Board approves amended interpretive plan for B & M Cannery pier, requires additional marker of lost Codfish Building

The Portland Historic Preservation Board on June 18 conditionally approved amendments to previously approved rehabilitation and interpretive work at 1 Beanpot Circle (the B & M Cannery), while directing the applicant to add an interpretation that communicates the volume and footprint of the demolished Codfish Building.

Staff explained that the applicant, represented by SwingPoint Development and formally identified in project materials as Northeastern University, requested a reduced pier footprint from what had originally been approved. Staff said the landmark designation left the pier structure itself outside the board’s purview, but elements above the pier — interpretive displays, light poles, bollards and other built elements — remain subject to the board’s review.

Architect Tim Mansfield and the applicant team described three main drivers of the redesign: a fire department requirement limiting the allowable assembly/congregation area on the pier (the first roughly 75 feet…