August 21, 2025

• Openings on Portland’s Historic Preservation Board: Are you a Portland resident with interest and experience in architecture and a passion for preservation? Do you want to provide guidance for projects at historic sites and play a role in the future of Portland? Apply to serve on the Historic Preservation Board! Applications are due September 5th.

• East Brown Cow: Kate and Alison met with Tim Soley and members of his team at East Brown Cow to learn more about the company and their projects in greater Portland, especially the Old Port Sq. proposal recently filed with the City with updates. The project is expected to go through the Planning Board review process this fall, and we will remain engaged. A community meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, September 2nd at 5:30. We encourage all who are interested in learning more about this project to attend.

Courtesy Maine Historical Society, Item MMN #28860

• 465 Congress Street: GPL staff had the opportunity to tour the interior of the People’s United Bank (aka Fidelity Trust) Building at 465 Congress with the developer, Jim Brady, of Fathom Cos. When constructed in 1910, the building was Maine’s tallest skyscraper. The project converts the former bank into a bank-themed hotel with 99 rooms and suites, a restaurant and bar, and a wellness center that incorporates the original vault. Read more about our tour and the project here.

• Music Hall: Portland City Council voted to approve a 180-day moratorium on new event venues, which will delay the Music Hall proposal to further study impacts on the neighborhood. The Planning Board then voted to table the application during the moratorium. While just outside the boundary of the Congress Street Historic District, this project sits within a historic context and a gateway into the heart of Portland’s downtown. GPL will continue to follow this project and the additional discussions through the moratorium.

• 142 Free Street: As you may have read in the Portland Press Herald, against our urging and the preference of Portland’s Planning and Historic Preservation Boards, PMA is moving forward with the planned demolition of 142 Free Street well before their planned expansion is approved by the City or fully funded; and without clear plans for an interim solution. Historic districts are more than buildings; they are streetscapes with character and history. Beyond the harmful reclassification of 142 Free Street, designated as a contributing building whose evolution, history, and 1920s façade epitomized the history of an evolving Congress Street, removing a historic building from a historic streetscape creates a hole. Not only is this bad practice for historic districts, it is bad urbanism. We are advocating that it should not be possible to create a hole in a historic district without approval for what will replace it.

August 7, 2025

• Old Port Sq.: A proposal for the tallest building in Maine has certainly stirred up a lot of conversation around Portland, including at GPL. Staff had a great introductory conversation with Jessica James at Longfellow Communications who is managing community relations for East Brown Cow. Jessica is facilitating meetings with the project team and GPL’s staff and working group to discuss the proposal in more detail.

• Foreside: Kate and Alison have started a dialogue with the developers of Foreside at the historic Portland Company complex. With a mixture of historic structures and new construction, staff is excited to learn more about the next phases of the project.

• Historic Preservation Program Website Resources: Portland’s Historic Preservation department is updating their website to provide more information with greater accessibility for users. These great improvements include a dedicated page for each local historic district now with reports, maps, and property descriptions, and information about Historic Landscape Districts and individual local Landmarks. With more updates to come, be sure to check out the website when doing research on Portland properties, making changes to your historic property, or finding out more about the richness of Portland’s historic fabric.

• 142 Free Street: In preparation to raze the building, the Portland Museum of Art has been conducting exploratory demolition at 142 Free Street. A demolition permit has not yet been granted, but we anticipate the building will be removed early this fall. PMA has not shared plans for the site beyond the intention to create a park, and has not initiated the review process for their new building. GPL has publicly and privately urged PMA to delay demolition until their larger project is approved and funded, avoiding the potential of creating a hole in a historic streetscape for an unknown length of time.

• Preservation wins in ME: Colleagues across the state, including GPL, have been dedicated to passing legislation in support of Maine nonprofits and their missions. The Cultural Alliance of Maine has shared a list of wins for preservation, with support from Maine Preservation:

  • LD 146 - An Act to Increase the Maximum Amount of the Historic Property Rehabilitation Tax Credit That May be Taken in a Year. ✔️ Passed and Enacted with the Governor's Signature. The bill allows developers to divide the maximum credit of $10M available in the first two years into unequal amounts. From the Maine Association of Planners’ testimony in support: “The maximum allowable credit has not been revised since 2013. Maine construction costs have more than doubled in that time, meaning that the allowable $5 million goes less than half as far as it did in 2013 to offset costs associated with construction… at a time when creating more housing units is a bipartisan priority.”

  • LD 1755 - An Act to Increase the Maine Historic Property Rehabilitation Tax Credit in Rural Areas. ✔️ Passed and Enacted with the Governor's Signature. Increases the state Historic Property Rehabilitation tax credit by 10% if the project is at least 33% dedicated to housing and is in an unorganized territory or municipality with fewer than 12,500 residents.

  • Historic Buildings Bond Administration budget item: ✔️ Fully funded. In 2024 voters approved a $10 million bond for historic buildings owned by municipalities and nonprofits. CAM supported Maine Preservation in advocating for its passage with legislators, followed by promotion of the ballot question with voters. This year, the full $25K requested by Maine Historic Preservation Commission for bond administration was included in the supplemental budget.

July 24, 2025

• Neighborhood Tour with Council Michniewicz: GPL's Executive Director (Kate) and Advocacy Director (Alison) spent a sunny afternoon walking through the charming streets of Bayside with District 1 Councilor Sarah Michniewicz. They learned more about neighborhood dynamics and discussed the history of buildings and blocks. GPL would like to thank Councilor Michniewicz for the excursion and for her interest in the history of Portland!

• Moratorium Vote Postponed: Due to technical difficulties, many of the agenda items on the July City Council agenda were postponed until August, including the vote to approve a moratorium on new event venues that would impact the Music Hall proposal in Portland. In the meantime, plans are moving forward for all three buildings on the block (between City Hall at Top of the Old Port parking lot) including the Music Hall, a hotel, and a condo building. GPL will continue to engage with these proposals as they progress.

