.Thisgroupwouldconsiderthewaterfrontasawholeacross
jurisdictionalboundaries.Thisgroupwouldinvolvethemajorstakeholdersfromthewaterfronttouse
theinformationfromtheRiskDataGroupandtodeterminespecificrisksfacedbypropertiesalongthe
waterfront,whicharelikelytobethemostvulnerabletosealevelriseandstormsurge.Itisimportant
tohaveanintegratedapproachtoresiliencewithasharedresourcelikethewaterfront.Asawaterfront
community,itisessentialthattheinterestsoftheIndiaStreetneighborhoodberepresentedonthis
WorkingGroupasclimatechangestrategiescontinuetobedevelopedfortheregion.

Critical Action 14
Participate in energy benchmarking as part of the Portland 2030 District
IntheUS,buildingsaccountfor36%oftotalenergyuseand30%ofgreenhousegasemissions.
Benchmarkinginvolvestrackingandreportingenergyuse,whichshowshowbuildingsuseandwaste
energyandhelpsidentifyopportunitiestolowerenergycostsandimprovebuildingoperations.Greater
PortlandCouncilofGovernmentsispartneringwithMobilizeMainetodevelopaPortland2030District
inordertotrackenergydataofbuildingsonthePortlandpeninsula.Thegoalofthe2030Districtisto
reduceenergyusageinbuildingsincludingwaterandtransportationemissions50%by2030.The
benefitsofa2030districtinclude:promotescollaboration;createsfriendlycompetition;saveson
energyandmaintenancecosts;createsjobs;improvesinfrastructure;encouragesbusinessestorelocate
toareaswithexistinginfrastructureandadaptivereuse;reducesgreenhousegasemissions;promotes
awarenessofenergysavingtechnologiesandpractices.
WiththecreationofaPortland2030District,propertyownersenrolltheirbuildingsinaprogramthat
tracksenergyuse.Allbuildingsintheneighborhoodshouldbeenrolledmembersinthissimpleand
affordableportfoliomanagementprogram(EPAEnergyStarPortfolioManager).

India Street
Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
Portland, Maine
___
August 2014


Part 2: Implementation Tools

Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
2

Critical Action 1
Establish a distinctive and authentic neighborhood identity

Background
EstablishingabrandfortheNeighborhoodwillenhanceprideofplaceamonglocalresidentsand
businesses,aswellasattractnewpopulationsofboth,providingawelcomeorientationtothisunique
andspecialplacewithintheCityofPortland.Theneighborhoodshallpursueanidentitystrategyto
providedefinitivedirectioninthefuturedevelopmentandcharacterizationoftheneighborhood.
Proposal1:Branding/MarketingInitiative
DevelopandreleaseRequestforProposals(RFP)forabranding/marketingfirmtodevelopanIndia
Streetneighborhoodbrandthatpromotestheneighborhoodsidentity.Thetargetaudienceispeople
wholive,workandvisittheneighborhood.TheRFPshouldalsoincludeaninitialrolloutstrategyand
ongoingmarketingplan(print,ISNwebsite,socialmedia,etc.).Thevalueswordcloudprovidesasense
ofwhatisatthecoreoftheneighborhoodandwillbeusefulforinclusionintheRFP.ExhibitAisa
sampleofaBrandingProcessProposal.
PotentialIssues
Findingsufficientfundstomeettheestimatedbudgetforimplementationofthisaction;
Thetimeframeforimplementation,giventhatpublicprocessiscrucialtoensuringthatthe
neighborhoodbusinessesandresidentstakeownershipofthebrandandarecommittedto
supportingit.
FinancialResources
Budget:$75,000,
Sources:Mightincludegrants,CDBGprogramfunds,CityBudget,Localbusinesscontributions
Timeframe
Timeline:OneyeartorolloutJune2015or2016dependinguponfundingcycle.
Responsibilities
ResponsibleParties:IndiaStreetNeighborhoodAssociationlead,assistancefromCityStaff
(CommunicationsDirector,EconomicDevelopmentandPlanning)
Stakeholders
BusinessOwners
Residents
IndiaStreetNeighborhoodAssociation

Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
3

Critical Action 2
Adopt policies that promote the creation of affordable housing

Background
TheCitybelievesthatitisinthepublicinteresttopromoteanadequatesupplyofhousingforits
residentstokeepPortlandlivableforadiversemixofresidents.Topromotethecreationofaffordable
housingtheCityshouldreview,amendandadoptregulatorypoliciesthatencouragedevelopersto
includeunitsofaffordablehousingwithindevelopmentprojects,therebymitigatingthelimitedsupply
ofaffordablehousing;and,bydoingso,promotingthehealth,safety,andwelfareofPortlandcitizens.
Theregulatoryreviewshouldincludeparkingrequirements,heightbonuses,residentialdensity
restrictionsandtheadoptionofacitywideInclusionaryZoningOrdinance.
Proposal
Thiscriticalactionstepproposestousepublicpolicytoencouragesmallinfillandrentalhousing
development.TheproposalincludestheadoptionofacitywideInclusionaryZoningOrdinance(IZ)that
wouldrequiredeveloperstoincludeunitsofaffordablehousingwithinresidentialdevelopment
projects.TheproposedIZincludesaninlieufeeprovisionwhichwouldprovideflexibilityfor
developersandbedepositedintheCitysHousingTrustFundandusedtocreateadditionalaffordable
housing.
PotentialIssues

FinancialResources
Budget:Whilenoadditionalrevenueisrequiredtoreview,amendandadoptregulatorypolicies,
revenuemaybegeneratedbyfeesassociatedwiththesepoliciesthatcouldbeusedtocreateaffordable
housing.
Timeframe
Timeline:68monthswithgoalofIZordinanceadoptioninDecember2014.
Responsibilities
ResponsibleParties:PlanningandUrbanDevelopmentDepartmentStaff,includingstafffromthe
PlanningDivisionandtheHousingandCommunityDevelopmentDivisionunderthedirectionoftheCity
CouncilandtheHousingandCommunityDevelopmentCommittee
Stakeholders/Partners
ResidentsandPropertyOwners
ForProfitandNonProfitRealEstateDevelopers

Addendum 1: Draft Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance
Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
4

Critical Action 3
Take advantage of existing housing programs and resources

Background
TheIndiaStreetneighborhoodisaneligibleCommunityBlockGrantNeighborhood(CDBG)andis
positionedtotakeadvantageofvariousprogramsandresources,localandFederal,whichwillexpand
anddiversifyhousingchoices.ProgramsincludetheCommunityDevelopmentBlockGrantProgram
(CDBG),theHOMEInvestmentProgram(HOME),andtheHUD5year(20152020)ConsolidatingPlan
process.
Proposal
ThecriticalactionwillbetoidentifytheneighborhoodasafocusareaforprogramssuchastheCDBG
andtheHOMEInvestmentProgram(HOME)andtoutilizetheHUD5year(20152020)Consolidating
PlanprocesstoconductahousingmarketstudyoftheCity,includingtheIndiaStreetneighborhood.
TheresultsofthehousingmarketstudyandtheadditionofaHousingPlanningintheHousingand
CommunityDevelopmentOfficewillhelptocraftaplanonthemostefficientuseoflocallyadministered
resourcessuchastheHousingTrustFundandAffordableHousingTaxIncrementFinancing.
InordertoleverageCDBGfunds,
1. Identifytheneighborhoodasafocusareaandbonuspointsandscoringincentiveswouldbe
providedtoeligibleneighborhoodbasedapplications.
2. UseFederalHOMEProgramfundstoencourageaffordablehousingdevelopmentinthearea.
3. ConductahousingmarketstudyoftheCity,includingtheIndiaStreetneighborhood,usingthe
HUD5year(20152020)ConsolidatingPlanprocess.
4. HireaHousingPlannerfortheHousing&CommunityDevelopmentOffice.
PotentialIssues
Since2010CDBGfundshavebeencutbynearly22%andHOMEhasbeencutby34%whichsignificantly
impactsthelevelofresourcesavailableandincreasesthecompetitionfortheseresources.Other
fundingsourcesandpartnerswillberequired.
FinancialResources
Budget:N/A
Sources:TheCityhasaccesstofinancialresourcesthatcanbeutilizedintheimplementationmanyof
theCriticalActionstepsidentifiedinthisPlan.CDBGandHOMEProgramresourceswillbeusedto
completethehousingmarketstudy.SalaryandotheradministrativecostsfortheHousingPlanner
positionarecoveredbyCDBGandHOMEProgramresourcesaswellascitygeneralfund.
Timeframe
Timeline:
Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
5

ImplementfundingsourcefocusareaintoFY15/16fundingcycle(CDBG,HOME,HousingTrust
Fund)
MarketstudycompletedforHUD5yearConsolidatedPlanbyMay2015
HousingPlanneronstaffintheFallof2014
Responsibilities
ResponsibleParties:HousingandCommunityDevelopmentDivisionunderthedirectionoftheCity
CouncilandtheHousingandCommunityDevelopmentCommittee
Stakeholders/Partners
MaineStateHousingAuthority
U.S.Dept.ofHousingandUrbanDevelopment
LocalBanks
ResidentsandPropertyOwners
NonProfitSocialServiceProviders
CityofPortlandPublicWorksDepartment
ForProfitandNonProfitRealEstateDevelopers
Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
6

