At Large Candidates
1. Historic Preservation means different things to different people, from preserving significant architecture, to recognizing overlooked history, to maintaining historic neighborhood character, to sustainably reusing existing buildings.
What aspect of historic preservation is most important to you and what is your favorite historic place in Portland?
Jess Falero, https://www.jessforportland.com/
Historic preservation is incredibly special to me. It’s so important for communities to be connected to their history and to have access to the culture that historic buildings and landmarks provide.
I’m originally from Connecticut but fell in love with Portland when I moved here a decade ago, and one of the main things that made Portland immediately feel like home was the culture and preservation of culture. Portland is a beautiful place and future generations deserve to have access to its history.
Ben Grant, https://www.grant4portland.com/
Given those choices, I would favor sustainably reusing existing buildings where it's possible and economical. Picking a "favorite" historic place is tough! I'd say the Portland Observatory stands out, since it is fascinating on the inside, and provides unmatched views from the top - plus my kids love it!
Grayson Lookner, https://lookneratlarge.com/
Portland is a unique place to live because of our history, and our commitment to preserving it for the future. The structures of the city are one component of that, as are the people, communities, and industries that sustained Portland in the past. In order to preserve Portland's cultural heritage, it is not only valuable landmarks that need to be preserved, but also historic industries, like fishing. That means preserving the working waterfront as a working waterfront. Of the threats to preserving our historic structures into the future, climate change and rising seas I think are among the greatest.
Another component of preserving the historic authenticity of Portland that doesn't get talked about much is how we travel within the city. 100 years ago the city was crisscrossed by trolleys and everywhere was thoroughly accessible to pedestrians - today there are huge swathes of the city that are not pedestrian friendly nor are they served by any means of public transit. I feel these are important aspects of keeping Portland's history alive that are usually not talked about.
I lived in Stroudwater for 5 years in the oldest standing building in Portland - the Westbrook house which was constructed in 1734. I have to say that's my favorite historic area in Portland.
Brandon Mazer, https://www.brandonmazer.com/
All of the above as described are important aspects of historic preservation and add to the uniqueness of Portland. While I have many historic places across Portland that I love, I think my favorite is probably the Portland Observatory in my neighborhood of Munjoy Hill. The Observatory is such an iconic structure that is always a stop for friends visiting from out of state.
Jake Viola, https://jakeviola.com/
Our significant architecture tells the story of our City’s past. These structures are Portland’s living history. When I walk through the West End or pass by the Observatory, I imagine what the City must’ve been like when my grandfather grew up here in the 1920s. I’m most interested in preserving significant architecture because it keeps the history of Portland alive.
My favorite historic area in Portland is the Waterfront. I spent a lot of time there as kid because my family was in the commercial fishing industry. While my dad, uncle, and granddad worked on the boats, I played until it was time to go to Becky’s. The Waterfront is an example of preserving history while also allowing the modern economy to flourish.
2. Portland’s Historic Preservation Program was established in 1990 to maintain and enhance the patterns of development that make Portland special. Program staff and the Historic Preservation Board review over 300 development applications a year.
If a historic preservation related issue were to come before you as a City Councilor, how would you educate yourself about it?
Jess Falero
First foremost I would come to you for council on the issue and establish a set of people to seek advisement on all issues relating to historic preservation.
Ben Grant
Like anything else - seek out the interested parties, people who have worked in this space over time, and develop a relationship with key staff. I'll do my homework!
Grayson Lookner
I would have to talk to people who are involved in the program, as well as familiarizing myself with the various reports that come out about trends.
Brandon Mazer
My public service and professional experience have given me an invaluable breadth of knowledge about historic preservation and land use. If elected as a City Councilor, my background will serve me well because I will not have a “learning curve” on what often can be complicated historic preservation related issues and will be able to hit the ground running on day 1.
Jake Viola
I respect process and expert opinions. I would go to program staff and the Historic Preservation Board to learn about the issue. I would read everything published and come prepared with questions so that I fully understand what I am voting on.
3. Portland’s Historic Preservation Program allows the city to be a “certified local government” under the National Historic Preservation Act, meaning income-producing buildings in local historic districts have access to state and federal historic tax credits and state pass-through funding is available to support city staff and various preservation projects across the city.
As a City Councilor, would you support maintaining the city’s status as a certified local government?
Jess Falero
Yes! It’s important for the sustainability of historic preservation efforts.
Ben Grant
Yes.