• Historic Preservation Fund: After the Historic Preservation Fund from the FY2025 approved budget was finally released, we are advocating for level funding in the FY2026 budget that is currently being drafted in the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The House's version retains the funding so we urged Senator Collins to keep the budget for historic preservation as it is currently proposed. These funds support statewide preservation commissions that make much of the preservation work possible, such as historic tax credit projects, National Register Nominations, partnerships and grants to organizations like GPL, and much more. It is critical that the funding remains in this bill.

• 2025 Preservation Awards Celebration: We are excited to announce our 2025 Preservation Awards and invite all who value historic places to our 60th Birthday Bash and Awards ceremony on October 28th. Our biannual awards program recognizes outstanding examples of adaptive reuse, restoration, contextual new construction, innovations in preservation technology, storytelling, and place making as well as the dedicated individuals who make this work possible. Learn more about our winners and save the date for the event! Sponsorships are available, tickets go on sale soon.

• Union Station Clock: Union Station Railroad Depot was built in 1888 at St. Johns and Congress streets in Portland. It was the last stop of several rail lines but as rail use declined, the station became less utilized and was demolished in 1961 for a strip mall. The loss of this Romanesque Style masonry building prompted the creation of Greater Portland Landmarks. The clock survived the demolition and was relocated in 1982 to a custom-built structure in Congress Square Park, not far from its original location. As the City prepares for a renovation of the park, GPL became aware that the clock's structure would be demolished. We are in the process of gathering information about plans for the clock to ensure that it is properly dismantled, packaged, stored, and ideally relocated to a publicly accessible location. Let us know where you think it should go!

• Protect Nonprofit Nonpartisanship: GPL signed on to a national letter calling on the Trump Administration to protect nonprofit nonpartisanship. Like all 501(c)3 organizations, GPL is prohibited from endorsing or opposing partisan political candidates for public office. The Trump Administration is attempting to exempt houses of worship and religious organizations from this requirement. Weakening this provision would jeopardize the integrity of the entire nonprofit community and escalate a broader effort to dismantle the longstanding expectation that charitable organizations stay above the political fray in both practice and principle.

July 10, 2025

• Preservation Dollars Make Sense: The preservation community's federal-level advocacy efforts have shown some fruits: the FY25 Historic Preservation Funds have finally been released, meaning that our state historic preservation office will continue to operate for the time being. To ensure these funds remain for 2026, contact Senators Collins and King now and urge them to support Historic Preservation Funds (HPF) in the Interior and Environmental Appropriations bill which should be coming from Republicans any time. Meanwhile, here in Maine, two historic tax credit bills passed thanks to the steadfast advocacy efforts of GPL, our partners like Maine Preservation, and supporters who contacted their elected officials: LD 146, which will better facilitate the reuse of larger buildings (often for housing), and LD 1755 which will incentivize housing in rural areas. 

• America the Beautiful: The National Park Service stewards over 420 park units, protecting and interpreting some of the nation's most beautiful and historic places. Their efforts have been undermined by federal funding cuts, deregulation, and efforts to sell public lands for private use. On July 3, 2025 President Trump issued the "Establishing the President's Make America Beautiful Again Commission." Though the language in this Executive Order seems to support conservation priorities, it opens the door for diluting safeguards, increasing vehicular access into protected areas for commercial exploitation, and a leadership team that aligns with the fossil-fuel industry. We are concerned that protections for historic places could be compromised across the nation, and that this mentally could lead to the elimination of other regulatory and review processes that are critical to protecting historic sites. In the meantime, a bipartisan group of Senators has introduced the America the Beautiful Act (S.1547) which would extend restoration funding for National Parks at $2 billion per year for eight years. This act was introduced by Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Steve Daines (R-MT) with bipartisan cosponsors and, in addition the funding extension, would require further reporting to Congress. Learn more and show your support here. 

• On June 26, Greater Portland Landmarks held our Annual Meeting to vote on several business items including Board of Trustee leadership, our FY25-26 budget, and our new Strategic Plan. The event was held at the Safford House, our former home, now beautifully and skillfully restored by Woodhull for their offices. Staff, Board, and trusted advisors had the opportunity to tour the building and reconnect with friends and colleagues who helped us form our strategic vision for the next five years. 

• Franklin Street: As the Reimaging Franklin Street effort advances, Alison attended a Community Design Workshop held at the Portland Public Library to engage with the project team and other community members. GPL provided input about various elements of the corridor, encouraging onsite interpretation of the history of urban renewal and the neighborhood that once occupied these spaces, restoration of Lincoln Park and connections between neighborhoods, as well as urban realm improvements. We will continue to engage as this initiative moves forward. 

• 61 Preble Street: After opposing the demolition of this building we are disappointed that the Planning Board voted unanimously to approve the revisions to the original proposal. While not a designated historic building, 61 Preble, like so many other buildings, is a reusable structure that positively contributes to its streetscape while illustrating the history of the neighborhood. As Portland grows, and our environmental crisis becomes more urgent, we must be intentional about incorporating older buildings into new developments. We hope to leverage this loss for future preservation wins in the neighborhood.

• 142 Free Street, PMA: On June 24th the museum filed for a demolition permit for 142 Free Street, despite a public commitment to retain the building until the new addition is approved- a process that they have not yet begun. We are continuing our advocacy efforts with City officials and we support the ongoing efforts of Friends of Congress Street Park to prioritize revitalization and programming at this prominent public space. We urge the museum to activate the historic building, or at least secure it, while the fundraising and approvals process progresses over the next several months, or years, and redirect their focus on public space activation to Congress Street Park, their own plaza, and the other open spaces on their campus before creating another empty lot.  

• Christi Chapman-Mitchell: GPL would like to thank Christi, former Assistant Director at the Maine Historic Preservation Commission for over 20 years of service to historic preservation upon her resignation. We wish her the best!