Critical Action 4
Build affordable housing on the City-owned property at Franklin and
Middle streets

Background
TheCityhasanopportunitytocontributetoresidentdiversitybydesignatingcityownedpropertyfor
thedevelopmentofaffordablehousing.Affordablehousing,especiallyforfamilieswithchildrenis
lackingwithintheneighborhood.TheparceloflandatMiddleandFranklinStreetshasbeenidentified
asapotentialsitetobuildaffordablehousingthatwillserveasacatalystforotherprivatedevelopment
intheneighborhood.
Proposal
Thedevelopmentofnewhousingisexpensive.ThehighcostoflandinPortlandisoftenidentifiedas
themainimpedimentinthedevelopmentofaffordablehousing.TheCitycanincentivizethe
developmentofaffordablehousingbyofferingCityownedpropertyasdevelopmentsites.83Middle
Streethasbeenidentifiedasapotentialdevelopmentsite.
PotentialIssues
The83MiddleStreetsiteiscurrentlyusedbythePoliceDepartmentforemployeeparking.Inorderto
utilizethisparcelforhousingdevelopment,alternativeparkingforthePoliceDepartmentwouldneedto
beidentified.
FinancialResources
Budget:$277,800
The83MiddleStreetsitehasanassessedvalueof$277,800.AsaCityownedparcel,itdoesnot
generaterealestatetaxrevenue.
Sources:HOMEand/ortheCitysHousingTrustFundmayprovideadditionalrevenue
Timeframe
Timeline:FY15/16fundingcycle(CDBG,HOME,HousingTrustFund)
Responsibilities
ResponsibleParties:HousingandCommunityDevelopmentDivisioninpartnershipwiththePolice
DepartmentandParkingOfficeunderthedirectionoftheCityCouncilandtheHousingandCommunity
DevelopmentCommittee
Stakeholders/Partners
MaineStateHousingAuthority
U.S.Dept.ofHousingandUrbanDevelopment
LocalBanks
Residents
ForProfitandNonProfitRealEstateDevelopers
Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
7

Critical Action 5
Create a Local Historic District

Background
Portlandshistoricbuildingfabricisadefiningcharacteristicofthecity.DesignatingtheIndiaStreet
Neighborhoodasalocalhistoricdistrictwillputintoplaceaprocesstoguidechangeovertime.Historic
preservationregulationsencouragethoughtfulrehabilitationofanareashistoricbuildingsaswellas
compatibleinfilldevelopment.AshasbeenproveninPortlandsothercommercialandresidential
historicdistricts,historicpreservationisasuccessfuleconomicandcommunitydevelopmentstrategy.
Thislanduseregulatoryprogramhasbeenshowntoinstillprideofplace,provideameasureof
assurancethatinvestmentinthedistrictwillbeprotected,andensurethatthearearetainsan
authenticitythatattractslocalsandvisitorsalike.
TheCitywilldesignateIndiaStreetandthesurroundingneighborhoodasalocalhistoricdistrict,subject
totheprovisionsofPortlandshistoricpreservationordinance(ArticleIXoftheLandUseCode).
DeveloperswillbenefitfromhistoricdesignationiftheCityalsosecuresNationalParkService
certificationfortheIndiaStreetHistoricDistrict,andprovideaccesstostateandfederalhistoric
rehabilitationtaxcredits.
Proposal
DesignatethehistoriccoreoftheIndiaStreetstudyareaasalocalhistoricdistrict,subjecttothe
provisionsofArticleIX(HistoricPreservation)oftheLandUse.Theproposeddistrictboundaryisbased
onthefindingsofanindepthhistoricresourcesurvey,consultationwiththeMaineHistoric
PreservationCommissionandanalysisbyISNACsHistoricPreservationWorkingGroup.
PotentialIssues
Itislikelythatsomepropertyownerswithintheproposeddistrictboundarywillobjecttodesignation
basedonconcernsthathistoricpreservationregulationswilllimitfutureredevelopmentoptionsfor
theirproperty.Otherpropertyownersmayhaveconcernsaboutcomplyingwithhistoricpreservation
ordinancerequirements.
FinancialResources
Budget:Noanticipatedexpensesassociatedwithdesignation.Thehistoricresourcesinventory
completedaspartofthisinitiativewasfundedthroughanFY13CertifiedLocalGovernmentgrant
awardedbytheMaineHistoricPreservationCommission.ThePlanningDepartmentsHistoric
PreservationstaffwillcompletethefinaldocumentationnecessaryforHistoricPreservationBoard,
PlanningBoardandCityCouncilconsiderationoftheproposedhistoricdistrictdesignation.
Timeframe
Timeline:Undertherequirementssetforthinthehistoricpreservationordinance,aproposedhistoric
districtmustbereviewedbytheHistoricPreservationBoard,PlanningBoardandCityCouncil.
Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
8

