[davehogan]

My idea for the cast iron remnants that are supposedly in storage would be to take one of the parking lots in the neighborhood and turn it into an urban park; weld all the remnants into a giant art piece of ruin in the center; plant some trees in the pavement (left as is, with parking stripes) around it; throw in some signage about what happened in the 50s. That would be a much more compelling and honest statement imo than tacking them on to the fronts, disneyland-style, of newly-constructed buildings.

The more I think about this idea, the more I like it. Make Old Town a larger part of the urban center, protect what's left, and make a statement about why more wasn't left. It sounds good to me.

[MarkDaMan]

Friday, March 6, 2009
Panel rejects UO proposal for White Stag sign
Portland Business Journal
by Andy Giegerich Business Journal staff writer


Old Town’s Made in Oregon sign has truly become a beacon of controversy.

In recommending that the University of Oregon not be allowed to alter the sign, city of Portland Land Use Services staffers thrilled at least 91 opponents who had written the city letters or e-mails blasting the school’s proposal. Only two backers wrote letters supporting the idea.

The recommendation now goes to the city’s Historic Landmarks Commission, which will begin considering it at a March 9 meeting. Portland City Planner Mark Walhood said he expects the commission to hold multiple public hearings.

The University of Oregon wants to change the sign after becoming the White Stag building’s main tenant earlier this year. The building, at 70 N.W. Couch St., hosts all the university’s Portland-based academic programs.

The school, which recently opened its Portland campus in the neighborhood, had proposed changing the words “Made in” on the sign to “University of.”

Staffers said the proposed changes failed to meet several criteria. One replacement would usurp some of the sign’s quirkier font, turning some upper case letters into lower case.

Planners also said the word “University” seems too crowded in the sign’s upper reaches.

Other critics, including City Commissioner Randy Leonard, have questioned whether the sign should essentially promote just one of the state’s universities.

However, university supporters say city examiners failed to note that the sign has actually undergone wholesale changes from its origins as the White Satin Sugar sign. That sign contained no lettering at all to which staffers referred, said Jan Oliver, the university’s vice president of institutional affairs. Plus, when the White Stag company bought the building, officials added language indicating that Portland was the “home of” the apparel maker.

“If the staff had looked at the entire history of the sign, their preoccupation with the style and size of the letters would be in contradiction” with the original sign, she said.

The issue drew more outcry than planners had expected. Yet the recommendation doesn’t mean that the landmarks commission will quell the university’s proposal.

“Essentially staff has raised issues, but that doesn’t mean it’s denied,” Walhood said. “It means we raised issues for discussions at future hearings. And I think there will be a few hearings on this.”

Planners said late last year the decision could ultimately rest with the Portland City Council, which could consider the matter sometime this spring.

Oliver said the school expected the proposal to elicit high public interest.

“It was controversial the last time it was changed, there was no reason to believe it would be less controversial this time around,” she said.

The university would buy the sign from Ramsay Signs Inc., the Portland company that made it, if the school can change it. The sign originally advertised the White Satin Sugar Co. in the 1940s. The Made in Oregon retailer has used it to tout its store since 1995.

School officials have pledged to keep the iconic stag, with its red nose that lights during the holidays, on the sign.

agiegerich@bizjournals.com | 503-219-3419
http://portland.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/03/09/story1.html?t=printable

[MarkDaMan]

Men behind the NWEA deal structure a 107,000-square-foot lease
Portland Business Journal - by Wendy Culverwell Business Journal staff writer

The recent decision by a nonprofit educational testing company to move from Lake Oswego to the Port of Portland Building in Northwest Portland marked a milestone.

Northwest Evaluation Associates’ lease of the 107,000-square-foot structure, and its promise of moving some 300 jobs to the site, may represent the largest relocation ever of a suburban business to Portland’s central business district. It also is one of the largest office transactions in recent Portland history.

NWEA plans to move its employees to the building, located at 121 N.W. Everett St. in Old Town, in 2011 after the current tenant, the Port of Portland, moves to new offices at Portland International Airport. The move will put NWEA in better contact with the business community, said Matt Chapman, president and CEO.

Chapman said the downtown location will help with staff recruiting and business connections with other nonprofits and software firms. Its Old Town neighbors will include the University of Oregon, Mercy Corps and an array of software development firms.

Putting the deal together required the services of several commercial real estate professionals. Brokers Gordon King and Mike Holzgang of Colliers International led NWEA’s search for a new headquarters, scouring Lake Oswego’s Kruse Way area as well as downtown Portland.

Real estate lawyer Scott Farleigh of Farleigh Wada Witt attended to the legal details of the lease. Brokers Tom Remley and David Squire of Grubb & Ellis handled negotiations on behalf of the owner of the Port of Portland building, Seattle’s Washington Real Estate Holdings LLC.

Name: Mike Holzgang.

Title: Senior vice president, corporate services.

Company: Colliers International — Portland.
http://portland.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/03/09/focus1.html

[urbanlife]

you would think UofO would want to be the friendly neighbors that moved into Old Town, not the dick you wish never moved to your neighborhood in the first place.

I think at this point, it would be a nice gesture to the city for UofO not to change the sign.

