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Poll results

Sponsored by: OTELCO

Architects, planners and developers have long considered the possibility of constructing new high-rise buildings in Maine's cities. Proponents claim the creation of new office space and housing in an urban core reduces the need for fossil-fuel transportation and revitalizes downtown neighborhoods. Critics often say there are more pressing priorities, or object to the loss of open space.

Portland developer Redfern Properties is proposing an 18-story apartment complex in downtown Portland, a project that's in the early stages but could break ground as soon as September. With Maine's housing shortage not letting up, other development could follow.

Would the construction of new, taller residential or commercial buildings benefit Maine's cities?
Yes (65%, 200 VOTES)
No (35%, 107 VOTES)
Poll Description

Sponsored by: OTELCO

Architects, planners and developers have long considered the possibility of constructing new high-rise buildings in Maine's cities. Proponents claim the creation of new office space and housing in an urban core reduces the need for fossil-fuel transportation and revitalizes downtown neighborhoods. Critics often say there are more pressing priorities, or object to the loss of open space.

Portland developer Redfern Properties is proposing an 18-story apartment complex in downtown Portland, a project that's in the early stages but could break ground as soon as September. With Maine's housing shortage not letting up, other development could follow.

  • 307 Votes
  • 11 Comments
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11 Comments

  • March 17, 2021

    Portland is growing up into a real city and these are the growing pains.

  • March 15, 2021

    If you must build taller, get off the peninsula. Don’t destroy Portland’s charm. Where are they going to park? There is plenty of commercial vacation downtown and it’s going to get worse.

  • March 15, 2021

    Portland needs to make up its mind up what it wants to be. Protecting substantial parts of the city with historical preservation on one hand while promoting taller buildings on the other seems to be in direct conflict. We say we want to keep the waterfront looking like a quaint sailing port while at the same time we build massive office buildings and housing projects on one end.

    Tall buildings or not, we need a little bit less cronyism in the process.

  • March 15, 2021

    It has nothing to do with fossil fuels but much to do with just plain common sense.

  • March 15, 2021

    Stop with the mantra that growth is THE answer. It is NOT the answer, it is the problem! Manhattan island had a few thousand residents 400 years ago, today over 2 million. What did that solve? Nothing!