Construction is underway at the St. Joseph's Motherhouse!

In December the Maine Supreme Judicial Court found the City Council had acted within their authority to rezone the parcel behind the Motherhouse to allow for higher density. In March the 1909 Convent and 1862 Academy buildings that comprise the Motherhouse were listed on the National Register of Historic Places. That same month the project received additional city funding support through the reallocation of federal funds from another project currently on hold. 

Quietly work has begun on demolition of the buildings' interiors. Crews have been carefully removing and labeling interior woodwork that will be reinstalled after new insulation and mechanical and electrical systems are installed. On June 22 a ground breaking ceremony was held to kick-off the project's rehabilitation. Representatives from the Maine Girls' Academy (formerly Catherine McAuley High School) and the City of Portland helped Developers Collaborative and Sea Coast Management celebrate the official start of the rehabilitation of this significant local landmark.

Landmarks was delighted to help celebrate this first step in the building's new purpose. We congratulate all involved in helping to save these two historic buildings and provide affordable senior housing in Portland. 

Places in Peril

Since 2012 Greater Portland Landmarks has highlighted buildings and sites throughout Greater Portland that are threatened by demolition, redevelopment, or neglect. 

This year's nominations for our Places in Peril program are due Friday, June 23rd. More information is available on how to nominate a property here. 

Prior Places in Peril nominees have included House Island, the Grand Trunk Railroad Office Building, Sacred Heart Church, Fort Gorges, and Lincoln Park in Portland as well as South Portland's Maine State Armory Building. The Armory Building and the Grand Trunk Railroad Office Building were successfully rehabilitated this year.

The Armory now houses a convenience store, gas station and karate studio while the railroad building is now home to offices for Gorham Savings Bank. House Island was protected as a historic district by the City of Portland in 2015. Sacred Heart Church, an important cultural and religious center in the Parkside neighborhood, was able to surpass its fundraising goals to restore the church's copper roof and bell tower in 2016 after being named a Place in Peril in 2015. 

Work is ongoing at two current Places in Peril. Construction is underway in Lincoln Park to replace the crumbling sidewalks and restore the park's central fountain. Next year the city has budgeted for the perimeter fence to be restored. Out in the harbor, Fort Gorges will also be a construction site this summer as the Army Corps of Engineers undertakes some safety improvements. The city's consultant is currently preparing a historic preservation plan for the fort's structural stabilization and island improvements that should be released later this summer. 

Greater Portland Landmarks' Places in Peril program has successfully served as a catalyst for adaptive reuse and community revitalization. We continue to work to bring attention to other vulnerable sites on our list.  If you know of a endangered property or site that should be featured by Landmarks, let us know!

City presents plans for "Portland Landing"

In late May the City unveiled plans for a new waterfront park. The City has been working with Stantec Engineering to create a plan to redevelop the Amethyst Parking Lot between Ocean Gateway and the Portland Company on Thames Street. The open space would enhance public access to the waterfront and create a park space in the India Street neighborhood, a neighborhood seeing rapid growth and redevelopment. 

The slideshow from the May public forum is now available online. For updates on the proposed park, visit the city's website.

Comment now on proposed art for Congress Square Park

Shattered Sphere, Sze Studio

Artist Sarah Sze has proposed three options for a proposed sculpture in Congress Square Park. The three options are now available online. Each option consists of three pieces of diminishing size that would be installed within the park. The Portland Public Art Committee will meet on Wednesday, May 17 at 4:30PM to discuss the three options with the artist and to accept public comment. If you can't attend the meeting, public comment will be accepted online for one week following the meeting. For more information contact Caitlin Cameron.

Public Forum: Fort Gorges Preservation Plan

On May 10th at 5:30PM in the Merrill Auditorium Rehearsal Room, the City of Portland will hold a public forum on Fort Gorges. The City will explain what will be happening on the island this summer as the Army Corps of Engineers begins work on some safety improvements at the fort and will talk about the preservation planning process. The City is funding a preservation plan with help from Friends of Fort Gorges, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Maine Historic Preservation Commission.

Portland Planning Board Public Hearing on new City Comprehensive Plan

The Draft Land Use Plan identifies target areas in the city for change or evaluation in the next decade. Map Courtesy of the City of Portland Planning Department

The City of Portland will hold another public hearing on Thursday, April 13th at 6PM to take public comment on the draft comprehensive plan. It is expected that the plan, with some possible minor modifications, will be forwarded to the City Council and presented in a council workshop on Monday, April 24th at 5PM.

Greater Portland Landmarks' staff and supporters have participated in public forums, workshops, and hearings  as well as several meetings with city staff during the comprehensive plan's development. Our goal has been to insure that the plan reflects the incalculable contribution Portland's authentic sense of place makes to our city's economic, social, and cultural vitality. 

Learn more about Greater Portland Landmarks comments on the draft Comprehensive Plan here. 

Portland unveils new design for Congress Square Park

On March 16th the City held a public meeting to update the community on the progress of the new Congress Square design. Details on the plan, activities, and materials are available on the city's website. Comments on the plan will be accepted through March 24th.