Portland Museum of Art Expansion | Portland

“For the past year, we have fully committed to an extensive civic process in good faith with the city of Portland, adhering to all regulations, and fully agree with the decision made by the Portland City Council. This appeal questions the judgment of our elected officials and will also impose a significant financial and human resource burden on the city of Portland. The PMA remains committed to our mission of being an open, accessible, inclusive and welcoming museum for everyone.”

This overly paid director might be aggressive and arrogant, but maybe he knows something we don't. Perhaps they have unearthed something like the artifacts they display, something embarrassing about Portland's past with its de facto prejudice against some peoples. I wouldn't mess with him. He's Ivy league and has many Left leaning friends in high places. I do know that the city wanted to bulldoze the Abyssinian House years back, to make way for a gas station. And I'm betting the record with the Wabanaki Indians has some indiscretions too. Face it. Maine has a regretful past with a few ethnic groups, and the director, et al, wants to build a monument to give these people a voice (though ostensible). In the 1920s, Maine had the highest national per capita rate of inclusion in the KKK party. My mom told me this and I didn't believe it until I looked into it myself. GPL could be opening a can of worms with this lawsuit. The museum does acquire photos--it's what they do. Not everything needs to be preserved, and lately we've been seeing some of it come down (The Confederacy). Yes, indeed it could be time to make more popcorn. Maybe it will all be on 60 Minutes one day. It made the Boston Globe a couple of weeks ago.
 
PWMFlyer said:
www.pressherald.com

Judge sides with Portland Museum of Art in lawsuit over expansion plans

The art museum wants to raze it to make way for a sweeping glass-and-timber expansion on that site, but Greater Portland Landmarks filed a lawsuit last year to save the building at 142 Free St.
www.pressherald.com www.pressherald.com
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Denied on both standing and merits (the merits being, essentially, that the Council had every right to make the decision that they did). The article embeds the full text of the ruling.
 
Good news. I'm not a big fan of the new design, but hey, it's something. And where has Greater Portland Landmarks been regarding supporting the Abyssinian House renovation? If you want to discuss historical significance with a building in Portland, the aforementioned clearly matches any. It's hypocritical, their actions. But I know why, if you get me drift.
 
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DanielPWM19 said:
Anything of note? Can't see bc the paywall. Has the design changed?
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No, nothing to do with the design. Landmarks has simply lost their challenge to the demolition of 142 Free St., and are debating whether to appeal to the state Supreme Court.
 
TC_zoid said:
Good news. I'm not a big fan of the new design, but hey, it's something. And where has Greater Portland Landmarks been regarding supporting the Abyssinian House renovation? If you want to discuss historical significance with a building in Portland, the aforementioned clearly matches any. It's hypocritical, their actions, But I know why, if you get me drift.
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I may be wrong, but i don't recall Landmarks ever taking an active role in fundraising to preserve a building, with the possible exception of the Portland Observatory which they manage. Fighting proposed demolitions, yes, as well as cataloging existing structures and supplying their little blue-and-white plaques (I don't know if the building owners have to pay for those TBH), but I don't remember them raising money to maintain or renovate existing historic structures, again, except the city-owned Observatory. That's not their gig. So singling out the Abyssinian Church seems unfair.
 
markhb said:
I may be wrong, but i don't recall Landmarks ever taking an active role in fundraising to preserve a building, with the possible exception of the Portland Observatory which they manage. Fighting proposed demolitions, yes, as well as cataloging existing structures and supplying their little blue-and-white plaques (I don't know if the building owners have to pay for those TBH), but I don't remember them raising money to maintain or renovate existing historic structures, again, except the city-owned Observatory. That's not their gig. So singling out the Abyssinian Church seems unfair.
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The Abyssinian Meetinghouse has been discussed by the city several times over the course of history for demolition. Once it was for a new gas station. Where was GPL then? They are about the preservation of *historical buildings* in Portland, yes? The Abyssinian was literally falling apart and at some point, perhaps from irreversibility (condemned). And so why couldn't they support it with even just words of praise or connections or anything else helpful? After all, they should be concerned as it is their mandate, to preserve or maintain or to at least prevent a demo, like it is now with 142 Free Street. It doesn't have to be about directly raising money. I guess I care more than they do as I've donated money for its renovation. I care. They don't.
 
I'm liking this new mural. Got to raze 142 Free Street and build the new addition and this area is a cool hang again.

Screenshot 2025-04-04 074559.png
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TC_zoid said:
The Abyssinian Meetinghouse has been discussed by the city several times over the course of history for demolition. Once it was for a new gas station. Where was GPL then? They are about the preservation of *historical buildings* in Portland, yes? The Abyssinian was literally falling apart and at some point, perhaps from irreversibility (condemned). And so why couldn't they support it with even just words of praise or connections or anything else helpful? After all, they should be concerned as it is their mandate, to preserve or maintain or to at least prevent a demo, like it is now with 142 Free Street. It doesn't have to be about directly raising money. I guess I care more than they do as I've donated money for its renovation. I care. They don't.
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Though I have NO knowledge regarding GPL's stance or involvement in preserving/restoring the Abyssinian Meeting House, if they were not 150% supportive of that then they have no place being involved in historic p-reservation in Portland at all. That certainly would be hypocritcal on their part in a huge way.
 