June 26, 2025

• 142 Free Street: Though GPL lost our court case to uphold the historic preservation ordinance and prevent the razing of 142 Free Street, we have continued to urge the Portland Museum of Art to delay demolition until their project is fully funded and permitted, which not only reflects best practices but also adheres to the commitment they made to the City in public meetings. (Read our more recent letter here.) On June 24th an application for the demolition of 142 Free Street was submitted to the City. PMA has not yet begun the review process, which could take months or longer, and they have raised only 50% of their necessary funding for the project. As shared recently with the Press Herald, the Arts District/Congress Street Historic District is struggling with vacancies, vagrancy, and vandalism. An empty lot, abutting a surface parking lot and PMA’s other empty lot, would only exacerbate these challenges. Instead, PMA should active the building until the new project is shovel ready. We urge anyone who agrees to reach out to PMA and let them know that an activated building is better than an empty lot.

Kate addresses crowd

Sarah Michniewicz, Alison, and Kate

• Party in the Park: Greater Portland Landmarks joined the Portland Parks Department and other organizations at this year's Party in the Park at Payson Park! The rain held off and we were able to share our mission (and a raffle!) with Portland residents. We plan to be at many more upcoming events, festivals, and fairs so come say hi if you spot us!

• Maine Delegation Advocacy: We have been in communication with elected officials on a number of preservation priorities. Recently, we emailed all four members of the Maine delegation urging support for the Historic Preservation Fund in the bill currently moving through Congress. Representative Chellie Pingree's office wrote back and scheduled a meeting to discuss this and other issues. We had a productive conversation with staffer Evan Johnston who was aware of the concerns about the HPF and working towards resolutions. We then participated in a call with Congresswoman Pingree and other arts advocates to hear more about her efforts. We want to thank Evan and Congresswoman Pingree for their attention towards historic preservation. It's important that we all continue to contact the Maine delegation in support of releasing the FY25 Historic Preservation Funds and adding the HPF to the FY26 budget being reviewed now in the Senate. We have also contacted Senator Collins urging support of the Historic Tax Credit bill- HTC-GO. GPL will continue to collaborate with our partners to push for these critical preservation funding tools.

• Local City Council Support: Staff has been in touch with District 1 City Councilor Sarah Michniewicz on a number of issues related to historic preservation, and recently met to discuss preservation tools for the West Bayside neighborhood. We thank Councilor Michniewicz for her leadership and dedication to preservation and urban realm improvements and look forward to ongoing discussions.

• 61 Preble Street: We submitted written comments to the Planning Board regarding the demolition of 61 Preble Street as part of a Master Development Plan for the neighborhood. While we support new housing, the proposal originally retained the masonry structure at 61 Preble Street with a new addition in the abutting parking lot. Though not designated as historic currently, this building contributes to its streetscape and tells an important story about the evolution of transportation in Portland. We believe that reusable buildings should be integrated into new development whenever possible and have urged the proponent and the Planning Board to reconsider the demolition approach.

• Reimagining Franklin Street : GPL continues to advocate for our priorities in the new vision for the Franklin Street corridor. We attended a public workshop to give feedback and shared our thoughts with the outreach team. We hope to see the neighborhood knitted back together with safe pedestrian access, high-quality new architecture, and meaningful green spaces. We will be sharing more background on the history of the neighborhood and Urban Renewal as the project advances.

• Portland Music Hall: As we continue to monitor this project, we are waiting for the City Council’s vote on the moratorium on new event venues that would impact this proposal. The Sustainability and Transportation Subcommittee recently approved the moratorium.

June 12, 2025

• Historic Preservation Fund: Federal budget cuts threaten preservation work across the country. The Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) is a critical funding source for the field, and the FY26 budget, passed by the House and now being considered by the Senate before reconciliation, virtually eliminates the HPF, eroding ongoing work and future projects. The Maine Historic Preservation Office has already cut grants in response to the unreleased FY25 funding and will soon have to let go of staff if the funding is not restored. Raise your voice today by reaching out to your elected officials. 

• Historic Tax Credit: Unlike the HPF, funding for the Historic Tax Credit program was passed through the House for consideration by the Senate. There is currently an effort to not only keep the HTC in the Senate's version, but to include new provisions through the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act, or HTC-GO. A groundswell of support is needed among Republican Senators to "greenlight" inclusion of the provisions in the bill. Many projects in greater Portland would not be possible without the Historic Tax Credit, so it's critical that we don't lose it. Please reach out to Senator Collins and Senator King as soon as possible. Sample language from our colleagues at the National Preservation Partners Network: 

  “The Historic Tax Credit (HTC) is a time-tested community development tool for rehabilitating income producing historic buildings, promoting small business opportunities, housing creation, and well-paying construction jobs. The Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act [HTC-GO (H.R. 2941/S. 1459)] was recently introduced by Sens. Cassidy (R-LA) and Warner (D-VA) and Reps. LaHood (R-IL) and Suozzzi (D-NY). The bill brings more value to the HTC, by making the credit easier to use and encourages smaller as well as rural projects. Please support the Historic Tax Credit by asking Senate Finance Committee leadership to include HTC improvements in the emerging tax bill. Please find the HTC-GO Fact Sheet for more details on the legislation and bill provisions.”

• Build Maine: GPL Executive Director Kate Lemos McHale and Director of Advocacy Alison Frazee attended the Build Maine conference in Skowhegan last week. Build Maine brings together all people participating in the act of building our towns and cities. The conference featured thought leaders on everything from housing, transportation, historic tax credits, zoning, and policy. Staff learned about new projects and approaches, made contacts for further conversations, and visited inspiring adaptive reuse projects in downtown Skowhegan. 

• Historic Regulations: One of the first things you learn when studying historic preservation is that preservation happens at the local level. While the National Register of Historic Places is important, local designation is how historic resources are protected. Every municipality approaches preservation a little differently, but those that have ordinances likely have the ability to designate a building or place as a local landmark or historic district, which includes some degree of regulatory review. Sometimes this review is very broad - perhaps only restricting demolition - and sometimes it can be quite granular, requiring the replacement of materials and details in kind. The prevailing character of a historic district will likely depend on the degree of review, and some districts warrant more scrutiny than others.

