Portland Museum of Art

Greater Portland Landmarks said it's disappointed by a judge's decision to clear the way for the Portland Museum of Art to demolish the building.

A judge has cleared the way for the Portland Museum of Art to demolish the former children's museum to make room for a proposed $100 million expansion.

The Portland Museum of Art wants to tear down the building as part of a $100 million expansion, and the city maintains that the structure has undergone so many renovations that it isn't worthy of preservation.

After a months-long debate, the Portland City Council decided that the museum’s neighboring building is no longer historically significant. The art museum owns the building at 142 Free Street and wants to demolish it to make room for an expansion.

Museum officials say the plan would require demolishing the former's Children's Museum next door. But preservation advocates say the structure at 142 Free Street has historic significance and must be protected.

Two city boards had recommended that Portland keep a historic designation for the former Children's Museum on Free Street. The Portland Museum of Art owns the building and wants to demolish it to make room for a proposed expansion.

The museum said its financial challenges began during the pandemic.

Organizers announced on social media Thursday night that a majority of staff at the museum approved the unionization effort.

The union that’s seeking to represent employees at the Portland Museum of Art has filed two unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor…

Thirty-nine state legislators and one Portland city councilor have signed a letter asking the Portland Museum of Art not to impede a staff effort to…