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| (Gensler image) |
Portland’s new 12-member City Council will have its first adventure in historic preservation when it will be asked in January to allow demolition of a small bungalow dating to 1908 at 118 S.W. Porter St. in the South Portland Historic District.
Alas, the hearing won’t tell us much the council’s attitudes
about preservation since a decision favoring demolition is essentially assured.
Ukandu, an agency that provides counseling, recreation and social services to
families with children suffering from cancer, plans to build a two-story
addition on the site.
“Losing it is a cut,” said Andrew Smith, commission
chairman. “Districts die by a thousand cuts.” But he agreed with others that the merit of
Ukandu’s proposal outweighed the significance of the 936-square foot bungalow.
In a detailed report to the landmarks body, Gensler/Portland, an architecture firm working on Ukandu’s expansion, said cost for moving the bungalow to a new location would cost about $1 million. In addition, the small structure that has been used as an office for the past 40 years is not in good condition and no nearby site is available.
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| Proposed brick building on right would replace bungalow (Gensler) |
The new building replacing it would be connected to u existing location at 3015 S.W. First Ave. A final design for the brick-faced addition will be offered for Landmarks Commission consideration for at some future date. Commissioner Maya Foty urged the designers to find historic design models from within the district as inspiration for window and door treatments to enliven the Porter Street frontage.
---Fred Leeson
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