GPL has changed over the years and especially when Deb Andrews retired from the role. There was no drama, no politics, it was all about preservation. It was also about giving out plaques to houses/buildings that met the standards. It was an honor to get those on your building. When was the last time that has happened? Not every building is Union Station or Grand Trunk. GPL has been great in advocating preservation over the past 40+ years, and it's shown in Portland. But now it's about pitchforks and torches. The original mission statement has been pushed to the curb. The GPL has turned into the HOA, aka we don't like your color of your house, windows don't match, etc...
 
PWMFlyer said:
The GPL has turned into the HOA, aka we don't like your color of your house, windows don't match, etc...
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I'm not involved with Landmarks, but I wonder how much of what you say here is them, and how much is the city Historic Preservation Committee, which very much seems to be the "there's a smidge too much blue in that paint to be authentic, and by the way you can't keep those awesome carved doors either" squad.

You also refer to "our" plaques; are you involved with GPL?
 
markhb said:
I'm not involved with Landmarks, but I wonder how much of what you say here is them, and how much is the city Historic Preservation Committee, which very much seems to be the "there's a smidge too much blue in that paint to be authentic, and by the way you can't keep those awesome carved doors either" squad.

You also refer to "our" plaques; are you involved with GPL?
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I volunteered for several years back in the 90's, here is the plaque
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And if you look at the hands on the women holding the glasses it's 100% obvious that this "artist" created the design with A.I. (Midjourney, most likely). Getting the hands right with A.I. image creation programs is often a challenge. But you can do it, or if you put more work into it. So, I'm a bit disappointed now because this mural, or by definition, is not art and it's facing the PMA parking lot. But then again, maybe it's a fitting metaphor as to where the world and art is going.
 
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Letter from Portland Landmarks Regarding Lawsuit:
A message for our friends and supporters:

As you know, with broad support and encouragement, Greater Portland Landmarks strongly opposed the City Council order reclassifying 142 Free Street against the recommendations of the Historic Preservation and Planning Boards and filed an appeal of the order in Superior Court. While we disagree with the judge’s recent ruling against our appeal and are deeply disappointed by the outcome of this case, we must move forward in the best way possible for Portland and our community.

We believe our resources are best directed toward ensuring this case remains an isolated incident rather than pursuing further legal action at this time. We do not want to see reclassification via this process become a pattern that threatens decades of work to create and implement a responsible, sustainable approach to historic preservation in Portland. We will work to leverage this moment through outreach, education, programming, and collaboration to build and demonstrate broad public support for historic preservation for Portland’s future.

As we continue to advocate for Portland's historic districts, we do not want this process to lead to the demolition of a prominent historic building leaving a vacant lot without approved plans for redevelopment. That would be a critical flaw in our system and the worst outcome for the community.

We have strongly urged the PMA to consider an approach that incorporates the historic building within a bold new addition. And if not, to at least honor their commitment to the city and the community during the public review process and not demolish 142 Free Street until getting all approvals from the city for their expansion plans. We are glad to have found common ground on plans to preserve and activate the historic Clapp House on their campus, to document and salvage 142 Free Street's architectural elements should it be demolished, and to interpret its history within the museum.

As we well know, the benefits of historic preservation are seen every day in thriving historic districts supporting commercial, cultural, civic, and residential uses in rehabilitated and new buildings. Greater Portland Landmarks is finalizing a new strategic plan committed to advancing these benefits through:
  • Creating a more community-driven preservation vision reflecting the city’s diverse history, priorities, and needs
  • Collaborating with the city on preservation goals in the comprehensive plan and in updates to the design manual
  • Supporting property owners in redeveloping historic district sites without unwarranted reclassification
  • Promoting adaptive reuse that aligns with sustainability and resilience goals to avoid the unnecessary environmental impacts of demolition and replacement of historic buildings.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported our effort through your testimony, letters, encouragement, and donations, to our legal team at Murray Plumb & Murray, and to the National Trust who has provided important guidance.

This process has given voice to so many people passionate about preserving historic character and concerned about protecting our effective preservation ordinance. We remain dedicated to working collaboratively toward ensuring Portland remains a vibrant city for all.
Thank you for your unwavering support.
 
Given the judge's reasoning when he found against them, they had no other realistic choice. Thanks for relaying the news.
 
Portlander said:
It does remind me of Beale Street in Memphis (minus the lobster) but it adds some color to the area and I'm OK with it.
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I agree 100%. "Good" art will make people stop, look, think, discuss, rave, not rave, but generally hang around for a bit. Add a food cart here too. Where did the smores guy go? Loved his cart. Nice guy. Give me some s'more smores.
 
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