Grayson Lookner
Yes.
Brandon Mazer
Yes, this is a “no brainer” for all the reasons you list.
Jake Viola
Yes, absolutely.
4. School officials say it would take $130 million over the next two decades to make the necessary improvements at Portland’s high schools and are considering one campus with a new building to serve all high school students. Portland High School is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and Deering High School has been determined by the Maine Historic Preservation Commission to be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
As a city councilor, when it comes to high school consolidation, would you support plans to reuse both historic schools for educational or other uses, like housing, instead of demolition?
Jess Falero
Absolutely, Portland is experiencing a serious housing crisis and is need of affordable housing and housing first programs.
What’s a better way to solve the housing crisis than turning a historic school into affordable units?Ben Grant
I serve on the School Board presently, so I am squarely in the middle of this issue. I support the construction of a new high school - if we can obtain State construction funds. As for the use of the existing buildings, I am in favor of reuse in education or housing.
Grayson Lookner
Absolutely. Demolition is out of the question.
On another note, it is sad to me that Portland is losing so many families that our historic nature as a good place to raise kids is no longer the case. I attribute this mainly to the high cost of living in the city - especially around housing. If we could make Portland accessible to families with kids, I don't believe we would be having the discussion around school consolidation that is currently on the table.
Brandon Mazer
Fortunately or unfortunately, lessons have been learned over the years about pieces of our history being destroyed and lost forever. The greatest example, is the demolition of Union Station in Libbytown which caused an awakening of the public as to the value of preservation but too late to save that incredible building structure. However, it does continue to serve as a reminder as to why demotion is not always the right means to an end as should be the case of the city's two historic high schools (PHS being the second oldest high school in the nation).
Jake Viola
I support preserving both historic schools. I would never support demolition.
5. ReCode Portland is the first rewriting of the City’s Land Use Code in over 50 years. It is about creating a new, unified development code to serve Portland for the 21st century and is designed to better equip the City to address needs in areas such as housing, design, preservation, conservation, the working waterfront, energy, and transportation.
Have you been engaged with the ReCode process? What is your opinion on its effectiveness to advance and balance the goals of the city’s comprehensive plan?
Jess Falero
I’ve been loosely following the recode process but am close with some of the people who have been working hard in this issue.
Through different housing projects I’ve tried to work on in the city the barrier we always come across is zoning issues.Ben Grant
I have followed it through the press and through knowledgeable friends and colleagues in Portland. I view it as an important tool in getting ahead of the curve regarding our housing and affordability crisis. Like any major policy change, I am sure there will be some rough edges - so the Council must maintain vigilance in the coming years to make sure we are doing right by Portland with these changes.
Grayson Lookner
I think it's great that the recode mentions "establishing clear thresholds for administrative and Historic Preservation Board review." That clarify the process and make sure that when big issues come up, that there are agreed upon standards.
I am in favor of expanding higher-density housing into zones that are currently not being used for housing, and that (to my knowledge) do not possess a tremendous amount of historic value, such as out along Riverside Street, Forest Ave, and Marginal Way. This seems to me to be the best way to create the housing we need without sacrificing our historic landmarks.
Brandon Mazer
As a member of the Planning Board I have been very engaged in the ReCode Process. It is currently entering the last stages for a final red-lined document which will go back to the Planning Board for review and ultimately, a vote. Then it moves forward to the City Council. Of course, it goes with saying that “balance” is the goal in the final version which we have not seen yet nor has the public.
Jake Viola
I have eagerly followed the ReCode process. I am encouraged by the recent increase in public input into the process. It is past time for the City to have a streamlined, consistent building code that addresses the need for housing growth and density while preserving the historic character of our neighborhoods.
6. The City’s September 2023 report, Trends in Portland’s Historic District’s (attached), compared trends in historic districts, the peninsula, and the city across a number of different measures. (attach report in email to candidates) The Trends study found historic districts on average have a much higher housing density per square mile than both the City overall and elsewhere on the peninsula. While the City’s major transportation corridors historically were denser than today with a broader mix of residences and local businesses, mid-20th century zoning promoted more car-centric development.
As a City Councilor would you support new land use policies and design standards that encourage the creation of higher density developments on underutilized lots to re-knit the fabric of our neighborhoods and enliven the city’s major corridors throughout the city?
Jess Falero
I would love to learn more about this!