  You may have heard of a current dispute in Bangor between the owner of a historic property and the local Historic Preservation Commission about replacing a slate roof. The Commission there is requiring the roof to be replaced with slate but the owner, for a variety of reasons, chose asphalt. These kinds of situations play out in historic districts across the country and most of the time a solution can be found that protects the historic resource and upholds the district's standards but is also feasible for the property owner. Such flexibility is built into Portland's historic preservation ordinance, which allows alternative replacement materials in cases where appropriate. It's important to remember that preservation is not rigid- our goal as preservationists is not to carve the city in stone or preserve it in amber. I often say, "If we can't use it, we lose it" as a reminder that most historic places have changed over time to accommodate new uses, users, and technologies and if we are too inflexible, historic structures sit empty.

  Our job is not to prevent change but to mitigate change. Here in Portland, the City's Historic Preservation staff regularly works with property owners to find a solution for their projects. We're here to help at Greater Portland Landmarks as well. We want our historic city to be full of life and vibrancy for generations to come, and that means thinking holistically about use, context, and climate.

  Don't assume that your historic property can't be changed or updated. Talk to your local historic preservation office or advocacy organization like us and get guidance on the standards for your property, learn about its history and evolution over time, and keep an open mind about ways the property can meet your needs. Historic regulations have an important purpose - they prevent the loss of places that hold meaning to our communities. Remember, we are temporary stewards of history. As John C. Sawhill explained, "In the end, our society will be defined not only by what we create but by what we refuse to destroy." 

May 15, 2025

Image Courtesy: https://www.oldportsquare.com/

Old Port Sq.

Kate and Alison attended the public unveiling of the Old Port Sq. proposal for 45 Union Street. Developer East Brown Cow plans to reimagine and rebrand Canal Plaza with updated landscaping, renovations to existing buildings, and the introduction of a retail pavilion and tower. At 380' tall, the residential and hotel tower would be the tallest building in the state. World-renowned architect Moshe Safdie, designer of the project, spoke at the event and described the new structure as a beacon, like a lighthouse, and hopes it will become part of Portland's identity. GPL will be taking a close look at this project and how it communicates with the abutting historic districts. Because most of the site is outside of the historic districts (and ReCode removed the "100' rule" where the Historic Preservation Board previously had purview over projects within 100' of a local historic district) there will be no formal review of historic preservation impacts by the city. Design review will occur through the Planning Board review process and we will be actively involved. For more background, view the documentary video made by the developer.

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Arts District Stakeholders Group

Portland's Arts District, stretching along Congress Street from City Hall to Longfellow Square, is home to cultural institutions, performing arts venues, public buildings and spaces, businesses, restaurants, shops, offices, residences, and hotels. Kate and Alison joined a broad group, convened by Mechanics’ Hall and Downtown Portland, representing Arts District property owners, tenants, residents, advocates and the city to discuss a variety of concerns including vacancies and public safety, opportunities for revitalization, and possible next steps. Several building owners are considering adding security gates to recessed entrance vestibules, which need to be approved by the Historic Preservation office for properties within the Congress Street Historic District. The city must balance safety concerns with the visual impacts and overall perception of a streetscape transformed by security gates. The group shared appreciation for the importance of ensuring the district remains a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood with life on the street. We were heartened that these issues are being discussed in earnest and urge the city to prioritize creative solutions to keep this area a vital destination. Solutions will require leadership as well as collaboration, creative thinking, and both nimble short-term interventions and a robust Arts District plan to support arts and culture, businesses, and public welfare in this area. As part of these efforts, we would also like to advance conversations about citywide wayfinding, signage, and district identification that could help increase awareness of historic districts, provide education, and create a stronger sense of place.

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2025 Preservation Awards Nominations

Know of a great preservation project or initiative?Nominate today for a 2025 Preservation Award! We can accept nominations from anyone- developers, owners, neighbors, or enthusiasts. There is no fee to nominate and we consider a wide variety of projects, programs, and people. The deadline to nominate is May 30th. Reach out to Alison Frazee with questions. We look forward to honoring our 2023 and 2025 Preservation Award winners at a fall celebration- details coming soon!

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Reimagining Franklin Street- BE HEARD

The City of Portland is asking for public feedback in the Reimagining Franklin Street effort. Now is the time to share your thoughts and experiences to help shape the approach to new and restored transportation routes, pedestrian pathways, parks and open spaces, housing and retail, and every other aspect that makes our neighborhoods thrive. Take the survey! You might consider adding comments supporting expansion of historic Lincoln Park, creating historical information signage about urban renewal and the former neighborhood that was razed, preserving any heritage trees, etc.

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Support a Historic Small Restaurant

The National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express are are once again supporting 50 small or independently owned restaurants across the country through the Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program. Each restaurant—all places that contribute to their neighborhood 's unique history and identity—will receive $50,000 in funding to help them improve their businesses and positively impact their communities. Nominate a restaurant that you love in greater Portland by filing out the online form today! The deadline is May 30th- grant details here.

May 1, 2025

What we are doing:

• May is Preservation Month! We're kicking it off with free walking tours all around the state TOMORROW (May 3) through Jane's Walk ME! With eleven unique tours in Portland you can explore everything from ghost signs and cemeteries to parks and public spaces. Pop over to Westbrook to tour thrift stores, markets, and little free libraries. See Yarmouth's history through the eyes of poets. Or, get to know historic Gorham right after the opening day of the Farmers Market! Greater Portland is wide open for you on May 3rd! No tickets or registration required just be there!

• Speaking of Preservation Month, May is the perfect time to show your support for our work. As the leading nonprofit advocate for historic preservation in greater Portland, we are funded by you, our followers and supporters. Every contribution is meaningful to us and adds your voice to ours as we advocate for historic places that tell full, honest history of our cities, towns, and country. Give today and be part of the movement.

• May is also our Call for Nominations for our 2025 Preservation Awards! Anyone can nominate a person, project, or program that supports our historic preservation mission. Submission requirements are on the website- no fee for nominating. Nominations are due by May 30th. Contact Alison Frazee with questions.

• The City of Portland has launched the Reimagining Franklin visioning and implementation process to make major changes to the Franklin Street corridor. Kate and Alison attended an open house on April 17th where they chatted about the project with team members and other attendees, including GPL Trustees Bill Hall and Chloe Martin. We feel like this initiative is off to a good start- the strong project team is asking the right questions and getting public feedback early in the process. We were glad to see a lot of public support for restoring Lincoln Park. Staff will continue to engage and provide background information about the history of the corridor and urban renewal practices as well as recommendations for improvements that honor and uplift the history of the area.

