🔒Portland extends moratorium on proposed music hall
Mile Marker Investment's proposed site for the Portland Music Hall, at 244 Cumberland Ave., at the corner of Myrtle Street (across the street from Merrill Auditorium). The front of the music hall would be situated approximately where the snow banks are. PHOTO / PETER VAN ALLEN
Portland City Council has extended the moratorium on the construction of new large performance venues in the downtown district for another 180 days — further stalling development of the controversial Portland Music Hall.
Portland City Council voted unanimously Monday night for an emergency extension of the 180-day moratorium on the construction of new large performance venues in the downtown district — adding another six months, and further stalling a decision on the proposed Portland Music Hall.
The project, by Scarborough-based Mile Marker Investments with partner Live Nation Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: LYV), calls for a 66,000-square-foot concert hall that would seat 3,300 people.
City Council's intent was to buy the city more time to consider concerns over traffic congestion and public safety with the project, which would be at 244 Cumberland Ave., across one-way Myrtle Street from Merrill Auditorium.
Some residents and council members have said the venue would be too close to the 1,900-seat Merrill Auditorium, predicting problems with traffic, parking and access for emergency vehicles.
In response, council member Wesley Pelletier, who represents District 2, earlier this month proposed a 750-foot “entertainment buffer zone” on the peninsula for venues with a capacity over 1,000. If approved by the city, the buffer zone would rule out such a venue at the proposed location.
Pelletier’s draft was reviewed by the council’s Housing and Economic Development Committee on Feb. 3 and will be considered by the Portland Planning Board. The committee also sent to the planning board an alternate proposal for a 250-foot buffer zone, which would accommodate an adjusted location for the Mile Marker project.
The planning board is expected to review the two proposals and make a recommendation to the council this spring.
Mile Marker Investments' proposed 3,300-capacity music venue would be built at 244 Cumberland Ave. in Portland. RENDERING/ COURTESY OF MILE MARKER INVESTMENTS
Developer's response
Todd Goldenfarb, managing partner of Mile Marker Investments, spoke during the public comment session at Monday night’s council meeting, reiterating what he and his lawyers have said multiple times.
“Portland Music Hall does not ask for one variance or one public dollar and is 100% in compliance with the code," he said in the meeting, which was held via Zoom.
Goldenfarb cited both a study by the city’s planning department that concluded a buffer zone was not necessary, and an April 2025 study by Oxford Economics projecting an economic impact of $44 million, up to 500 new jobs and $2.7 million a year in state and local taxes.
Goldenfarb said the approval process has been less than transparent and inconsistent. He urged City Council to “stop this unfair targeting and end the moratorium.”
Council member Regina Phillips, who represents District 3, urged colleagues Monday night to support a shorter moratorium period.
“It truly is time for us to figure this out and move on; this has been on our books for 13 months. I do support the moratorium, but another 180 days is too long," Phillips said.
The earliest council is expected to vote on the buffer zones would be late April, at which point councilors could also vote to shorten the moratorium period from its new end point in September.