Ben Grant
Yes. You say "underutilized" - whereas I say "misused." We need to be more aggressive moving in the direction suggested here by the question.
Grayson Lookner
Yes! See above. In order to facilitate the development we need in those areas, we need to make investments to make those areas walkable and livable, however. This will need to include accessibility to public transit, and mixed-use spaces that are pedestrian friendly.
Brandon Mazer
As I mention above, we are still awaiting the final draft of ReCode, but it is important that the policies and standards find a balance between increased density with respecting the fabric of individual neighborhoods that makes Portland so special.
Jake Viola
Yes.
7. The cultural spaces and historic buildings which many people feel define Portland are increasingly at risk to climate change and global warming. The Trends study found that renovation versus demolition and new construction lowers the use of new carbon-intensive building materials and significantly reduces the amount of material sent to landfills.
As a City Councilor how do you plan to support Portland’s climate action goals?
Jess Falero
In 2019 I was a part of Maine Youth For Climate Justice which pushed through the commitment to net zero emissions throughout the city by 2030. I believe climate change is one of Portlands biggest threats and it endangers the lives of the people who contribute to Portland historic working waterfront.
Ben Grant
Follow the science and the experts. I'm a labor lawyer, so I don't know what goes into making a building resilient. But, I know enough to find the people who do! Kidding aside, we need to keep working on expanding public transportation, efficient City buildings, and reducing pollution (see: eliminating the West End/Fore River coal pile).
Grayson Lookner
I'm a big supporter of the One Climate Future plan. I've been working on enacting different sources of revenue to fortify our coastal infrastructure to more intense flooding and storms, such as enacting fees on high-emissions users of the city's waterfront, like cruise ships and megayachts, that contribute disproportionately to climate change, but do not do their fair share to foot the bill when it comes to making those infrastructure upgrades.
Brandon Mazer
Mayor Mark Dion stated it best when he said, “Portland's future depends on a healthy environment which benefits nature, people and our way of life now and for future generations.”
I wholeheartedly join with the Mayor and the city for giving this “very basis of life” issue a high priority with support for the goals of the city's One Climate Future Plan.Jake Viola
We have so many historic treasures along the waterfront and they are susceptible to climate change. While we all recognize that climate change is a collective action problem and we’ll need to work with state and federal partners to achieve our goals, I will always search for opportunities for Portland to lead. Re-use of our historic buildings – pre-1940 that don’t rely on fossil fuels to survive – rather than new construction is one such area where Portland can lead and set an example.
8. Less than 10% of the city's land area is in historic districts, yet Portland's national identity is strongly associated with our historic buildings and neighborhoods.
How much importance do you place on Portland's historic preservation programs and their role in shaping the City’s future?
Jess Falero
I think preservation is incredibly important, and there’s many ways to preserve history and also solve local crisis. We just need to think outside the box and be resourceful.
Ben Grant
I hold it in balance with other needs. We should preserve what gives Portland its character, but also be open to new things that help us meet our needs. So long as there are fair and open processes - and rules that everyone understands and abides, I am confident we as a City can reach that balance.
Grayson Lookner
I think it's tremendously important. Portland has changed dramatically in the 12 years I've been here, and even more so since the early 90s when I first came here from Camden to go to the Civic Center. I don't want to see our history and heritage fall victim to material progress. It is also important for me to that what makes our city what it is - our working communities, working families, and creative communities, can afford to remain in the city. Portland should be a place where our diverse people still remain invested in the whole. I want to preserve Portland's small town appeal while addressing our big city problems. I believe we can do both.
Brandon Mazer
First let me say, we owe a great debt of gratitude to former Mayor Pam Plumb for sponsoring and garnering council support for the Historic Preservation Ordinance during her tenure. It served and continues to serve as an important basis for preserving the connection to the city's past and its rich cultural history. Its importance cannot be understated as to the significance role it played in shaping the city as we know it today and into the future. It was also disappointing to me that a majority of the current Council seemingly ignored our ordinance and the recommendation of both the Historic Preservation Board and the Planning Board when it voted to remove the former Children’s Museum as a contributing building in the Congress Street Historic District.
Jake Viola
It is so important to learn from the mistakes of the past – like the demolition of Union Station – and recognize that once our historic buildings and neighborhoods are gone, they are gone forever. We must preserve that which makes Portland, well, Portland. We can reuse historic buildings for different purposes, and we should adapt as we face new needs, but we should incorporate this history into our future so that we never lose our identity.