Local Advocacy -
1- Portland Museum of Art:
After hastily razing the historic building at 142 Free Street in September, the Portland Museum of Art has announced acquisition of a substantial amount of property adjacent to it, allowing an expanded campus. As always, GPL fully supports a thriving cultural and arts community in downtown Portland, and the museum’s desire to create more gallery and community space. In conversations with PMA leadership, GPL has suggested a number of alternatives to demolition of the historic building that would still allow for the museum’s programmatic needs, including purchase of the abutting parking lots, and were told that there were no other viable alternatives. The museum successfully petitioned City Council to change the status of the building to noncontributing, while promising not to demolish it until receiving approval for the planned new wing that would replace it.
We urged PMA to keep that promise in the event that circumstances changed allowing for the incorporation of the building into their plans. However, nothing in the law required them to do so, and the building was demolished mere months before circumstances have dramatically changed what is possible on the site. An exciting, creative, and more sustainable integration of new and old could have been achieved here. Because circumstances change in project timelines, we advocate that our ordinance would be improved by requiring approval for what would replace a building in a historic district before it is demolished, especially one of prominence in a historic streetscape. And we urge the PMA, now that news of this acquisition is public, to engage the community in open and honest conversations about their future plans for their campus expansion.
2- Design Manual:
Portland’s Historic Preservation Board reviewed another round of updates to the draft Historic Resources Design Manual for historic properties on October 19th. This new guide will aid property owners applying for changes to their sites. GPL staff has provided feedback during this process and will continue to review updates. The full draft document will be made available for public comment in the coming weeks. This guide will be an illustrative resource for all and we applaud the staff and Board for dedicating a significant amount of time to its creation.
3 - Old Port Sq.:
The proposed tower by East Brown Cow at 45 Union Street, which would be the tallest building in all of Maine, is expected to go to the Portland Planning Board for a final hearing on December 9th. Read more about our current position and see additional images and information about the proposal here.
4- Historic Preservation Board:
GPL would like to thank two members of the City’s Historic Preservation Board who are coming off the Board this month- Robert O’Brien who has been serving on the Board since February of 2017 and Brian Sosebee who served since January of 2023. Their time and expertise have been much appreciated! We hope to continue to collaborate with both in other capacities.
State and Regional Advocacy -
1- LD 435-An Act to Expand the Historic Property Rehabilitation Tax Credit: We join an effort sponsored by our colleagues at Maine Preservation and MEREDA, and a coalition of statewide advocates and investors for affordable housing, smart growth, and community development to push for legislation that expands the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit (HRTC) program by: making the program permanent by eliminating the sunset provision; improving the credit so that it works for smaller commercial buildings across Maine; and creating a homeowner tax credit. These changes would help preserve historic places for vibrant uses and boost local economies. Click here for more information from Maine Preservation and please reach out to learn more about this important legislation and how to help.
2- Northeast Preservation Advocates: GPL Director of Advocacy Alison Frazee joined a meeting in Portsmouth, NH for a new regional group of preservation advocates. Attendees shared updates about their organizations and advice for programs and advocacy efforts. We look forward to building stronger relationships with our colleagues across New England!
National Advocacy -
1- Call to Action: On November 14th a coalition of preservation advocates in Washington, D.C. filed suit against President Trump, the General Services Administration, and the National Park Service to prevent damage to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) in response to President Trump’s plans to paint the historic granite building white. Evidence was presented to the court that painting the building’s polished granite and porous slate surfaces will trap moisture and deteriorate the building, among other irreversible damages. In response, the Administration agreed to pause until the end of the year. The EEOB is subject to legal protections that apply to the Nation’s historic properties. An injunction does not guarantee that the President refrains from altering the building.
Here is how you can help:
a. Sign this petition opposing changes to the building without completing the required reviews.
b. If you or someone you know is an expert in architectural history, landscape architecture, or masonry, sign up (or share the link) to provide historical expertise.
c. Contact your Congressional representatives to explain that painting a historically unpainted building is harmful, the integrity of historic buildings and districts matters to how we and future generations experience historic places, and how, given the prominence and significance of this building, this decision has ripple effects for historic places across the Nation.
d. Read the lawsuit and find more information here.
2- Protecting a Powerful Preservation Tool: The Senate’s hearing at the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on October 29th elevated the concern in the preservation community that a critical tool called “Section 106” (which requires federal agencies to consider effects on historic properties) might be restricted or even eliminated. The National Trust for Historic Preservation hosted a webinar to explain possible outcomings from the hearing and next steps. GPL Director of Advocacy Alison Frazee attended this webinar to remain apprised of ongoing actions. It is anticipated that a large reform bill will be moving through Congress that will propose changes to several areas of permitting, including Section 106 and the National Historic Preservation Act. We will continue to closely monitor these activities, collaborate with partners in Washington D.C., and communicate when there are opportunities to provide input.
