Greater Portland Landmarks has announced its annual Preservation Awards, which are designed to honor a variety of people, restoration projects, rehabilitation projects and adaptive reuse projects in the region.
In the category of Preservation Leaders, the restoration and relocation of the Danish Village Arch in Scarborough and the redevelopment of an historic schoolhouse into the Meetinghouse Lofts in South Portland were both honored
“The substantial number of quality nominations demonstrates the community’s continued commitment to honoring the history of its landscapes and architecture. Everyone benefits from these types of projects that maintain the authentic character of the region,” Julie Ann Larry, the director of advocacy at Landmarks, said about this year’s winners.
According to a press release from Landmarks, “The goal of the awards is to inspire communities to actively engage in the preservation of the great history and material culture that makes the Portland area a treasured place with a high quality of life.”
The 19-unit Meetinghouse Lofts was developed Ethan Boxer-Macombe. The project includes five one-bedroom units and 14 two-bedroom units. In December 2013, the city agreed to sell the former Roosevelt School to Boxer-Macomber’s company, Anew Development, for $218,500, which was significantly less than the $738,300 assessed value, but it was believed the deal would likely generate at least $522,500 in property taxes in the next 10 years.
The Roosevelt School was built in 1927 by noted architect John Calvin Stevens and served the city as an elementary school until 1983.
The arch is the only remaining artifact from the Danish Village, which was built between Oak Hill and Dunstan in the 1930s. Danish Village was one of the first hotel and restaurant complexes dedicated to serving the motoring public and was designed to reflect the architecture of the village of Ribe in Denmark.
Landmarks invited the public to nominate any historic property or landscape that has been restored, rehabilitated, undergone sensitive new construction or been adapted to a modern use between Jan. 1, 2013, and June 30, 2016.
In addition, people, organizations or programs that have strived to educate and advocate for the cultural heritage of the greater Portland area were also eligible for preservation awards.
The awards will be presented at the annual meeting of Landmarks, Wednesday, Sept. 28, at the Maine Irish Heritage Center in Portland. The meeting is open to the public. Call 774-5561 or go online to www.portlandlandmarks.org for more information.
– Kate Irish Collins
The newly restored Danish Village Arch is now located at Memorial Park in Scarborough’s Oak Hil neighborhood.
The former Roosevelt School in South Portland was redeveloped into condos.
The condo units on the back side of the former Roosevelt School in South Portland, at left, all offer balconies. The newly restored Danish Village Arch is now located at Memorial Park in Scarborough’s Oak Hill neighborhood.
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