142 Free Street: Last week, the Portland Museum of Art completed the demolition of the historic building. (For background on this issue and GPL’s efforts, please see our website). After the site is cleared of debris, it will remain empty until next spring when PMA has announced it will open a private pocket park for museum events. PMA had promised the city and the community that it would not move forward with demolition before the expansion project, which includes a major new wing and changes to the landmark-classified Payson Wing, is approved. At this time, PMA has not offered a timeline for their new building, which remains underfunded, including when the proposed project will be submitted to the City for major site plan review and Historic Preservation Board approval within the Congress Street Historic District. Because the ordinance allows demolition of buildings in historic districts before designs are approved for what will replace them, we have no way to reverse what has happened should PMA change their plans due to funding or other considerations. GPL will continue to pursue avenues to change the policy and process that led to this historic loss.
Photo Credit: David Gaines, 2023
Music Hall: The Planning Board did not reconsider a vote to table the application as requested by the applicant of the proposed Music Hall at the corner of Myrtle and Cumberland. The Board’s review is postponed for the duration of the moratorium on new event venues which could be up to 180 days. This project site, and others on the block, abut the Congress Street Historic District so GPL will continue to monitor the situation and remain engaged.
Advocacy Policy: In light of our newly completed Strategic Plan, which will be debuted at our October 28th Birthday Bash and Awards Celebration, GPL’s Advocacy Committee is updating the organization’s Advocacy Policy. This will guide our decision-making for how and when we engage with various projects and initiatives and stay true to our mission. We are committed to using Portland’s heritage as a catalyst for connection, affordability, and resilience, and engaging with communities to learn from their history, preserve special places, and encourage development that serves and inspires those who live, work, and visit Portland today and in the future.
Maine Deconstruction Network: Alison attended the monthly meeting last week of the Maine Deconstruction Network, a group representing various stakeholders collaborating to bring stronger deconstruction and salvage policies to Maine. In this meeting, we heard from Shawn Wood who was an integral advocate for the first municipal deconstruction policy in the country which was enacted several years ago in Portland, OR. We are excited to continue working with this group and other sustainability advocates to recycle buildings in Maine.