[Okstate]

^ I agree. I feel like a little kid when I think these thoughts but "It's simply not fair" that the UO can take such high visibility & exploit it to their liking. I've said this b4 on here...I would be against OSU, UO, PSU or any other school proposing this change. Historical referencing aside, this is just their way of trying to flex their muscles. Have a little dignity.

[PacificNW]

↑ It is a sign originally designed for advertising (and changed over the years, I might add)....Maybe, the university should "ask" for the sign to be relocated....or the city pay for its upkeep if the city/citizens don't want it removed/changed. I agree that the new signage proposed would be a bit much...too much lettering...maybe just the iconic "0" font that is worn on their football uniforms, or "Oregon" only...along with the stag and outline of the state.

[urbanlife]

↑ It is a sign originally designed for advertising (and changed over the years, I might add)....Maybe, the university should "ask" for the sign to be relocated....or the city pay for its upkeep if the city/citizens don't want it removed/changed. I agree that the new signage proposed would be a bit much...too much lettering...maybe just the iconic "0" font that is worn on their football uniforms, or "Oregon" only...along with the stag and outline of the state.

My biggest issue with this isnt the "historical" content, its the fact that the university is only leasing 3 attached buildings on one block...now if they owned the buildings and were expanding onto other blocks and basically making a small urban campus, then sure, change the sign, but not doing that and changing the sign seems to be a bit misleading and just a way for the college to stroke its ego in the city.

[Okstate]

↑ It is a sign originally designed for advertising (and changed over the years, I might add)....... "Oregon" only...along with the stag and outline of the state.

I'm guessing you're talking to me considering the "Up" symbol...Yes I know its "original" purpose & its history, hence my saying "history aside"...

I do agree with your suggestion of saying "Oregon" only. It still gets the message across & does so in a much more pleasing manner IMO.

[urbanlife]

We could change the sign to read "Portland, Oregon"....but that would make us look a little bit stupid...the whole putting the city name in the skyline, so you know what city you are looking at...though, I guess one could say that about having it just say "Oregon" as well because it outlines the state of Oregon already.


I like the "Made in Oregon" because it has evolved and taken on a new meaning for the city and is sort of a slogan for all our local produced goods and our local mindedness. And again, when University of Oregon builds an actual campus, not just lease 3/4 a block, then I can see them making a big deal over what it says on the sign....is it so hard for the school to put their name on the building itself? Do they really need a sign to stroke their egos?

[MarkDaMan]

thank God, some sensible talk, which means sensible resolutions can be found!


City appeals to UO about sign change
Portland realizes that the university controls the fate of Made in Oregon sign
Daily Journal of Commerce
POSTED: 04:00 AM PDT Wednesday, March 11, 2009
BY SAM BENNETT

For Hannah Fisher, the debate over changing the Made in Oregon sign to say “University of Oregon” boils down to one issue: fairness.

“We all need to raise visibility, but it should not be done at the cost of overshadowing each other,” she said during testimony before the city’s Historic Landmarks Commission. “Making the sign into a University of Oregon sign will do just that.”

As student body president of Portland State University, Fisher said she represented PSU’s 27,000 students and said there should be a “spirit of Oregon universities working together in a time of budget crisis.”

But as a tenant in the White Stag Block in Old Town, the University of Oregon has the option to change the sign, and UO officials at Monday’s Historic Landmarks Commission meeting made it clear that’s what they want.

The sign is owned by Ramsay Signs. Its president, Darryl Paulsen, said UO’s lease agreement with White Stag Block property owner Venerable Properties gives the university the option to have the sign changed or leave it alone.

Because UO officials are adamant about making the change, city officials hope to appeal to UO’s sense of fairness and convince the university not to proceed with the sign change.

This may be the city’s only option to keep the Made in Oregon sign as is.

City Commissioner Randy Leonard and Mayor Sam Adams back the idea of the city buying the sign from Ramsay Signs in order to leave it unchanged.

Leonard called UO’s sign change proposal “incendiary,” and said the university is “moving into Portland and using (Portland’s) most prominent sign to promote itself.”

“How would people in Eugene feel if Portland State put a ‘PSU Vikings’ large neon sign on top of Skinner Butte?” he said, referring to the butte overlooking the UO campus in Eugene.

Commission members delayed a decision about the sign change until April 6, but members said they couldn’t deny UO the change even if they wanted to. Members said the best way to assure the sign continues to say “Made in Oregon” would be for it to come into public ownership. Otherwise, they said, UO is protected under the First Amendment to change the sign.

“We have something here that is truly iconic,” said commission member Richard Engeman. “It’s more than just a brand,” he said, referring to Made In Oregon, the store chain that in 1997 had the sign changed to its name. “It has to do with who we are as a state and a city.”

Several opponents of the sign change said Monday that the Made in Oregon sign is the closest thing Portland has to a Space Needle or Gateway Arch.

Local resident Angela Wykoff said the fact that the sign has changed from White Satin Sugar to White Stag and then to Made in Oregon over its nearly 70-year life is not enough reason to change it to University of Oregon. While Made In Oregon is a store brand, many residents and visitors see the sign as a symbol of what makes Oregon great.

“When Oregonians see the sign, they think of the Rose Festival and Crater Lake and many graphic images,” Wykoff said. “Changing the sign for exploitation of a single entity would degrade the symbolic value of the sign. UO represents a small part of the mental image that the sign conjures.”