GPL Executive Director Kate Lemos McHale
and Board Member Chloe Martin

What we are thinking about:

• Alison joined a webinar hosted by Nonprofit VOTE to learn more about the legal boundaries for 501(c)3 nonprofits regarding nonpartisanship. As a 501(c)3, we are permitted to share information about candidates and their platforms without promoting one candidate over another. Our job is to provide you with all the information you need related to our mission and encourage action. With that in mind, here is a resource where you can find timely information about what's happening with cultural policy at the federal level and ways to voice your opinion: Cultural Alliance of Maine. Stay tuned, stay alert, and stay active.

• After the first meeting of the Maine Deconstruction Network, Alison is getting up to speed on local and state policies and guidelines, such as the Maine Won't Wait four-year plan for climate action. Historic preservation is an integral part of climate action and we're eager to be active in these conversations, strategies, and action plans.

April 17, 2025

Updates on our recent advocacy efforts:

• Portland Museum of Art: After extensive consideration, Greater Portland Landmarks has decided not to appeal the judge's ruling regarding 142 Free Street. Though we disagree with the outcome, we believe that it is in the best interest of all involved to move forward. We remain dedicated to protecting the integrity of Portland's preservation ordinance and intend to elevate education and awareness efforts to ensure that future losses of historic fabric are avoided. We will engage with the review process as the project moves through the Historic Preservation Board and the Planning Board. We believe there are pathways available to us to solidify our organization's legal standing in any other cases.

  In recent conversations with PMA leadership, we urged the museum to be responsible stewards of their historic campus: to properly document 142 Free Street with drawings, scans, and photography, to deconstruct the building and salvage any reusable materials, and to create exhibits and programs about the history of the site, all of which the museum has stated they will do. We asked PMA to commit to not demolishing the building until their new project is funded and approved. We believe this is a reasonable request, especially since PMA publicly committed to do so in previous Planning Board documents. Furthermore, PMA demolished another building on their campus for a project that never came to fruition and the site remains an empty lot today- an outcome that could be avoided by postponing demolition. Unfortunately, it seems that the PMA will fail to honor this commitment.

  We extend our deepest appreciation to all of those who have supported our efforts. Though we did not prevail in this case, our choice to move forward without an appeal allows us to focus our resources on future projects, initiatives, and partnerships. The next few months will be full of exciting updates and announcements, so please continue to support Greater Portland Landmarks as we embark on a new chapter of preservation in Portland.

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• Reimagining Franklin Street: Our staff attended the City of Portland's Open House for the Reimagining Franklin Street project where we learned more about the project. Urban Renewals practices in the 1960s resulted in the razing of a dense residential neighborhood along this corridor to facilitate vehicular movement in and out of downtown. These kinds of efforts caused widespread displacement for minority, immigrant, and underprivileged households while making it easier for wealthier commuters to get to work in urban cores and back home to the suburbs via the interstate. This project has the potential to knit the neighborhood back together. Join GPL in learning about the plans and advocating for preservation goals as the process moves forward.

• Gorham Connector: We recently submitted a letter to the Joint Standing Committee on Transporation at the State House in support of LD1020- An Act Repealing the Laws of the Gorham Connector. We join Mainers for Smarter Transportation in the belief that other solutions can be found for regional traffic congestion that will have less impact to historic farms and open space, like the 18th century Smiling Hill Farm in Westbrook/Scarborough.

• ME Deconstruction Network: Alison is joining a new coalition called the Maine Deconstruction Network to advocate for deconstruction practices in greater Portland. Our first priority it to reuse a building on site, but when that is not an option, the best thing for the environment is to deconstruct a building (dismantle piece by piece) instead of mechanical demolition (think wrecking balls and bulldozers) that send reusable materials to landfills. We know that the average single-family home in America, when demolished, creates about the same amount of waste as the average American in their entire lifetime. When a building is deconstructed, its reusable materials can be made available for reuse in a new project or another site. Older and historic buildings often have old-growth wood, hand-carved marble, detailed ornamentation, large slabs of stone, etc. that can be reused if the building is taken down properly. Many cities across the country have already adopted deconstruction ordinances and we look forward to bringing these policies to Maine.

• National Trust for Historic Preservation: Recently, the National Trust emailed their supporters sounding the alarm about federal actions that have direct impacts on historic preservation. As they work at the federal level, they've charged all of us to use our voices at the local level: Share how federal actions are impacting you and your community; Learn how to be a grassroots advocate; Support the historic tax credit; Contact your representatives; Donate to local advocacy groups like GPL. Our historic preservation programs are losing staff and funding, National Parks are under threat, and critical tools for protecting places could be eliminated. We must take action now.

• Music Hall: Portland City Council is considering a 180-day moratorium on the development of large-scale (2,000+ seats) theatres and performance venues. This could impact the proposal we have been following for the Music Hall at 244 Cumberland Avenue, which is being proposed as 3,300 seats. A second reading is required before City Council can vote on the moratorium. 

What we are thinking about:

• With the weather finally starting to feel more like spring, we're excited to get back out into our communities and explore Maine's historic places. Jane's Walk is a global free festival of volunteer-led walking conversations inspired by Jane Jacobs. Join us May 3rd for walks (and bike rides!) in Portland, Gorham, Yarmouth, and more!

April 3, 2025

The outcome of our case against Portland's City Council regarding 142 Free Street is disappointing and deeply concerning. While we believe that the building itself is historically significant and a contributing resource to the historic district, this case has always been about the integrity of Portland’s historic preservation ordinance. Click here for a summary of why this is so important, and why because of PMA’s action and City Council’s vote, Portland could lose so much more than one building.

Updates on our recent advocacy efforts:

• Music Hall at 244 Cumberland Avenue: Mile Marker Investments, a local developer, in partnership with Live Nation has proposed a new Music Hall across from Merrill Auditorium in Portland’s Arts District. After attending a public meeting earlier this year where a number of concerns were expressed about the proposal, GPL invited the project team to meet with us for further discussion. We are not satisfied that our concerns were heard at that meeting.

