Preservation Alert
There will be public hearings on the proposed cuts to Portland’s budget on Monday, May 5 at 7:00 pm & Monday, May 19 at 7:00 pm. The meetings will take place at City Hall. Public comment will be taken at this time, and the Council proposes to vote on the budget on May 19. We encourage you to attend these meetings and/or make your views known to the city council via email at http://www.portlandmaine.gov/council.htm
The City Manager proposes to eliminate the historic preservation compliance officer and urban design positions. Greater Portland Landmarks believes that this recommendation is shortsighted because these positions support our future economic vitality by preserving our authentic historic architecture and addressing overall development. GPL believes these positions are critical to our future because:
**The recent passage of the enhanced state historic preservation tax credit will attract developers from across the country and increase the demand for service from the City’s historic preservation department.
**Development pressures on our city are mounting along the Eastern Waterfront, downtown, and in Bayside. This is not the time to reduce our attention to historic preservation and urban design.
**We must be proactive in protecting and enhancing our brand by investing in our strongest assets – our historic buildings and urban design qualities – that define Portland us as a place.
Please make your voice heard and join us at these critical meetings on May 5 & May 19, 2008.
Read more from Greater Portland Landmarks Executive Director Hilary Bassett about this important issue. 
Read the City Manager's budget recommendation report.
Portland Press Herald article on April 29 public meeting
Portland's Historic Preservation Board