But commission members said they can’t control the message of the sign. They have asked UO to work with Ramsay Signs to slightly alter the lettering so it has a more historic flare.

“We are a country of laws,” said Paulson, referring to UO’s right to change the lettering. “The laws protect everyone, even if you don’t like the message.”
http://www.djcoregon.com/articleDetail.htm/2009/03/11/City-appeals-to-UO-about-sign-change-Portland-realizes-that-the-university-controls-the-fate-of-Made

[zilfondel]

“How would people in Eugene feel if Portland State put a ‘PSU Vikings’ large neon sign on top of Skinner Butte?” he said, referring to the butte overlooking the UO campus in Eugene.


HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I love it. Randy Leonard knows how to put the smackdown. :tup:

[Okstate]

I am astonished simply from a PR stance that the UO is even contemplating "duking" this one out. Why is Paulson even allowed to speak on this...sit down & shut up. All he wants is $$$. It could say "Paulson is light in the loafers" so long as he gets the commission.

[urbanlife]

I would love to see architecture like this showing up in Old Town.

louis blanc social housing (http://www.archdaily.com/17568/louis-blanc-social-housing-ecdm/)

http://www.archdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/503008058_008.jpg

http://www.archdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/11870069_021.jpg

[sowat]

On the Boards 3/30/09
http://www.djcoregon.com/articleDetail.htm/2009/03/30/On-the-Boards-33009
POSTED: 04:00 AM PDT Monday, March 30, 2009
BY NATHALIE WEINSTEIN

The Resource Access Center, a 106,000-square-foot building intended to serve the city’s homeless population, will soon be built in the northern part of Old Town.

Designed by Holst Architecture, the $45.9 million project will be located on the Portland Development Commission’s Block U site, which is bounded by Hoyt and Irving streets to the south and north, respectively, and Sixth Avenue and Broadway to the east and west respectively. The Resource Access Center is part of Portland’s Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, which was adopted by City Council in December 2005. The eight-story facility will provide a 90-bed men’s shelter, five floors of permanent housing with 130 studio apartments, as well as transitional aids such as computer stations, lockers and showers, laundry facilities, a barbershop, telephones and mail facilities. In addition, the center will contain a pet area, a community library, a vegetable garden, support areas for physical and mental health services, and an art room. Also planned are case management and administrative offices, and community meeting spaces.

The building, which is targeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design gold certification, will employ gray water harvesting, heat recovery, solar hot water, a vegetated roof with storm water planters, and a high-efficiency brick skin with three inches of exterior insulation and low-e fiberglass windows.

The design team is led by Holst Architecture and includes Walsh Construction, PAE Consulting Engineers, ABHT Structural Engineers, KPFF Civil Engineers, Mayer/Reed Landscape Architecture & Visual Communications, Czopek & Erdenberger Interior Design, Green Building Services, and Architectural Cost Consultants.

[urbanlife]

I wonder if there are any renderings for this yet? It sounds like a great project.

[tworivers]

^^^Yes -- look on the Holst website (http://www.holstarc.com) under Mixed-Use Housing. It's right at the top. Let the debate begin!

[tworivers]

I would love to see architecture like this showing up in Old Town.

I very much agree. In fact, I'd like that building better without the top-floor setback. But, it is to scale with its surroundings and also contemporary. I doubt our Historic Landmarks Commission would approve. Maybe with some cast iron relics stuck on to the front...

[Okstate]

I like it.

[pdxtraveler]

I like it too.

[sowat]

from http://www.holstarc.com/

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/8139/holst1.jpg
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/631/holst2.jpg
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/852/holst3.jpg
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/5683/holst4.jpg
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/4256/holst5.jpg
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/8281/holst6.jpg

[bvpcvm]

WOW. Awesome.

[MarkDaMan]

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=140487

here is the original thread. Possibly the mods could merge the two where they overlap, and change the title?

[zilfondel]

holy...! :stunned:

[cab]

I guess as a contrast to the actual quality building its going to block in the train station it works. But seriously this is nothing more then value engineering. Its a box. How bold.

[MOPIdaho]

This made in Oregon vs UO thing has been beaten into the ground, but you need to look at Randy Leonards' (http://www.commissionerleonard.typepad.com/) new idea. I like the Portland addition but the rose makes the sign look like a clip art orgasm! :haha:

[stan]

Great building.

[urbanlife]

it is as if Mr. Frohnmayer is trying to be a dick about this....seriously, why would someone want to change a sign like this when they can see how much people here will hate him for that?

[zilfondel]

http://commissionerleonard.typepad.com/.a/6a0112793eb7e228a401156eac3f3a970c-800wi

from Randy Leonard's blog (http://www.commissionerleonard.typepad.com/)

[designpdx]

I'm not a fan of the 'clip-art' rose stuck in the corner.

[65MAX]

I'm sure the rose can be tweeked. The overall concept is good though.

[Okstate]

edit

[Okstate]

Could they not just put in a little "O" somewhere amongst the "Portland Oregon" on the sign. You know....to mark their territory & all. Maybe the O in "O"regon could be duck colored???

[pdxtraveler]

Could they not just put in a little "O" somewhere amongst the "Portland Oregon" on the sign. You know....to mark their territory & all. Maybe the O in "O"regon could be duck colored???


That is an idea. Or maybe, keep the Portland Oregon part but where is says
city of Roses put University of Oregon there. It would be in the fine print and
not stand out quite as much.