Our Director of Advocacy, Alison Frazee, then attended a Planning Board workshop on March 20th where the architect for the project, DAIQ, described the design as taking cues from historic warehouses but with modern touches, intentionally devoid of detail and articulation. Unlike the Music Hall recently completed by the same team in Boston with architectural detail, rich materials, and a contextual design, the architect claimed that Portland is a much “simpler” city than Boston, with less architectural detail, and therefore it is appropriate to build a warehouse in Portland. We strongly disagree with this sentiment; Portland has a robust architectural collection with a variety of expressions to inspire new design. Portland deserves nothing less in quality of design, materials, and detail than Boston.

This is a prominent site and a gateway to the Arts District. A new building here should respond more thoughtfully and generously to that context and the streetscapes. Alison provided brief comments at the workshop and GPL plans to submit more detailed feedback soon. Because so many people attended the workshop that an overflow room was needed, the Planning Board said that a second workshop would be scheduled for further public comment.

• West Bayside Development: We are taking a closer look at the West Bayside Master Development Plan, in process since 2022. Recently, the proposal for 61 Preble Street was changed to demolition. We are reviewing the significance of this property, as well as other properties within the project scope that are slated to be demolished.

• Gorham Connector: GPL opposes the proposed Gorham Connector that calls for the construction of a highway through historic spaces in Westbrook and Scarborough, namely the Smiling Hill Farm. We supported LD1020: An Act Repealing the Laws for the Gorham Connector yesterday and encouraged all involved to pursue other traffic solutions that would have a smaller impact on historic farmlands and open space. 

What we are thinking about:

• As members of a broader coalition of historic preservation advocates, GPL is aware of a trend of federal actions that are damaging, if not destroying, efforts to tell America’s story through our shared cultural heritage. We partner with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Preservation Partners Network (NPPN) to find solutions for common challenges, swap ideas and success stories, and support our colleagues across the country, many of whom are losing their jobs, funding, and authority.

• We are deeply disturbed by the Trump administration’s flagrant efforts to whitewash American history in the Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History Executive Order, issued March 27, 2025. NPPN has issued a statement outlining recent federal actions impacting historic preservation, from drastic cuts to staffing and funding at the National Park Service to freezes at the Historic Preservation Fund to censure and erasure of American history.

  For too long, our history books and historic places have neglected to represent the full and truthful narrative of this country. This has resulted in an unbalanced historical record in the built environment, with the homes, churches and monuments of glorified white history more often preserved, while those of communities whose stories are not told have been altered or torn down. Preservation is rightly moving in the right direction, broadening the understanding of who and what are considered significant contributions to history and reassessing how we preserve, protect, and interpret that history. The last decade or so has seen significant improvement: new research and interpretation at historic sites, more voices and experiences on boards and commissions, and stronger policies and processes to protect underrepresented places. 

  Actions by the current administration erode much of this progress and signal a false belief that Americans are not capable of understanding or willing to acknowledge the hard, sad, and uncomfortable periods of our past. We the people cannot go backwards. What we are seeing (and what is now threatened) is the much overdue filling in of significant gaps to make sure we tell a full history and fully grasp the mistakes and missteps in our history.

  There is still much to do, even in – maybe especially in – Portland where our history as a thriving port has benefitted from the contributions of Black longshoremen and mariners, offered sanctuary to people of African descent fleeing enslavement, and was enriched by the trade of goods produced by enslaved African labor in Cuba and the Caribbean. Portland has many more stories to tell.

  Greater Portland Landmarks will not tolerate blatantly racist policies. We will continue to work with our partners locally and nationally to oppose these actions and denounce the administration's false assertions in the Executive Order. We encourage you to use your voice and contact your representatives in support of historic preservation funding, staffing, and autonomy. As more information becomes available, we will share specific action items. We always appreciate hearing from you- let us know your concerns, experiences, and advocacy.

March 21, 2025

Updates on our recent advocacy efforts:

• 142 Free Street: We have not yet heard from the judge after oral arguments earlier this month, so we continue to wait for her ruling and plan for all outcomes. We remain optimistic that a solution can be found that balances growth of the Portland Museum of Art and protection of the city's historic preservation ordinance and resources. 

• Custom House Tours: Last Sunday (March 16th) GPL hosted an open house at the historic Custom House! About 340 visitors explored the incredible interior spaces and original details that illustrate the history of the building and of Portland. Docents were on site to answer questions. GPL will continue to monitor the U.S. General Services Administration website for updates on the potential disposal of the building and will advocate for its preservation and interpretation. For more coverage of this fantastic event, see the News Center Maine coverage!

• Cultural Advocacy Day: Kate and Alison attended Cultural Advocacy Day at the Maine State House, hosted by the Cultural Alliance of Maine, to network with other advocates, learn more about relevant legislation, and build connections with local leaders. Did you know that Maine is #2 in the country for participation in art and craftsmanship, and for number of museums per capita? Or that 3.6 million square feet of residential and commercial spaces have been preserved and 1,300 affordable housing units were created with the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit from 2009-2019? Culture is critical to the Maine way of life! We were happy to hear Senator Rick Bennett (R-Oxford) talk about the benefits of adaptive reuse in revitalizing a former shoe factory in Norway, ME among other examples.

• Grant Opportunity: The Maine Historic Preservation Commission will be administering a new grant for the restoration of qualifying historic community buildings. The Historic Community Buildings Bond Grant Program makes $10m available over three grant rounds and is open to nonprofits and government entities. Stay tuned for application dates, and find more information about the program here.

• 244 Cumberland Meeting: GPL met virtually with a project team representative for the proposed Music Hall at 244 Cumberland Avenue in Portland to better understand their proposed project and offer recommendations for improving the design as it relates to the historic City Hall across the street and engages with the streetscape and public way. GPL asked questions about how this new venue might impact nearby performance spaces in historic buildings. We strongly support the continued success of Portland’s performing arts and other cultural institutions in historic buildings and advocated for this priority in the meeting.

