I think the city is in a kind of panic state with this incident now, that their draconian subjective idea of what is historically appropriate or necessary could be culturally inappropriate. Face it. The Old Port harkens back to an era when everyone in Portland (and Maine) looked and acted within narrow boundaries. To this day, I still find the city's ignorance and disrespect to the importance of the Abyssinian Meeting House startling. Go to Papi during an evening on the weekend. It will transport you to another place, something not seen in Maine--ever. It's not just the food, drink, and decor. The staff are young, attractive, effusively friendly, and Hispanic. There is a little cubby hole table in the back that is a photographic moment if I've ever seen one. Joshua Miranda of Blyth & Burrows was key in the supervision of the design of this restaurant. He understands the importance of history as much or more than anyone. The front doors of Papi are effective in the architecture of this entire design because it's the first impression before entering. Portland is changing, and we should be working to assist those that have new ideas instead of forcing a continuance of the old. The Old Port is derivative in architectural style of Victorian England, when buildings were built primarily with granite and stone and everything was dark in color because they burned coal for energy back then, and the resulting soot then blanketed the buildings. It wasn't until the 1970s that the buildings in London finally became soot free due to extensive cleanings. They were allowed to clean the soot from the buildings due to the Clean Air Act of 1956. So, much of the Old Port's derivative look and feel is due to burning coal, a fossil fuel! Maybe it all simply needs a good power wash (metaphor). Lol.