Factoringinthetimeneededtoconductinformationalmeetingswithaffectedpropertyownersaswell
astherequirementtoscheduleatleastoneworkshopandoneformalpublichearingwiththreeCity
reviewentities,itislikelythatthisnomination/designationprocesswilltakeaminimumof45months
tocomplete.
Responsibilities
ResponsibleParties:Citystaff(HistoricPreservation)
Stakeholders
Residents
PropertyOwners
RealEstateinterests
Businessowners
IndiaStreetNeighborhoodorganization
GreaterPortlandLandmarks
Culturalorganizationswithintheneighborhood,e.g.TheCommitteetoRestoretheAbyssinian

Addendum 2: Proposed Historic District Boundary

Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
9

Critical Action 6
Create and maintain business and resident relationships

Background
Developingprogramsthatstrengthentherelationshipsbetweentheresidentsandbusinessesinthe
neighborhoodwillenhanceitsvitalityandgrowthwithinandbeyonditsboundaries.
Proposal
Annualandmonthlypromotions/eventstobringtogetherbusinessesandresidents;
Softopeningsfortheneighborhood;
Tokenneighborhooddiscounts(possiblyusingacard);
Crossbusinesspromotions;
Parkingvalidationagreementswithcityandlocalproviderstomakeresidential,workerand
customerparkingmorereadilyavailable.
PotentialIssues
TimecommitmentofIndiaStreetNeighborhoodAssociation(ISNA)membersandlocalbusinessesfor
ongoingimplementation
FinancialResources
Budget:$2,000
Source:ISNABudget
Timeframe
Timeline:Ongoing
Responsibilities
ResponsibleParties:IndiaStreetNeighborhoodAssociation;Additionalsupportforparkingvalidation
agreementsfromCitystaffintheParkingDivisionandEconomicDevelopmentDepartment.
Stakeholders
BusinessOwners
Residents
Employees


Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
10

Critical Action 7
Prioritize India Street as the Main Street

Background
Becauseofitsmixedusecharacter,adowntownadjacentneighborhoodneedsamainstreetofits
own.Inthiscase,IndiaStreetistheneighborhoodsdefactomainstreetwiththeintersectionatMiddle
Streetasakeyjunction,andstrategieswillreinforceandstrengthenitsroleassuch.Retailactivityis
encouragedonIndiaStreet,andahighleveloftransparencyandactivityisexpectedfromfuture
developmentalongthecorridor.Toassistinthiskindofactivity,theCitysFaadeImprovement
ProgramwillbetargetedonIndiaStreet.ThestreetscapeofIndiaStreetplaysanimportantrolein
portrayingtheuniqueidentitytheneighborhood;streetscapeimprovementsshouldbefocusedonIndia
Streetandneighborhoodidentitywillbereinforcedthroughstreetscapedesignwhichwillincludepublic
art,lighting,uniqueandcohesivestreetfurniture,pavementoptionswithstorytellingaspects,and
gatewayelements.Thestreetshouldbeinvitingwithcontinuousstreettreesandplantingsandinfill
developmentisencouragedtobuildanactivestreetwall.Vacantlotscouldbecomesitesoftemporary
installationsorpopupretailtoinviteactivity.Streetscapeimprovementsshouldbeofhighquality
materials,anddesignedandcoordinatedtoincreasetheirvisualimpact.

Proposal1:FaadeImprovementProgram
PrepareandsubmitapplicationtoCitysCDBGProgramtofundaFaadeImprovementProgramthat
wouldassistbusinessesandpropertyownerstoenhancetheirstorefronts.Thetargetedareawouldbe
IndiaStreetfromCongresstoCommercialStreet.Shouldfundingbeapproved,implementprogram.

PotentialIssues
ImplementationwoulddependuponfundingfromtheCDBGProgram.Also,implementationis
dependentonbusinessandpropertyownersagreementtoparticipate.
FinancialResources
Budget:$100,000
Sources:DowntownTIFDistrict
Timeframe
Timeline:ApplicationOctober2014;ImplementationJuly2015
Responsibilities
ResponsibleParties:Citystafflead(EconomicDevelopment),assistancefromIndiaStreetNeighborhood
Association
Stakeholders
BusinessOwners
RealEstateDevelopers
PortlandSocietyforArchitecture
Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
11

Proposal2:UndergroundElectric/CommunicationsInfrastructure
Requisitionafeasibilitystudyfortheundergroundingofelectricandcommunicationsutilities.
Commissionapreliminaryengineering,costestimating,phasing,andfundingplan.

