Main Street in the Aroostook County city of Presque Isle and Congress Street in the Oxford County town of Rumford were the top picks among 3,000 respondents surveyed about the downtowns they most wanted to see brought back to life.
“The findings suggest that while many historic downtowns have lost foot traffic over the years, locals still feel strongly attached to them — and want to see restaurants, cafes, independent shops, public spaces and local character return,” a spokesperson for financial media company MarketBeat, which conducted the survey, told Mainebiz.
“Historic Main Streets are more than sentimental landmarks; they are a reflection of how people feel about the future of their communities,” Matt Paulson, founder of MarketBeat, said in a news release. “When residents believe in a downtown’s future, it reflects optimism about small businesses, tourism, property investment and civic life.”
He continued, “This survey shows Americans do not want these places frozen in time. They want practical revival that brings activity back while preserving the local character that made these districts matter in the first place.”
Maine character
In Presque Isle, the survey found that “northern Maine character” still runs through the downtown district, where there are low-rise commercial blocks and longtime local businesses. The city developed as an agricultural and transportation hub serving much of Aroostook County during the railroad era.
In Rumford, brick commercial buildings and old mill-town streets occupy the downtown district. The town became closely tied to paper manufacturing after the establishment of the Rumford Falls Paper Co. Recent historic housing conversions are drawing new residents downtown.
Downtown decline
The survey, conducted in May, came as chain stores, bypasses and sprawling retail corridors continue to reshape municipalities, although historic Main Streets and old commercial districts still have brick storefronts, railroad-era buildings, old theaters, civic squares, waterfront blocks and walkable character. Some have seen new investment, but others haven’t.
Rising rents and business costs were blamed for the decline of downtowns by 20% of respondents, followed by big-box stores and shopping centers and lack of investment. Other perceived causes included online shopping, highway bypasses and traffic moving elsewhere, not enough parking, poor planning or zoning, safety concerns and population decline.
“The findings suggest that locals do not see downtown decline as having one single cause,” the release said. “Instead, they appear to view it as the result of several long-running pressures: retail moving outward, costs rising, investment slowing and daily life becoming less centered around traditional town centers.”
Not just nostalgia
When asked what they would most like to see return to historic downtowns, Maine respondents pointed to places to eat, gather, browse and spend time without needing a car or a shopping mall.
Nearly a quarter said they most wanted to see diners, cafes and restaurants return. Live music and entertainment venues, farmers’ markets and street fairs and family-friendly public spaces each garnered about a fifth of votes.
Bookstores, galleries, cultural spaces, boutique hotels and restored historic inns were also mentioned.
“The results suggest that people are not simply nostalgic for old buildings; they want historic downtowns to become useful, social and active again,” according to a news release.
Public funding
More than half of respondents said they feel either very or somewhat attached to historic Main Streets and old downtown districts near them.
Support for preservation was especially strong when respondents were asked directly whether their small-town Main Streets are worth saving. A majority, 83%, said yes.
When asked what gives an old Main Street the strongest comeback potential, locals focused on practical factors that can support everyday life and local business such as local amenities and walkability.
The survey found broad support for using public funding or grants to revive historic downtowns.
