(Past) Portland Leviathan

Conference on the Past, Present, & Future of Interstate 295

Thursday June 20th, 2024 from 5:30-8:30

Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine: 1342 Congress Street, Portland Maine, 04102

In the 20th century, cities across America were scarred by urban highways – and Portland Maine is no exception. Just as elsewhere, I-295 was routed through underserved neighborhoods and communities of color permanently altering the city's landscape. During this time, the city also experienced the destruction of the iconic Union Station, the demolition of a thriving housing corporation, and the eradication of Maine's largest African American community at the time.

Today, Portlanders are working to undo the damage and restore our city. Many citizen campaigns have centered around reckoning with the legacy of I-295, by advocating for the restoration of a walkable human scale city and the corollary benefits of environmental justice, economic development, vibrancy, and beauty.

The efforts have been largely supported by the city government, which is seeking two Reconnecting Communities grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation to repair the neighborhood fabric at Franklin Street and at exit 5. However, as advocates work along the margins, the root problem, I-295 itself, is often regarded as eternal and immutable.

Portland Leviathan 2024 will look beyond isolated projects to envision a bolder, better future for the I-295 corridor and our city as a whole.

Presentations

Ian Jacob

Moderator

Julie Larry

On the history of 295 in Portland

Community Representatives

Eyewitnesses to history - Moderated by Richard Barringer, Emeritus Professor at Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine

Dayea Shim (AICP) Program Coordinator, GrowSmart Maine

On highway removal throughout the world

Ryan Johnson, Associate Urban Planner, Austin TX

A new vision of the 295 corridor

Beth Osborne, Transportation for America

On the national movement to make smarter transportation policies

Myles Smith, Mainers for Smarter Transportation

On the proposed highway expansion

Bios

Ryan Johnson is an urban planner and designer from Austin, TX. He believes that good design and planning are critical for cities of all sizes to be diverse, active, equitable and engaging places. Before joining Code Studio, Ryan worked in both the public and non-profit sectors on land use planning and active transportation. His experience includes interpreting zoning ordinances, contributing to comprehensive plans and streetscape standards, and participating in multiple affordable housing design competitions. Ryan's research has focused on land use regulation, affordable housing, active transportation, suburban retrofitting, and streetscape design. In his personal life, Ryan serves on the city of Austin's Planning Commission, and enjoys biking, cooking, and traveling to new places.

Dayea Shimis senior planner who specializes in connecting community members on planning issues related to transportation, housing, and resiliency.

Myles Smith is a longtime community advocate and non-profit leader in both international and community development. Myles's work has focused on supporting journalists and open access to the internet, as well as trade and economic development in Central Asia. He led the Maine Broadband Coalition, an advocacy and public education group devoted to expanding access to high speed internet, particularly in rural areas. Myles is a member of a number of Portland-based and statewide advocacy coalitions for complete streets, cycling safety, and public transportation. He is the volunteer facilitator of an ad hoc group of advocates called Mainers for Smarter Transportation, which is fighting the expansion of the Maine Turnpike from South Portland to Gorham. A native of greater Portland, Myles returned to Portland in 2022 after over two decades in Boston, Washington DC, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

Julie Ann Larry is the former Director of Advocacy at Greater Portland Landmarks. An architectural historian, Julie has researched and presented on the historic development of several of Portland's neighborhoods, including those impacted by I-295 construction and urban renewal projects. Prior to joining Landmarks, Julie was a partner for eighteen years at ttl-architects where she oversaw the restoration of the Portland Observatory, the Castle-in-the-Park at Deering Oaks, and numerous other preservation projects in New England. She is currently the Senior Architectural Historian at Black Diamond Consultants.