[Okstate]

^ I think that would be a great compromise.

[holladay]

Why can't they just just a brand new University of Oregon sign right next to the Made in Oregon sign? Who says there only needs to be one sign?!

[zilfondel]

Doesn't the city ban new signs??

[65MAX]

New landmark signs, or billboards, yes. The current sign wouldn't be allowed today.

[tworivers]

How about "Go By Bike"?! I am not in favor of Leonard's concept -- it has that Disneyland flavor for me.

[NewUrbanist]

I think Daniel Deutsch is working on a "go by bike" sign for the Left Bank building on Broadway in conjunction with Sam Adams's office. Not sure where it is at now, but I have heard murmurs.

[Okstate]

^ That has me thinking...maybe the sign should read "go by car" haha.

[pylon]

If anybody out there decides to "go by foot", here's a great resource for 50 hikes around the Portland area...

http://www.oregonmetro.gov/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=27574

[tworivers]

http://www.zachdundas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/1238638544-_unset_.jpg

original here (http://www.zachdundas.com/blog/).

[tworivers]

I think Daniel Deutsch is working on a "go by bike" sign for the Left Bank building on Broadway in conjunction with Sam Adams's office.

That's exciting. I hope it is big.

[urbanlife]

http://www.zachdundas.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/1238638544-_unset_.jpg

original here (http://www.zachdundas.com/blog/).

damn, that is funny...but realistically it should probably read "Stripclub Capitol." :haha:

[tworivers]

Straight from the blog of Commissioner Leonard, a compromise has apparently been reached:

http://commissionerleonard.typepad.com/.a/6a0112793eb7e228a401156f12d56f970c-800wi

[holladay]

:previous: Hrmmm, something about that just doesn't fully deliver... Anyone?

[alexjon]

I can see Randy kicking the sign over in frustration

[urbanlife]

I can see Randy kicking the sign over in frustration

even better, I can see a big outline of Randy added towering over the sign trying to stop on it with one foot raised over the sign. :haha:

[jaxg8r1]

Just not sure what that design accomplishes. It doesn't scream U of O to me (I suppose a case could be made for the coloring) and it disturbs the look of the Original.

[MarkDaMan]

I think he cut your link tworivers?

ripped from kgw.com

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/L_IMAGE.11fd101b4ff.93.88.fa.d0.b5e92c78.jpg

[urbanlife]

not sure why they cant just change the wording at the bottom of the sign, if they want to say they are apart of Oldtown, then it should read "Made in Oregon" then at the bottom read "Oldtown-UofO."

I would see that as reading that UofO is apart of Oldtown.

[Okstate]

I'm assuming the "Oregon" will just be flashing by itself now? That will seem awkward.

[pdxtraveler]

Actually, I think it is a good compromise for as entrenched as both sides were. Everyone got some of what they wanted and the sign still looks good.

[downtownpdx]

I'm assuming the "Oregon" will just be flashing by itself now? That will seem awkward.

Haha! Yeah that would be pretty dumb-looking. Maybe letter-by-letter ... or just not at all.

I think the compromise looks pretty good. I like the 'Old Town Portland' at the bottom. The sign looks pretty much the same, (they wanted to put a big 'O' there originally right?)... and this sign has changed several times over the years anyway. I'm just glad the basic design is intact.

[tworivers]

Great news out of left field:

International House of Customs

Posted By Tim DuRoche on 04/07/2009
Portland Spaces/Burnside Blog (http://www.portlandspaces.net/blog/the-burnside-blog/2009/4/7/international-house-of-customs)

After what seem like months of school budget cuts, woe-filled stories about resource-strapped classrooms, and “right-sizing” staff positions at the district-level (including this week’s news that Portland Public Schools was eliminating their Arts specialist position ), it’s about time we heard something heartening about education and schools.

This just in:
The US Dept of Education has awarded Customs House Building at 220 NW 8th Avenue to The International School language immersion school — bringing more educational energy to the North Park Blocks. The site was acquired through the DOE Surplus Federal Real Property Program. The DOE awarded the building for the TIS Spanish, Chinese & Japanese full immersion program that currently educates 400 students in preschool through 5th grade over in the land of SoWa.

This would be the second K-5 in the neighborhood (Emerson Charter School is on the North Park Blocks at NW Couch). It’s a great addition to the burgeoning educational/cultural Davis Street corridor— and it will be a great locale for connecting TIS students with not only related multicultural resources like the Chinese Garden and the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center, but to the Gerding Theater, Museum of Contemporary Craft, the Oregon Jewish Museum, Wieden+Kennedy, the Pearl Galleries, and more.

In TIS’ press release announcing the good news, Congressman David Wu, who helped move the deal through, was quoted as saying: “I am pleased that there will finally be a tenant for the beautiful, historic Customs House. . .the International School will help reinvigorate an area of our city with long-standing multicultural roots, furthering the exciting work already underway to revitalize Old Town/Chinatown.”

It’s early still, but present plans would allow TIS to increase the square-footage of its classrooms for project and inquiry-based learning, and to have a sizable multi-language library and media center, large art and music rooms, meeting and social areas, two indoor gym/play areas, science labs, and teacher work areas.

