On Aug. 28, the editorial board touted two drawings of the Portland Co., claiming they “dispel some opponents’ myths.” In its rush to sing the developer’s praises, the editorial board overlooked major issues.

The view to the water looks nice, but what’s missing? Wait a minute. What happened to Building One, the large 1918 Erecting Shop? Its demolition opens up a view to the water, but is it good policy?

Contrary to the draftsperson’s sleight of hand, Portland’s historic preservation ordinance, the Historic Preservation Board, the Eastern Waterfront Master Plan and preservation experts all call for the retention and adaptive reuse of Building One, an important part of this nationally significant complex.

May a developer just demolish an important historic structure? Thankfully, no. Assuming the City Council accepts, as it should, the unanimous recommendation of its diligent, professional Historic Preservation Board, Building One may not be demolished.

The editorial board also lauds the “dramatic front door that would give the public an accessway across the site to the water.” Unfortunately, the draftsperson seems to have ignored property lines. The developer’s property ends at least 120 feet short of the seawall. The drawing appears to reach the water only by incorporating a significant amount of Maine Department of Transportation and valuable city-owned land into the plaza.

The editorial board asserts these pictures show “there is nothing to be afraid of.” To the contrary, they depict demolition of an historic building and appropriation of public land. Moreover, there is no basis for relying on these pictures absent any official plan. It is a disservice to discount valid questions while relying on nothing more than pretty pictures.