Answer extracted from the The Boulos Beat: A Commercial Real Estate Podcast podcast — listen to the full episode below.
What triggered the founding of Greater Portland Landmarks in 1964?
Greater Portland Landmarks was founded in 1964 as a direct response to the 1961 demolition of Union Station, the city's iconic transportation hub. A passionate group of community members who had fought to save the building were galvanized by the sight of its clock tower collapsing, and this loss crystallized their commitment to historic preservation.
Union Station had been a major landmark and transportation center for Portland, serving the community for decades. Its destruction wasn't simply an isolated incident—it represented a broader wave of demolition that would reshape the city's neighborhoods. The visible, dramatic collapse of the station's distinctive clock tower made an indelible impression on those who witnessed it, underscoring the fragility of Portland's architectural heritage.
This moment of loss transformed individual concern into organized action, as discussed in the podcast, the advocates who had protested Union Station's fate resolved to create an institution dedicated to preventing such losses in the future. The formation of Greater Portland Landmarks in 1964 thus became a turning point, establishing a formal mechanism for historic preservation in southern Maine.
The organization emerged at a crucial moment in Portland's history. As Julie Gondzar, the current Director of Development, explains in the episode, urban renewal in the 1960s and 1970s removed thousands of homes from neighborhoods like Bayside and Munjoy Hill. Without an organized preservation voice, countless other landmarks were at risk.
The founding represented more than nostalgia—it was a recognition that the podcast explores in depth, community buildings embody Portland's identity as a working port city with deep maritime roots and distinctive architecture worth protecting for future generations.
Julie Gondzar — Director of Development, Greater Portland Landmarks. Julie joined Greater Portland Landmarks in January 2025 after relocating from Wyoming, where she had built extensive experience in both public and private sectors, including work in science, water management, and nonprofit development. Originally from New England with roots in Scarborough and Portland, she holds a master's degree from Plymouth State University and co-founded Snowy Elk Coffee Company with her husband in 2017, an award-winning specialty coffee roastery in Cheyenne.
How urban renewal accelerated the preservation movement
The 1960s and 1970s were turbulent decades for Portland's neighborhoods. Urban renewal initiatives swept through the city, erasing thousands of homes and fundamentally altering the urban landscape. Entire neighborhoods like Bayside and Munjoy Hill were transformed, with little regard for the historical and cultural significance of what was being lost.
This broader context gave Greater Portland Landmarks an urgent mission. What began as a reaction to one building's destruction evolved into a comprehensive effort to identify, document, and advocate for the preservation of Portland's most important structures and neighborhoods.
See also
How can specialty beverage businesses leverage outdoor lifestyle branding to build national distribution?
Snowy Elk Coffee Company was inspired by a passion for outdoor adventure, including fly fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping. The brand was designed to reflect this lifestyle and build meaningful connections with consumers who share those values.
What factors drive professionals to transition from business ownership in the private sector to nonprofit leadership roles?
Julie sought a new career path after years in business and was anxious to step into the nonprofit world. Her background naturally led her to development, driven by a desire to support preservation action in southern Maine and build meaningful community connections.
Key takeaways
- Greater Portland Landmarks was founded in 1964 directly following the 1961 demolition of Union Station, Portland's historic transportation hub.
- The visible collapse of Union Station's clock tower galvanized community members who had fought to save the building, crystallizing their commitment to preservation.
- Urban renewal in the 1960s and 1970s removed thousands of homes from Portland neighborhoods, giving Greater Portland Landmarks an urgent mission to protect remaining historic structures.
- The organization emerged as a formal mechanism to preserve Portland's maritime heritage, working port identity, and distinctive architecture for future generations.