The 49,000+ sq. foot Customs House (on the historic register since 1974) is being conveyed to TIS at no cost through a Public Benefit Allowance. It is currently vacant. Early word on the street says to expect a major green historical renovation and substantial upgrades to deal with seismic and programming issues. The award is contingent with TIS relocating their entire school within three years of the property’s conveyance.

The bustling energy of 400+ kids and their families is surely to lend momentum and verve to the OTCT/Downtown core’s sense of “collective efficacy.”

[pylon]

Wow. They recently finished an expansion down there not that long ago. Here's the news at their website...

http://www.intlschool.org/parent/custom-house/

It'll be interesting to see how the kids will change the social dynamic in that area.

[vjoe]

Does anybody know what's going on at 4th and Burnside next to the chinatown gate? I went by on a bus last week and the old building at the corner was gone and it was just an empty lot surrounded by chain link fence. I checked google maps and I see there used to be a small 1 level building there.

[Eagle rock]

That was an Adult Bookstore the city tore down becuase it was blight or something.

It was just a crappy 1 story wood building, but hopefully that lot will be filled with something soon.

[scottyboi]

Actually...I happened to walk by after they first fenced it off (before demolition) and was told that the building was collapsing in on itself, so had to be torn down for safety. It's been an empty lot since then, I saw yesterday they had put down a layer of rock (smallish rock, like that used on rural driveways and such) over the entire lot...not sure what is going on other than that. I'm sure it will stay that way for years...much like the abandoned BK a few blocks west ;-)

[zilfondel]

In the paper a few months ago they reported that some guys were digging up archeological bits from the site, like old chinese pottery and stuff, so they fenced in the lot. I think they may have to sift through the site before they can do anything with it first. There may even be human remains down there...

[Delaney]

Actually...I happened to walk by after they first fenced it off (before demolition) and was told that the building was collapsing in on itself, so had to be torn down for safety. It's been an empty lot since then, I saw yesterday they had put down a layer of rock (smallish rock, like that used on rural driveways and such) over the entire lot...not sure what is going on other than that. I'm sure it will stay that way for years...much like the abandoned BK a few blocks west ;-)

I think you were fed a line - I don't think it had anything wrong with it that posed an immediate safety risk. PDC and the City bought it and tore it down because an empty lot is better than a porn store in their mind.

http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=119637522102183000

But you're right that it will stay that way for years.

[urbanlife]

I think you were fed a line - I don't think it had anything wrong with it that posed an immediate safety risk. PDC and the City bought it and tore it down because an empty lot is better than a porn store in their mind.

http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=119637522102183000

But you're right that it will stay that way for years.

What city doesnt want their entrance to Chinatown be a closed down building with a little sign that says "adult books"?

[Delaney]

The store didn't have to close down until the City hit them with fines.

I'm not defending the store, just stating the facts.

[tworivers]

I couldn't find the thread for the Hunt Building (I know we've discussed it somewhere on here), but I took a few shots of the almost-completed renovation last week. For making some drastic alterations, it looks pretty good IMO. Can't remember if it's office or apt's?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/3782783289_bd2f2db2b4_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/3783593026_20dde140d6_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/3782780687_34abd4723f_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3507/3783590372_c8b26ced5e_o.jpg

[urbanlife]

I have been pretty impressed with this renovation.

[scottyboi]

Same here...looks great...and so glad they are re-using this building...was so sad to see it vacant for so long. Definitely worth keeping! Love those huge arches on the street level...really a handsome building.

[2oh1]

Where in Old Town is this? I wish I could remember what the building used to look like so I could appreciate the renovation that much more.

[stan]

It's at NW Fourth Ave and Glisan. Imagine concrete where all the windows are now and you'll have a pretty idea of the status quo ante. It's a fairly restrained renovation. Good thing this project got approved during the boom. Can't imagine to many lenders lining up to put their money into this.

[redbeard]

Found a pic online of what it used to look like. For awhile it was called 'East of Pearl':

http://i25.tinypic.com/ofvjw4.jpg

[2oh1]

Whoa, what a difference. It used to be a fortress!

Googlemap... (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1030+SW+Jefferson+St.+Portland+OR+97201&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=47.301626,68.642578&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=45.526719,-122.674319&spn=0.000658,0.000933&z=20&layer=c&cbll=45.526615,-122.67451&panoid=hfhNw6BULr50hybIGIjn0Q&cbp=12,36.87,,0,5)

[puerco]

For years back in the 60's into maybe the 80's or 90's that building belonged to Bekin moving and Storage. The name 'BEKIN" was prominently displayed on the top part of the building.

[360Rich]

That renovation looks great.

Anyone know if it be office spaces, condos, apartments?

[redbeard]

That renovation looks great.

Anyone know if it be office spaces, condos, apartments?

Last I heard it was Class B office.

[pdxtraveler]

New land use request for Old Town. Nice looking, but it is in place of the Dirty Duck..not the greatest building, but leaves all the surface lots intact. Oh, well.
http://www.portlandonline.com/bds/index.cfm?c=42259&a=257615
Either an addition to the Blanchet house on same block.

[MOPIdaho]

wow, that was definitely called in!

[Okstate]

Has this been mentioned?

http://www.amaa.com/portfolio/project/?category=retail&project=251&redir=Lz8=

[urbanlife]

Has this been mentioned?

http://www.amaa.com/portfolio/project/?category=retail&project=251&redir=Lz8=

not that I have seen, this is much better that the garbage night club that was poorly run that was there (actually is that night club still there, I havent been in that area for a while now?)


