Portland By Land, Portland By Sea: How Transportation Shapes a City: GPL is excited to launch a new exhibit at the Portland Public Library on Congress Street! Discover how Portland’s identity has been carved by how we move around, and how today’s decisions about transportation continue to impact our ability to preserve and celebrate Portland’s unique history. Walk, ride, or float over to take a look! More info here.

National Preservation Slogan: We need your ideas! GPL is collaborating with leading national preservation organizations to select a slogan for use across the country to promote history, historic preservation, and the importance of place. Add your idea or leave a like or comment for another idea by February 15th. The group will select a slogan to unify our voice and message in this important moment in American history. Let us know what resonates with you and be entered to win a preservation-related prize!

Portland Design Manual - feedback requested: Staff at the City’s Historic Preservation Office have revised the Historic Resources Design Manual, the first comprehensive update since 1992. This monumental effort, guided by feedback from the public and the Historic Preservation Board, is now ready for review. This manual provides guidance for property owners of designated landmarks and buildings in local historic districts. We have been actively engaged in this project through its initial drafts and are providing input to the final draft to help ensure it is a successful, easy to use document that supports important preservation goals and an accessible review process. We also encourage you to review the draft and provide feedback or ask questions. Comments accepted through January 31, 2026.

LD435- Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit: Legislation to expand the state’s historic rehabilitation tax credit, a critical tool for investing in historic properties, is back at the state house. LD435 “An Act to Expand the Historic Property Rehabilitation Tax Credit” would accomplish several goals including: increasing the expense limit from $250,000 to $1M which is a more appropriate number for most projects, increasing the base credit from 25% to 30% to improve the benefit, eliminating the sunset clause for the entire program, and introducing a homeowners program for qualifying properties. Maine has some of the oldest housing stock in the country and although the commercial program is very successful, we are of the minority of states that does not have a homeowner historic tax credit program. We have encouraged supporters in the Portland area to submit comment letters and are partnering with Maine Preservation to advocate for the bill with legislators. If you would like to add your voice in support, send Alison your comments in a document or email to be added to the packet.