Photo / Maureen Milliken
330 Forest Ave. is one of 17 buildings on the street and at Woodford's Corners being considered for historic designation.
July 22, 2019
Portland preservation board to rule on historic designation for Forest Avenue buildings
Photo / Maureen Milliken
Oakhurst Dairy, at 364 Forest Ave., is one of 17 buildings on the Portland street being considered for historic designation.
By Maureen Milliken
The Portland Historic Preservation Board Wednesday will consider designating 17 buildings on Forest Avenue between Interstate 295 and Woodford's Corner as historic, a measure proponents say will protect the neighborhood's history and boost economic development.
The nominated buildings, many of them built as car dealerships and restaurants from the early 20th century, record the story of Forest Avenue's development, especially its era as a streetcar line and the decades when it was recognized as Portland's "Auto Row," the committee's proposal says.
The proposal was sent to the board by the planning department, and the City Council must approve any final designation. The preservation board has had several workshops on the plan, and meets at 5 p.m. Wednesday in Room 209 at City Hall to make final recommendations. The board will rule on each property individually.
The move was prompted by the significance of the area as one of the city's earliest and most important transportation corridors. Several of the buildings are eligible for placement on the National Register of Historical Places, and surveys by the Maine Historic Preservation Committee in 2011 and Portland Landmarks in 2015 have highlighted the buildings' importance.
The report also says the buildings have many of the design elements city planners hope to incorporate into new development, including being close to the road, the use of quality materials, architectural interest and large storefronts that attract pedestrian interest and allow views of the street.
The report also says it's been proven in other parts of the city that protecting historic buildings is an effective economic development tool, and can give the area a "competitive edge."
"Studies from across the country have shown that when key landmarks are highlighted and enhanced through sensitive rehabilitation, others are inspired to invest in the area," the report says. "Quality investment stabilizes commercial areas and boosts property values."
Preservation, property development
The oldest of the buildings, the Odd Fellows Hall at 643-651 Forest Ave., was built in 1897. The newest, the former Valle's Sandwich Shop and now Woodford Food & Beverage, at 660 Forest Ave., was built in 1964. Most were built in the first three decades of the 20th century.
Buildings on the list, indicated by their location, use and construction date, include:
- 536 Deering Ave., Engine Company No. 8 Firehouse, 1907;
- 309 Forest Ave., Firestone Auto Supply & Service Store, 1930-31;
- 330 Forest Ave., Van Blarcom Inc. auto garage, 1919;
- 331 Forest Ave., Hinds Laboratory, 1920;
- 343-349 Forest Ave., Miles B. Mank Motor Car Co., 1916-17;
- 355 Forest Ave., L.C. Gilson Automobile Co., 1922;
- 364 Forest Ave., Oakhurst Dairy, 1951-53;
- 495 Forest Ave., Packard Motor Car Co. showroom, 1927;
- 501 Forest Ave., Gleason Chrysler auto dealership, 1927,
- 517 Forest Ave., Clifton R. Shaw auto dealership, 1928;
- 525 Forest Ave., John S. Goff Chevrolet, 1927-28;
- 533 Forest Ave., Studebaker automobile dealership, 1928;
- 617 Forest Ave., Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. store, 1915;
- 630 Forest Ave., Darling-Kidder Motor Car Co., 1917;
- 643-651 Forest Ave., Odd Fellows Block, 1897;
- 646-650 Forest Ave., Chapman Block, 1916; and
- 660 Forest Ave., Valle’s Sandwich Shop, 1964.
Some of the building owners told members of the preservation board at a June 19 meeting that they are against the designation because they want to determine what to do with their property.
City officials met with owners earlier this month to clarify what the designation means. Officials have said buildings can still be developed if they are designated historic, but it will make developers mindful of the history.
“It is fair to say progress has not stalled with designation,” said Jeff Levine, director of planning and urban development, at the meeting. “The idea is not to stop changes, but to make sure historic issues are kept in mind when changes do happen.”
The designation is supported by Portland Landmarks, which says on its website the designation is urgent, given potential redevelopment of the area.
"Forest Avenue was and continues to be a critical transportation corridor connecting the peninsula to Deering’s historic neighborhoods and to suburban communities beyond Portland," Portland Landmarks says.
"Transportation nodes along Forest Avenue are significant economic and community centers for the historic neighborhoods on either side of the corridor. Influenced by the number of cars that travel the corridor, mid to late 20th century land uses led to a physical appearance which is out of character with its historic origins as a street car suburb and with the city’s vision for the its future as a urban mixed-use neighborhood."
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Anonymous
July 26, 2019
The kiss of death for Forest Avenue future development. The City helps us all again ... to stay stagnant and discourage big ideas and change.
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