Bye, Bye Bungalow

Dec. 2, 2024

By Fred Leeson

(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.

A four-member panel of the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission took the unusual step of supporting the demolition proposal at a hearing Nov. 25.  All four agreed that the valuable service provided by Ukandu outweighed preservation of what one called “a ho-hum bungalow” offering little architectural or historic significance the South Portland district.

The landmarks commission has a history of trying to protect contributing elements in historic district from demolition.  The bungalow proved to be an exception. 

“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.

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 is a former president of the Bosco-Milligan Foundation and a member of the foundation's Board of Advisors.