Actually I read this article a few days ago and forgot to post it here. It seems my old teacher, Chet Orloff, has been working on a great idea that I hope happens.

Cast Iron Past (http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/08/downtown_plaza_will_pay_tribut.html)
http://blog.oregonlive.com/portland_impact/2009/08/large_ip.Ankeny%20Facilities.jpg

[New Madrid]

The lobby space will include guest check in and a restaurant/bar named Two Turn Tables and a Microphone.

oh dear.

[sowat]

duweeted

[tworivers]

Uwajimaya waits on money
POSTED: Friday, September 4, 2009 at 05:00 PM PT
BY: Tyler Graf
DJC

Developers of a project to build an Uwajimaya Asian grocery store in Old Town/Chinatown have at least one big hurdle to clear before they can move forward: securing an additional $2 million for the Waterfront urban renewal area.

In 2008, the Portland Development Commission had planned to use $10 million to fill gaps in the project’s $80 million budget, but the Waterfront URA’s budget has since dwindled to about $8 million.

To raise the money, the PDC is interested in selling properties in the area that the agency has had trouble developing in the past, including the Police Block, at Northwest Third Avenue and Oak Street.

Because property in general is moving slowly in Portland right now, the PDC is considering several possible approaches. One would be to involve Howard Davis and David Gold, co-owners of the Uwajimaya site, who said they might be interested in buying some of the PDC properties.

What is certain is the PDC will purchase and use Davis and Gold’s property for Uwajimaya, which will be developed by Sockeye Development.

The goal is to have $10 million in the budget by the time the project moves through the design phase, said Peter Englander, the PDC’s manager of the Waterfront URA.

He said the PDC rarely sells or swaps property to pay for new projects, “but we need to find alternatives so we can meet the budget.”

The project now is significantly behind schedule. Nevertheless, Davis wants Uwajimaya signed to a long-term lease by the end of the year.

That lease agreement, which relies in part on the PDC filling the remainder of the funding gap, would help put the project on the fast track. It would be the second Portland-metro store for Uwajimaya; one in Beaverton opened in 1998.

The PDC’s Waterfront URA budget has dwindled because much of it was used on other projects that were further along than Uwajimaya, such as the new campus for the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine.

But now, Englander said, the PDC has given him the authority to prioritize the Uwajimaya project.
“We’re all committed to work to the end of the year to see where we’re at,” Englander said.

So far, the neighborhood has rallied around the project.

Jeff Jordan, a member of the Old Town/Chinatown Business Association, said he was heartened by the PDC’s decision to make the project a priority.

“We want some of these prestigious places to put some roots in our neighborhood, to improve its image,” Jordan said.

The PDC likens the project to Museum Place, which had the same development team under a different name. Museum Place, similar to the plans for Uwajimaya, features a ground-floor supermarket and 140 apartments. It, too, stimulated an underserved part of the city, Englander said.

[MarkDaMan]

Trouble ahead for the Dirty Duck
Daily Journal of Commerce
POSTED: Monday, December 21, 2009 at 12:04 PM PT
BY: Eli Segall

The former home of the Dirty Duck is targeted for demolition to clear space for a LEED-certified homeless shelter, though an advisory panel may recommend saving the World War I-era structure.

The Dirty Duck building, located at the corner of Northwest Third Avenue and Northwest Glisan Street, would be torn down as part of a land swap between the Portland Development Commission, which owns the building, and the Blanchet House of Hospitality, a non-profit homeless center next door.

Blanchet officials want to tear down the Dirty Duck and build a three-to-four-story building for the nonprofit. Portland’s Historic Landmarks Commission is scheduled to hold a demolition review on Jan. 11.

At least one landmarks commissioner, Richard Engeman, said he plans to recommend denying the demolition. Engeman said in a phone interview Monday that it’s “unfortunate” public money would be used “to destroy a publicly designated historic resource.”

Built in 1916 or 1917, the Dirty Duck building sits in the city’s Chinatown National Register Historic District

“If that building is demolished, I feel that it truly endangers the entire district,” Engeman said.

The landmarks commission will give advice on the plan to Portland Bureau of Development Services, which will then make a recommendation to the City Council, which has final say on the demolition.

BDS spokesman Ross Caron could not immediately confirm how often the council, in voting on various projects, has agreed with the commission’s recommendations.

Other than Engeman, landmarks commissioners either declined to comment or could not be reached for comment this past week. But at a previous hearing, on Aug. 24, they criticized plans to demolish the one-story, green-and-cream colored structure.

Commissioner Brian Emerick, for instance, said razing the Dirty Duck “erodes that entire corner of the district.”
Bill Reilly, a Blanchet House board member, seen here in the kitchen and dining room area of the House on Monday, says the group has no backup plan if Dirty Duck demolition plans are denied. (Photo by Dan Carter)

“People keep saying it’s on the edge of the district, as though that’s, you know, less important,” Commissioner Paul Salimano said during the hearing.

Formally known as the Kiernan Building, the Dirty Duck building got its nickname from its most prominent tenant, Gail’s Dirty Duck Tavern, a gay bar that shut down Aug. 23, after 25 years in business.