What we’re thinking about:

• As we wrap up our strategic planning process, we are thinking about how GPL can best serve our communities. Over our 60 years, we have offered a number of different programs, educational opportunities, and networking events. We are critically reviewing these programs and coming up with new ideas for how we can advance our mission. Let us know if there's a preservation need that you think GPL can meet, or a past program you would love to see us continue. Email Alison at afrazee@portlandlandmarks.org with your thoughts and ideas.

March 7, 2025

Updates on our recent advocacy efforts:

• On Wednesday, March 5th, 2025, Honorable Judge Deborah P. Cashman of the Cumberland County Superior Court heard oral arguments on GPL's appeal related to upholding Portland’s Historic Preservation Ordinance and 142 Free Street. (For all the background information and related press, make sure to click the link.) Attorneys for GPL, the City of Portland, and the Portland Museum of Art presented statements and answered questions from the judge. As anticipated, no determination was provided at the time, so we wait for the judge's ruling which could be days or weeks. In the meantime, GPL staff continues collegial communication with the Portland Art Museum as we look for common ground and an acceptable path forward.

• Also on March 5th, the Committee on Taxation at the State House heard public testimony for LD 435, An Act to Expand the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit. This legislation would accomplish several recommendations for the successful tax credit program including eliminating the sunset provision to make the program permanent, expediting the timing of the credit, increasing the base to 30% and the cap to $1M, and expanding the credit to include certain residential projects. GPL testified in support of this legislation and submitted written comments. Read our support letter here.

US Customs House, 312 Fore Street, Portland.

• The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) briefly posted a list on their website of federally-owned properties that could be considered for disposal. Among the properties on the list was the U.S. Custom House at 312 Fore Street in Portland. Completed in 1872 in Second Empire and Renaissance Revival styles, the Custom House is a treasure trove of maritime and railroad history, the country's history of taxing imported goods (including a dungeon!), and local Portland history. If the Custom House remains on a list for disposal, GPL will strive to work closely with any future users or buyers to assure that the historic interiors are preserved, interpreted, and publicly accessible. GPL staff recently toured this stunning building and learned more about its significance to the region.

• GPL Executive Director Kate Lemos McHale and Director of Advocacy Alison Frazee have recently had engaging conversations with City Councilors to share news and updates, discuss priorities, and offer our resources. We look forward to further collaboration with all of the City Council on a variety of preservation-related topics. 

• We are excited to offer three walking tours for this year's Jane's Walk on Saturday, May 3. Jane's Walk is a global festival of free, volunteer-led walking conversations inspired by community activist Jane Jacobs. Submissions for walks are being accepted through March 14 and we encourage anyone with an idea for a walk to find guidance on the Jane’s Walk ME website and submit it. Stay tuned for more information and join us for custom, guided walks in Portland, Gorham, and Yarmouth on May 3rd!

Masonic Temple Theater, 415 Congress Street, Portland.

• GPL staff has been out and about in Portland! We recently had the opportunity to tour the Portland Masonic at 415 Congress Street and learn more about its rich history, current preservation needs, and partnership opportunities. Built in 1911 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Portland Masonic boasts seven floors of stunning spaces including a theatre, event spaces, a Civil War museum and research library, and meeting rooms. We will continue to engage with Masonic staff to find solutions to preservation challenges at the site.

What we're thinking about:

• We've been thinking a lot about how climate-driven rising water will impact Portland in the years and decades to come. We recommend a visit to the Envision Resilience Challenge display in the community gallery at the Portland Public Library. This project engaged 346 students from 13 universities to study climate-related challenges, including sustainable growth in Portland. We found some of their ideas very compelling for living with water! But we're also worried that many of our historic neighborhoods will be threatened by flooding to the point that businesses and residents will move out leading to disinvestment and ultimately loss of Portland's historic fabric. Historic corridors like Commercial Street are critical contributors to our local economy. We're thinking more about Portland's Coastal Flood Risk Map, One Climate Future, and what protections are still needed for historic resources. We are exploring ways to address the threat of rising seawater on Portland’s designated historic resources within the CFROZ, and expand our Staying Above Water property owner's guide to include the Commercial Street and Stroudwater areas.

(Photo Credit: One Climate Future- Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment, 2019)

• As South Portland continues to pursue the conversion of the Mahoney Middle School building to community space, which we strongly support, we are thinking proactively about adaptive reuse of school buildings in Portland. If selected for state funding, Portland may pursue consolidation of at least two of its high schools, leaving one or more of the previous school buildings vacant. In that scenario, GPL would encourage adaptive reuse for housing, community space, or other uses that support the neighborhood. 

• The Portland History Docent (PHD) program is a ten-week training program for new perspective volunteer guides that GPL has supported for many years. Alison Frazee (GPL's new Director of Advocacy) is a PHD student this year to learn more about the city's rich and diverse history and eleven of its historic sites. With the first class under her belt, Alison is excited to explore more of Portland!

• Still weighing heavily on our minds is the uncertainty of federal funding, putting in jeopardy the ability to carry out important mission-driven work for preservation through staffing cuts, the shuttering of programs, and cutting grant funding typically accessible through the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. This situation also may impact beloved institutions in historic sites who rely on federal earmarks and Congressionally Directed Spending. We are working with our partners, such as the Maine Association of Nonprofits, to monitor the situation and advocate for funding. 

February 21, 2025

Updates on our recent advocacy efforts:

• As a follower of GPL, you know that we filed a lawsuit against Portland City Council last fall regarding 142 Free Street, the former Children's Museum building beside the Portland Museum of Art (PMA). Oral arguments have been scheduled for March 5, 2025 for the judge's consideration of our appeal.

  Constructed in 1830, 142 Free Street was one of Portland's first theatres, but due to stigmas about performing arts, the venture was not successful. Over time, the building was rehabilitated to reflect the needs of Portland in different eras; it was reimagined as a church, a chamber of commerce, and a children's museum. Today, this neighborhood is a designated local historic district and 142 Free Street is considered a contributing structure that tells stories of Portland's evolution.