PotentialIssues

FinancialResources
Budget:$75,000forpreliminaryengineering/phasing/fundingplan
Sources:DowntownTIFDistrict
Timeframe
Timeline:
Responsibilities
ResponsibleParties:
Stakeholders
Residents
PropertyOwners
RealEstateDevelopers

Proposal3:ImplementCompleteStreetsDesignGuidelines
ComprehensiveapplicationofCompleteStreetsdesignguidelinesshallbeusedwheneverchangesto
thepublicrightofwayintheIndiaStreetneighborhoodisproposed.Streetscapeandrightofway
improvementssuchasstreettreeplanting,curbadjustments,andpavingshouldbeprioritizedonIndia
Street.
PotentialIssues
AlthoughaCompleteStreetspolicyhasbeenadoptedbyCityCouncil,theDesignGuidelinesarenot,yet,
completeandhavenotbeenvettedthroughtheCityprocess.Mostimprovementsinthepublicrightof
wayoccurwhenrequiredbySitePlanapprovalforindividualprojects;inordertohaveamore
comprehensive,streetwideimprovement,theCitywillhavetoapprovetheprojectaspartofaCIP
budgetyear.
FinancialResources
Budget:unknown
Sources:DowntownTIFDistrict,CIPFY16,StreetTreefund
Timeframe
Timeline:
Responsibilities
ResponsibleParties:Citystafflead(DepartmentofPublicServices)
Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
12

Stakeholders
CityofPortland,DepartmentofPublicServices
CityofPortland,ParkingOffice
MaineDepartmentofTransportation
Residents

Proposal4:PortlandBricksProjectonIndiaStreet
PortlandBricksisabrickpaverprojectthatincorporatesstorytellingandwayfindingbeingproposedbya
localceramicsartistandstoryteller.TheprojectwouldplacebrickpaversinthesidewalkofIndiaStreet
thatintimatestoriesoftheneighborhoodspast.
PotentialIssues
TheprojecthasbeenvettedbyDepartmentofPublicServicesandseekingallnecessaryfundingto
proceed.
FinancialResources
Budget:$20,000
Sources:nonprofitorganizations,grants,PortlandPublicArtCommitteeCommunityArtfunding,
Kickstarter
Timeframe
Timeline:InstallationinSummer2015
Responsibilities
ResponsibleParties:Citystafflead(DepartmentofPublicServices)
Stakeholders
CityofPortland,DepartmentofPublicServices
CityofPortland,ParkingOffice
MaineDepartmentofTransportation
Residents


Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
13

Critical Action 8
Adopt a Form-based Code

Background
Reflectingthedesireintheneighborhoodtomaintainahumanscaleofdevelopment,azoningcode
basedonformandbuildingcharacterratherthanuseisproposed.Aformbasedcode(FBC)isaland
developmentregulationthatfosterspredictablebuiltresultsandahighqualitypublicrealmbyusing
physicalform(ratherthanseparationofuses)astheorganizingprincipleforthecode.Aformbased
codeisaregulation,notaguideline,adoptedintocitycodeofordinancesandwouldreplacetheexisting
zoningcodeinplaceovertheextentoftheneighborhoodboundary.
1
Undertheproposedformbased
Codenewdevelopmentandsignificantrenovationswillcarefullyconsiderthebuildingsrelationship
withthestreetscapeandhavecompatibleformswiththeexistingbuiltfabric.TheFBCalsowill
encouragesmallinfilldevelopmentanddensehousingdevelopmentthroughheightandparking
bonusesandbyrelievingresidentialdensityrestrictions.
Proposal
AnewzoningcodebasedonformandbuildingcharacterratherthanuseisproposedfortheIndiaStreet
neighborhoodasdefinedbythedistrictboundaryintheFBCaddendumX.AgoaloftheFBCwillbeto
provideaclearandconsistentreviewprocesstoguidedevelopmentandmanagechange.
PotentialIssues
TheCityhasneverbeforeimplementedaformbasedcode;ampletimeandconsiderationshouldbe
takentoensurethatthisnewtypeofzoningiswellcraftedandfeasible.Somepropertyownersand
developersmayalsoshowconcernaboutzoningchangesthataffectheightanddevelopmentpotential.
FinancialResources
Budget:N/A
Timeframe
Timeline:ReviewandpublicprocessFall2014,AdoptionbyCityCouncilWinter2015
Responsibilities
ResponsibleParties:Citystaff,PlanningDivision
Stakeholders
Residents
PropertyOwners
RealEstateDevelopers
PortlandSocietyforArchitecture/Architecturecommunity
Addendum 3: Proposed Form-based code documents

1
DefinitiondrawnfromtheFormBasedCodesInstitute:http://formbasedcodes.org/definition
Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
14

Critical Action 9
Support existing Transportation Infrastructure initiatives

Background
Toreachitsgoalsofconnectivityandmultimodalpriority,theneighborhoodsupportscitywide
initiativestoimprovesafetyandaccesstotransit,biking,andwalking.