The Portland Development Commission bought the property in September 1999, as part of a redevelopment strategy for the entire block, said John Warner, a senior development manager with the agency.

He said the commission in 2002 earmarked $2 million to give the Blanchet House so it could build a new facility somewhere else. In exchange, he said, the group would deed its property, at Northwest Fourth Avenue and Northwest Glisan Street, to the commission.

The deal later changed to include giving Blanchet House the Dirty Duck property next door. Terms of the deal were finalized roughly a year ago, and as part of the swap, Blanchet would still get the $2 million.

Bill Reilly, a Blanchet House board member, said tearing down the Dirty Duck and building a new facility would cost an estimated $9 million to $10 million.

He said construction would last 13 months, and the group would operate from its existing facility while the center is being built. He also said the group wants the building to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design platinum certification.

Founded in 1952, Blanchet House serves up to 800 meals a day, typically to homeless and low-income people. It also offers temporary housing for homeless men.

Reilly and other officials there say a new building is needed to get more ground-floor space, allowing clients to line up for food inside the building, not outside, as they currently do.

It would also give them a bigger kitchen, and if the building is three floors high - the group has an option for a fourth story - up to 48 men could sleep there at any time, compared to the roughly 30 who can now sleep at the existing Blanchet House facility.

Nevertheless, Reilly said he didn’t know what the group would do if its demolition plans are denied. He noted the cost of refurbishing the Dirty Duck “would be way beyond what our budget is.”

According to a November 2008 report from the Portland Development Commission, the Dirty Duck is “functionally and physically obsolete” and would need heavy investment “to extend its useful life.”

“We don’t have a backup plan at this point,” Reilly said.

http://djcoregon.com/news/2009/12/21/trouble-ahead-for-the-dirty-duck/

[Okstate]

Is the ultimate plan for old town to house mainly affordable housing? I wish they would sprinkle in a few other things instead of making this our tenderloin district.

[crow]

^^ditto. It is like Burnside in many ways is a lot like Market street in SF. The Old Town area is an untapped resource of real estate wealth. I believe the Naitos are holding a lot of property in that area. There are huge opportunities in Old Town for some killer lofts and nightlife.

[pdxtex]

if they dont have it already, old town needs some dedicated beat cops actually walking around on a hot summer night. 4th ave is downright sketchy over when its over 60 degrees.

[Snowden352]

Ok, there is something definitely slimy about the above ^^^ deal. They're building a 10 million dollar homeless shelter that's LEED certified? Seriously? Do the homeless really need renewable energy? How many residences for the homeless could be built with that money in the MUCH cheaper East Portland area? I mean, seriously, does anyone believe this is about anything but some pigs feeding at the public trough? I mean, THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE A BACKUP PLAN! They're saying to these people, "give us this spot or NO homeless shelters get built." God! Dicks!

[twofiftyfive]

Do the homeless really need renewable energy?

Huh? When homeless people use electricity generated by burning coal does it not contribute to global warming?

[pdxtraveler]

Ok, there is something definitely slimy about the above ^^^ deal. They're building a 10 million dollar homeless shelter that's LEED certified? Seriously? Do the homeless really need renewable energy? How many residences for the homeless could be built with that money in the MUCH cheaper East Portland area? I mean, seriously, does anyone believe this is about anything but some pigs feeding at the public trough? I mean, THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE A BACKUP PLAN! They're saying to these people, "give us this spot or NO homeless shelters get built." God! Dicks!

Seriously, the city can't win no matter what they do.

They did look at several other lots (including the Dirty Duck block, I believe). Also this is the homeless day center that everyone has insisted the city needs so people wouldn't be sitting out in the streets. And while to me $10 million is a lot of money, these days $10 million is small change for a development project.

[Okstate]

I think Snowden352 was trying to say.. why build less units to accommodate a "green" status. Not saying homeless don't need a "green" building.

My main thing again is diversity within the district. We are at a point where Old Town/Chinatown could go several directions. I really hope it doesn't turn into a version of DTES in Vancouver (which even it is pulling out of the trenches currently).

[urbanlife]

Ok, there is something definitely slimy about the above ^^^ deal. They're building a 10 million dollar homeless shelter that's LEED certified? Seriously? Do the homeless really need renewable energy? How many residences for the homeless could be built with that money in the MUCH cheaper East Portland area? I mean, seriously, does anyone believe this is about anything but some pigs feeding at the public trough? I mean, THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE A BACKUP PLAN! They're saying to these people, "give us this spot or NO homeless shelters get built." God! Dicks!

LEED should be a minimum requirement for EVERY development, and 10 million for a development is no longer alot of money...the architecture department at PSU was just barely above 10 million for their renovation to Shattuck Hall.

[crow]

architects and designers should be able to do a LEED Silver building in their sleep. It should be the standard by now, $10M is not a lot of money, what they (architects or city) need to show is how much more they are able to build by not using as much energy, or water, and how the absence of toxins is better for the health of the people...this should not be about a premium.

[Delaney]

Seriously, the city can't win no matter what they do.

They did look at several other lots (including the Dirty Duck block, I believe). Also this is the homeless day center that everyone has insisted the city needs so people wouldn't be sitting out in the streets. And while to me $10 million is a lot of money, these days $10 million is small change for a development project.