  All historic building are modified over time, reflecting changes in use, material availability, style and design preferences, technology, fires and natural disasters, and the needs and preferences of their users. When associated with an important period in a building’s history, such alterations contribute to its significance.

  Unfortunately, when asked by the current owner, PMA, to downgrade the status of 142 Free Street to "noncontributing" so that it could be demolished, City Council rejected the recommendations from the Historic Preservation Board, the Planning Board, Greater Portland Landmarks, and dozens of others who testified in support of maintaining its contributing status. By doing so, City Council undermined a crucial ordinance that protects historic resources across the city, setting precedent for future challenges and losses in all of Portland's historic districts as well as local historic districts across the country.

  GPL continues to believe that there is a better solution that would allow for expansion of the museum without the loss of a contributing structure and remains in contact with leadership at PMA to further dialogue about alternatives. 

• GPL staff members recently attended Nonprofit Advocacy Day at the State House to learn more about advocacy processes in state government and connect with other Maine nonprofits. We also submitted a letter of support for a bill that would expand the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit in Maine.

• Maine Association of Nonprofits is sending a memo to Congress outlining the many benefits of nonprofits. GPL added our name to this letter and supports efforts to demonstrate the critical role of nonprofits to our communities' most valued services.

• We were thrilled to welcome our new spring intern, Estelle Smith, last week from the University of Southern Maine! Estelle is a history major and will be helping with digitization, research, and various advocacy efforts. Estelle is particularly interested in the history of relationships between different cultures, especially international relations.

What's on our mind:

• Like our colleagues around the country, we continue to monitor the sweeping changes being implemented by the federal government. This rash course of action could threaten funding, staff, policies, and protections for the nation's historic resources. As more information becomes available, we will communicate action you can take to advocate for historic preservation.

February 7, 2025

Updates on our recent advocacy efforts:

• On January 6th, GPL welcomed its new Director of Advocacy, Alison Frazee, joining us from Boston where she led advocacy efforts at the Boston Preservation Alliance for over a decade. Connect with Alison on LinkedIn, email her (afrazee@portlandlandmarks.org), or call if you have any questions about GPL's advocacy work: 207.358.7061

• Alison and Executive Director Kate Lemos McHale attended the January 8th Portland Historic Preservation Board meeting and spoke in support of two efforts: the Waynflete School application for new construction in the West End historic district and the recommendation to the ME Historic Preservation Commission to list the Western Cemetery at 6 Vaughan Street to the National Register of Historic Places. GPL also submitted a letter in support of listing the Western Cemetery (Can we link PDFs on the website?). Learn more about the inspiring work of the dedicated volunteers who are restoring and protecting Western Cemetery: Stewards of the Western Cemetery. 

• On January 27th, Alison attended a public meeting for a presentation by Mile Marker Investments and Live Nation Entertainment about a new proposal to construct a 65,00+ square foot performance venue across from Merrill Auditorium in downtown Portland. The 3,310 seat venue will host musical acts and comedians, according to the project team. While the proposal includes interior parking for tour buses and loading, it does not include visitor parking, which was one of the major concern of the meeting's attendees. GPL is reviewing this proposal and will connect with the project team, abutters to the site, and our partners in historic sites that host performing arts events to learn more about concerns and opportunities for this proposal. Read more about the proposal here. 

• GPL is aiding the Portland Masonic to plan renovation and restoration efforts. Built in 1911 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Portland Masonic is home to several active Masonic organizations dating back to the 18th century and has beautiful interior gathering spaces. With proactive maintenance and sensitive upgrades, this historic resource will continue to serve the region for generations to come. 

What's on our mind:

• GPL is currently deeply engaged in a robust strategic planning initiative: we're analyzing our role in greater Portland over the last 60 years, the changing landscape of preservation nationally, and how we can position ourselves best serve our communities moving forward, and to play a leading and sustainable role in advancing historic preservation. Though we're proud of successes, we know that not all of our past efforts have reflected the complete history of the area and have left important stories untold, so we're focused on doing better. We're also thinking about a new definition of historic preservation beyond bricks and mortar. Stay tuned for updates on this process and, in the meantime, let us know what you think about our work. Email Alison Frazee at afrazee@portlandlandmarks.org

• Alison is getting up to speed on ReCode Portland. One area of focus is the removal of the "100' rule" that gave the City’s Historic Preservation Board advisory review over projects within 100' of a designated historic resource. This has already led to some confusion and concerns about how new development adjacent to designated sites will reflect historic contexts. GPL is considering how we might play an effective role in this kind of review and discussion, especially through education and awareness within early stages of project development. While we welcome new development in Portland and creative design expression, we also want to ensure that Portland retains its unique sense of place that draws residents and visitors from around the world. 

• With the growing demand for housing in Portland, and changes in the zoning code to allow for more development, it's possible taller buildings will be proposed than have been typical in the past. We've been thinking about height in the context of historic resources; what are the real and perceived impacts of tall buildings? How can we mitigate those impacts while allowing for vertical growth? What does the idea of "vertical urban sprawl" mean and how can we promote necessary growth and avoid the unintended consequences of height experienced in other cities?  What role does reuse of existing buildings for affordable housing play compared to the construction of new housing towers and where we can find inspiration, such as London's new 'retrofit first' policy? How can we encourage deconstruction over mechanical demolition, like Boulder? Follow along as we explore these topics in this blog, on social media, in our newsletter, and other communication. 

• With the recent freeze on federal funding that impacted many of our colleagues at historic sites and organizations around the country, we wanted to let our community know that GPL is not currently relying on federal funding. We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing generosity of our local support. (To learn more about the ways you can support landmarks, click here.)
  We’re mindful that important projects we have in the pipeline could involve federal funding and we are monitoring the situation carefully. We are committed to building new connections and partnerships while remaining devoted to uncovering histories that have gone untold, uplifting stories that illuminate the full picture of our diverse past, and working to protect the places that reflect our shared American experience. We look forward to sharing previous research that has not yet been publicized, and we are considering new initiatives to better connect with residents, so stay tuned as we work through our strategic planning process to determine how we can best serve our community during these uncertain times.