Proposal
Theneighborhoodwillbeproactiveintakingadvantageofthefollowinginitiativesandprogramsalready
beingplanned:
TransitSystem(METRO)Supportenhancedservicesuchastheproposedlinkfromthe
TransportationCentertotheCascoBayLinesTerminal;proposedbusroutingchanges;and
increasedfrequencyandsynchronizationofservice
TransportationChoicesSupporteffortstoexpandcarsharelocations,andstartabikeshare
programwithstationsintheIndiaStreetneighborhood
FranklinStreetRedesignTheneighborhoodwouldbenefitfromrestoringconnectionstoand
insomecasesacrossFranklinStreet.Attheveryleast,improvedbicycle/pedestrianconnections
acrossFranklinStreetarenecessaryanddesired;reconnectingvehicularaccesstoFranklin
Streetoneorbothstreets(NewburyandFederal)wouldalsobeanacceptableoutcome.
ParkingRequirementsCurrentrevisionstotheSustainableTransportationFundareunder
reviewthatmayhavepositiveimpactsonparkingrequirementsfordevelopmentsandenable
moresmall,infillprojectstobefeasibleintheIndiaStreetNeighborhood
CompleteStreetsDesignManualSupporttheadoptionofCompleteStreetsandencouragethe
Citytoimplementthesetypesofimprovementswithintheneighborhood,especiallyonIndia
Street
ImplementandexpandupontheadoptedCityWayfindingplan,especiallytargetedto
pedestrianandtouristwayfinding
PotentialIssues
ProposedchangestoparkingrequirementshaveshowntobecontentiousinPortland.Thegreatest
challengeswithmanyoftheseinitiativeswillbefundingandcrossorganizationcoordination.

FinancialResources
Budget:varies
Timeframe
Timeline:varies
Responsibilities
ResponsibleParties:variesCitystaff,METRO,Bicycle/PedestrianAdvisoryCommittee,FranklinStreet
PublicAdvisoryCommittee

Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
15

Stakeholders
Residents
Employees
BusinessOwners
RealEstateDevelopers
Tourists
Healthservicesusers
Islandcommuters
METRO

Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
16

Critical Action 10
Improve neighboring recreation amenities and connections to them

Background
OpenspaceisapreciouscommodityinIndiaStreetasasmall,urbanneighborhood.Onestrategyfor
providingopenspacetotheneighborhoodisthroughimprovedaccesstosurroundingopenspace
amenitiesincludingLincolnPark,theWaterfront,theAdamsStreetPlayground,andPeppermintPark.
Proposal
Anassessmentisneededtodeterminehowbesttoupdatetheequipment,paving,andlandscapingas
wellasimprovewayfinding,visibility,andconnectionsbetweentheneighborhoodandtheseexisting
assets:
LincolnParkEffortsareunderwaytorestoreandimprovetheparkandincreaseneighborhood
accessandtoencouragenewdevelopmentaroundtheparktoenlivenitsuse
AdamsStreetplaygroundThisadjacentpublicplaygroundisunderusedduetolackofvisibility
andaccess.Anassessmentisneededtodeterminehowtoincreasetheuseofthisspace.
PeppermintParkarecentlyimprovedpublicopenspacethatisnotvisibleorwellconnectedto
theIndiaStreetneighborhood.Suggestedimprovementsincludesafepedestrianconnections
acrossCongressStreetandwayfinding.
EasternPromenadeTrailConnectionstothispopularCitytrailcouldbeimprovedacross
CommercialStreet.AdditionalimprovementsincludeaRecreationHubatthefootofIndia
Street,openspaceimprovementsontheCityownedsectionsnexttothetrailtoenablemore
useofthespace,publicartorwindturbineinstallationsforwayfindingandneighborhood
identity.
NeighborhoodBywayTrailAninformaltrailconnectingMunjoyHilltoIndiaStreetisinneedof
pavingandmaintenanceimprovementstoincreaseuseandvisibilityandsafety.
PumpHouseparcelThisparcelprovidesanopportunityforprimeopenspaceimprovements.
PotentialIssues
Securingthefundingforeachoftheseprojectswillbeachallenge.
FinancialResources
Budget:unknown
Sources:CDBG,CIP,grants
Timeframe
Timeline:varies
Responsibilities
ResponsibleParties:
Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
17

