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Photo / Maureen Milliken
The Oakhurst Dairy building, at 364 Forest Ave., is one of 17 buildings on the Portland street being considered for historic landmark designation.
Historic landmark designation for 17 buildings on Forest Avenue will go to the Portland City Council for a final determination after unanimous approval this week by the city's Historic Preservation Board.
The decision came despite several property owners telling the board they didn't want the designation for their buildings, and felt it would restrict development and make them hard to sell. Many owners argued that the buildings aren't historic.
But others advocated for the benefits of historic preservation, saying it spurs economic development and creates jobs. Among those speaking in favor were representatives for Friends of Woodfords Corner and Greater Portland Landmarks.
The board agreed that the buildings, many representative of the emerging auto industry in the early 20th century, met the minimum requirements for landmark designation under the city's land use code. The buildings' merits under the code were discussed separately, then all were sent to the council for final approval.
Some of the buildings also have architectural significance, including 660 Forest Ave., the former Vallee's restaurant, now home to Woodford Food & Beverage, a rare example in the city of mid-century modern style; the Oakhurst Dairy building at 364 Forest Ave., an award-winning example of international style; the art deco former Firestone building at 309 Forest Ave. and the beaux arts former Hinds Laboratory at 331 Forest Ave.
The 17 buildings proposed for historic landmark designation are, including original use and year they were built:
Property owners, or those speaking for them, representing 10 of the buildings told the board Wednesday they objected to the designation. Most of the owners had also spoken at some of the four workshop meetings the board held earlier this year. The board also held an informational meeting July 11 explaining the designation.
Many questioned whether the buildings are historic.
"There's simply nothing about this building that cries out for preservation," said a representative of the owners of 331 Forest Ave., which preservationists said is an example of beaux arts architecture and designed by architect John Calvin Stevens.
Sheila Nappi, owner of 495 Forest Ave., which houses Bow Street Beverage, said she found it "fascinating" that those who were advocating for historic preservation of the buildings "don't own the asset."
"They are our asset," she said.
She said when they bought the building in 2017 they were excited about the chance to contribute to economic development in the neighborhood, "but we feel our rights are being infringed upon."
Katie O'Brien, representing Friends of Woodfords Corner, said historic preservation "has a proven track record" for spurring economic development, including creating jobs and greater return on development dollars spent.
Board member Julia Tate said the designation is about more than just architectural merits of the buildings, "but about what they represent."
"Our task is to preserve the fabric of the city's culture," she said.
She said the buildings represent "a huge sea change in the way business was done in our country, the way financing was done in our country with the auto industry in general."
She also said that such designations are being made throughout the country, and designating the buildings "is really not a small thing."
"While all these buildings may seem simple in form, they are really of a high quality, they're dignified in form, they're purpose-built."
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