I think you are confusing two separate projects. The Blanchet House going onto the dirty duck site is a private development replacing the existing Blanchet facility on the same block. PDC gave them the land but other than that it isn't using public funds. The center you reference is the much larger and publicly funded Resource Access Center that is going over by Union Station and is already under construction. Either way, I think both projects are slated for LEED, so the argument about who deserves environmentally responsible design holds for either case. Frankly, I think Snowden is way WAY off base with some pretty thoughtless critique. Conserving energy and resources goes hand in hand with the concept of social equity and trying to help homeless people before it's too late.

[pdxtraveler]

I think you are confusing two separate projects. The Blanchet House going onto the dirty duck site is a private development replacing the existing Blanchet facility on the same block. PDC gave them the land but other than that it isn't using public funds. The center you reference is the much larger and publicly funded Resource Access Center that is going over by Union Station and is already under construction. Either way, I think both projects are slated for LEED, so the argument about who deserves environmentally responsible design holds for either case. Frankly, I think Snowden is way WAY off base with some pretty thoughtless critique. Conserving energy and resources goes hand in hand with the concept of social equity and trying to help homeless people before it's too late.

Actually, yes, Blanchet House is now going on the Dirty Duck site. But several years ago, Saltzman wanted to put a 17 floor homeless resource center on the Dirty Duck site. So the Union Station project I think is a much scaled down version of that vision from several years ago.

[WestCoast]

only construction going on in Portland is more homeless shelters. That will do wonders for the livability of downtown and really attract more businesses and more tourism....

Maybe I should sell this old condo and move into one of these new leed towers, sounds pretty deluxe, nice view, no rent, prime real estate, all on the tax payer dole. Sweet!

[PacificNW]

▲▲ Sounds like a good idea too me (or....don't sell your condo but spend a night sleeping on the street)....you might gain a little more empathy for the less fortunate.

[Delaney]

only construction going on in Portland is more homeless shelters. That will do wonders for the livability of downtown and really attract more businesses and more tourism....

Maybe I should sell this old condo and move into one of these new leed towers, sounds pretty deluxe, nice view, no rent, prime real estate, all on the tax payer dole. Sweet!

stay classy, dude.

[urbanlife]

only construction going on in Portland is more homeless shelters. That will do wonders for the livability of downtown and really attract more businesses and more tourism....

Maybe I should sell this old condo and move into one of these new leed towers, sounds pretty deluxe, nice view, no rent, prime real estate, all on the tax payer dole. Sweet!

Dont forget, you also need to give away all the money you have as well...then you could get a chance to move into one of these sweet new LEED towers.

[WestCoast]

I just don't know how many more BID, payroll taxes, income taxes or fees I can tolerate to pay for these. Someone has to pay for this stuff guys.

Yelling into the wind I guess. The dude abides.

[philopdx]

You know I find myself torn over the issue. I feel frustration when I encounter the street kids that cuss at me and spit on my shoes, knowing that 9% of my income goes to keeping them alive.

At the same time, I know homelessness must be a complex problem, and the cynical street kids aren't necessarily a good representation of the population as a whole.

I'm happy, in a sense, to see new development to serve the underprivileged. But these facilities only exist due to the fruits of the labor of those of us who get up every morning, go to work when we don't want to, follow the rules and produce something for society, even when it sucks, even when we're verbally abused, even when we're humiliated and browbeaten.

As someone who leans to the left on many issues, I understand the visceral reaction to WestCoast's right-leaning comments. But WestCoast here is not the villain, he should be the hero. Without risk-takers like him, there would be no shelters, no rehab programs, no museums, no parks and no buses or trains.

[llamaorama]

It sounds like the source of this dilemma is not helping the poor, but when they end up living better than those who support them, raising the question of who's entitled to what I suppose.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with hostel or dorm-like shelters that provide minimal accomodations to those in need of a temporary place to stay, and whatever services they may require to re-enter society.

But I think its fair to start wondering about things when a recipient of social services gets their own apartment in a fairly nice building in the middle of a trendy and expensive neighborhood in the city most working people couldn't afford to live in.

[bvpcvm]

It sounds like the source of this dilemma is not helping the poor, but when they end up living better than those who support them, raising the question of who's entitled to what I suppose.

I'm certain that no one supported by my tax dollars who's living in a 200-sf dorm is living better than me in my 1100-sf condo. Their building may be more stylish than mine, but that's fine with me; I still have to look at it when I walk by, no matter who lives in it.

But I think its fair to start wondering about things when a recipient of social services gets their own apartment in a fairly nice building in the middle of a trendy and expensive neighborhood in the city most working people couldn't afford to live in.

I think it's fair to start wondering what our society would be like if we just completely segregated everyone by income and social status. Let's make everything a gated community and admit no diversity at all!

Look, would you rather we build housing for the homeless east of 82nd? There's a reason the homeless congregate in downtown, and it's the same reason readers of this forum like downtown as well: there are sidewalks and it's dense and so things aren't too far apart. Would it make sense to send people with no resources to a suburb where a car is the only realistic form of transportation? Would it make sense to fragment the social services they need by decentralizing them to the edges of the metro area? Of course not. Furthermore, the Pearl took off partly because aging yuppies wanted to hold on to their fading claim to being cool and "edgy" by living in downtown - the homeless were already there. Now that the Pearl has grown up around the homeless, should we kick them out?