LincolnPark:Citystaff(HistoricPreservationProgram,DepartmentofPublicServices),Friendsof
LincolnPark
AdamsStreetPlayground:Citystaff(Planning&UrbanDevelopment,DepartmentofPublic
Services)
PeppermintPark:Citystaff(Planning&UrbanDevelopment,DepartmentofPublicServices)
EasternPromenadeTrail:Citystaff(Planning&UrbanDevelopment,DepartmentofPublic
Services),PortlandTrails
NeighborhoodTrailByway:Citystaff(Planning&UrbanDevelopment,DepartmentofPublic
Services),PortlandTrails
PumpHouseParcel:Citystaff(Planning&UrbanDevelopment,DepartmentofPublicServices),
PublicWaterCommission

Stakeholders
Residents
Employees

[insertgraphicshowingopenspaceplans]

Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
18

Critical Action 11
Create a Recreation Hub at the foot of India Street

Background
TheneighborhoodcanleverageexistingassetstheEasternPromenadeTrailhead,waterfront
proximity,retailandorganizationsrelatedtorecreation,astrongrestaurantreputationtoestablisha
RecreationHub.ThefootofIndiaStreetwillbecomeknownasthemeetingpointforatriptothe
Islands,aclassatSailMaine,orabikerideorstrollonthetrail.Itwillbeanaccesspointforrecreational
amenitiessuchasbicycleorequipmentrentals,apointtobuyfoodanddrinksforthedaysexcursions,
andareststopwithpublicrestrooms.Astheneighborhooddevelops,thiswillbetheplaceforbike
sharestations,informationkiosks,andameetingpointfortours.Notonlydoesthiscriticalactionboost
economicdevelopment,itaddstotheidentityoftheneighborhoodandgivesresidentsandvisitorsa
reasontoventureintotheIndiaStreetneighborhood.
Proposal
ThecreationofaRecreationHubatthefootofIndiaStreetwillincludeinfrastructureimprovements,
economicdevelopment,andeventsandpromotion.Possibleimplementationstrategiesshouldinclude:
Publicopenspaceimprovementsadjacenttotrail
Gatewayandwayfindingelements(publicart,windturbines)
Bicyclesharestations
Informationkiosk
Publicrestrooms
CarfreeStreetevents(egSundaysontheBoulevard)
Recreationrelatedbusinesses(rentals,gear,food)
ImprovedandsafeconnectionsacrossCommercial/ThamesStreet
Programs,tours,andevents
Improved/additionalstreetscapefeaturesincludinglighting,seating,andtrashreceptacles
PotentialIssues
ThiseffortwillrequireagreatdealofcoordinationandpromotioneffortsbetweentheCity,Portland
Trails,theConventionandVisitorsBureau,andneighborhoodbusiness.Anincrementalapproachis
likely.
FinancialResources
Budget:unknown
Sources:DowntownInfrastructureTIF,CIP,grants,public/privatepartnerships
Timeframe
Timeline:ongoing

Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
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Responsibilities
ResponsibleParties:Citystaff(PlanningandUrbanDevelopment,DepartmentofPublicServices)
bicycleshare,citylandimprovements,informationandpublicrestroomkiosks,pedestriancrossing
improvements;IndiaStreetNeighborhoodAssociationandCitystaff(EconomicDevelopment)
recreationbasedbusinessattractionandprograms,promotion;PortlandTrailsandConventionand
VisitorsBureaucoordinationonpubliclandandtrailimprovements,promotion
Stakeholders
Residents
Tourists
SailMaine
BusinessOwners(especiallymobileandrecreationbasedretail)
PortlandTrails
OceanGatewayTerminal
CascoBaylines



Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
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Critical Action 12
Make India Street Neighborhood a model for stormwater management

Background
TheIndiaStreetNeighborhoodisanidealdistricttoexercisegoodstormwaterstrategiesfortheCityof
Portland.TheCityismovingtowardsadoptingaStormwaterServiceChargethatwillprovideeconomic
incentivesfordevelopersandpropertyownerstoreduceandtreatrunoff.Thefirststepforthe
neighborhoodwillbeadistrictanalysisresultinginengineeringandlandscapearchitecturestrategies
andrecommendations.Lowimpactdesignandgreeninfrastructurestrategieswillbeimplemented
whereverpossible;theCitywillleadbyexamplewhenmakingimprovementstothepublicrightofway
inthisneighborhood,usingIndiaStreetasaprimedemonstrationsiteforgoodstormwaterpractices.
Proposal
Requisitionastudyonthestormwaterneedsandpotentialimplementationthroughoutthe
neighborhoodonpublicandprivateproperty.Basedontherecommendationsofthestudy,an
implementationplanandbudgewillbecreated.Implementationstrategieswilllikelyinclude:green
infrastructure,StormwaterServiceCharge,Lowimpactdesign,decreaseimpervioussurfaces,increase
inpervioussurfaces(sidewalkmaterials,greenroofs,streettrees).
PotentialIssues
Thegreatestbarrierwouldbecostofimplementation;ideally,publicandprivateinterestswouldboth
contributetothisgoal.
FinancialResources
Budget:
Timeframe
Timeline:
Responsibilities
ResponsibleParty:Citystaff,DepartmentofPublicServices,Planning&UrbanDevelopment
Stakeholders
Waterfrontindustryandpropertyowners
Residents
PropertyOwners
RealEstateDevelopers

Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
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Critical Action 13
India Street representation on the city Resilience Working Group

Background
Arecommendationofthe2014UrbanLandInstituteAdvisoryPanelonClimateChangeistheformation
ofaResilienceWorkingGroup.Thisgroupwouldconsiderthewaterfrontasawholeacross
jurisdictionalboundaries.Thisgroupwouldinvolvethemajorstakeholdersfromthewaterfronttouse
theinformationfromtheRiskDataGroupandtodeterminespecificrisksfacedbypropertiesalongthe
waterfront,whicharelikelytobethemostvulnerabletosealevelriseandstormsurge.Itisimportant
tohaveanintegratedapproachtoresiliencewithasharedresourcelikethewaterfront.Asawaterfront
community,itisessentialthattheinterestsoftheIndiaStreetneighborhoodberepresentedonthis
WorkingGroupasclimatechangestrategiescontinuetobedevelopedfortheregion.
Proposal
Asawaterfrontcommunity,itisessentialthattheinterestsoftheIndiaStreetneighborhoodbe
representedonthefuturecityResilienceWorkingGroupasclimatechangestrategiescontinuetobe
developedfortheregion.TheproposalisfortheIndiaStreetneighborhoodtohaveatleastone
representativeonthisworkinggroup.
PotentialIssues
TheULIAdvisoryPanelwillsubmittheirfinalreporttotheCitythissummer;Ithasnotbeendetermined
whethertheCitywilladoptalloftherecommendationsoftheULIreportincludingtheformationofthe
ResilienceWorkingGroup.Arepresentativefromtheneighborhoodwillneedtobeidentifiedata
futuretime.
FinancialResources
Budget:N/A
Timeframe
Timeline:Itisanticipatedthisgroupwouldbeformedin2015
Responsibilities
ResponsibleParties:Citystaff,Planning&UrbanDevelopmentandWaterfrontCoordinator;IndiaStreet
neighborhoodrepresentative
Stakeholders
Residents
PropertyOwners
Waterfrontrelatedindustryandbusiness
GreaterPortlandLandmarks(historicdistrictandlandmarks)

Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
22

Critical Action 14
Participate in energy benchmarking as part of the Portland 2030 District

Background
IntheUS,buildingsaccountfor36%oftotalenergyuseand30%ofgreenhousegasemissions.
Benchmarkinginvolvestrackingandreportingenergyuse,whichshowshowbuildingsuseandwaste
energyandhelpsidentifyopportunitiestolowerenergycostsandimprovebuildingoperations.Greater
PortlandCouncilofGovernmentsispartneringwithMobilizeMainetodevelopaPortland2030District
inordertotrackenergydataofbuildingsonthePortlandpeninsula.Thegoalofthe2030Districtisto
reduceenergyusageinbuildingsincludingwaterandtransportationemissions50%by2030.The
benefitsofa2030districtinclude:promotescollaboration;createsfriendlycompetition;saveson
energyandmaintenancecosts;createsjobs;improvesinfrastructure;encouragesbusinessestorelocate
toareaswithexistinginfrastructureandadaptivereuse;reducesgreenhousegasemissions;promotes
awarenessofenergysavingtechnologiesandpractices.
Proposal
WiththecreationofaPortland2030District,propertyownersenrolltheirbuildingsinaprogramthat
tracksenergyuse.Allbuildingsintheneighborhoodshouldbeenrolledmembersinthissimpleand
affordableportfoliomanagementprogram(EPAEnergyStarPortfolioManager).
PotentialIssues
TheULIAdvisoryPanelwillsubmittheirfinalreporttotheCitythissummer;Ithasnotbeendetermined
whethertheCitywilladoptalloftherecommendationsoftheULIreportincludingtheformationofthe
ResilienceWorkingGroup.Arepresentativefromtheneighborhoodwillneedtobeidentifiedata
futuretime.
FinancialResources
Budget:Nocostsassociatedwithmembership
Sources:GreaterPortlandCouncilofGovernmentsandMobilizeMaine
Timeframe
Timeline:FirstPortland2030DistrictBoardmeetingsummer2014
BuildingEnergyUseReductionTargets
10%by2015
20%by2020
35%by2025
Responsibilities
ResponsibleParties:City
Stakeholders
Residents
Portland,Maine
India Street Sustainable Neighborhood Plan
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PropertyOwners
EnergyUtilities(CentralMainePower)
MainePublicUtilitiesCommission
CityofPortland(CityCouncil)