Multnomah County Courthouse | 310' | 17 floors | Complete

[maccoinnich]

There are some full block sites downtown, but they may all be too expensive. I wonder if the Lloyd District might be considered? There are plenty of suitable sites, and the public transport is excellent. There are fewer nearby amenities than there are in downtown, but that may change in the coming years.

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

There are some full block sites downtown, but they may all be too expensive. I wonder if the Lloyd District might be considered? There are plenty of suitable sites, and the public transport is excellent. There are fewer nearby amenities than there are in downtown, but that may change in the coming years.

That is what I was thinking, they sounded like they were wanting to expand their look to sites on the east side of the river rather than downtown.

[Derek]

What about SW Clay and 1st? The entrance to the Koin Center garage is located along Clay and the rest of it is a parking lot. I can't see them moving the courthouse too far away from the rest of the government buildings around Lownsdale Square, Chapman Square and Terry Schrunk Plaza.

[2oh1]

I assume they're going to have to come up with a creative solution here. I think it's pretty much a given - an unaccepted given (lol) - that the Portland Building is going to come down at some point, likely sooner than later due to the escalating costs of fixing it. That seems like an opportunity. Level it to build a new courthouse, and then replace the current courthouse with a new office tower. How to finance any of that is another matter, of course... but then again, who in their right mind would want to spend $100,000,000+ to fix the Portland Building? It's coming down at some point. It's just a matter of when, how, and what opportunities can be made of that mess.

[hat]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

There are some full block sites downtown, but they may all be too expensive. I wonder if the Lloyd District might be considered? There are plenty of suitable sites, and the public transport is excellent. There are fewer nearby amenities than there are in downtown, but that may change in the coming years.

Anyone know the potential for the parking lots on Multnomah between Grand and 8th to be developed?
Story on Bikeportland about Pioneer Square and the potential of parking reform. Dead space surface parking lots like this need heavy incentive to develop.

There are so many spots in inner SE (example Ankeny and 7th) with so much potential.

[scleeb]

Originally Posted by Derek

What about SW Clay and 1st? The entrance to the Koin Center garage is located along Clay and the rest of it is a parking lot. I can't see them moving the courthouse too far away from the rest of the government buildings around Lownsdale Square, Chapman Square and Terry Schrunk Plaza.

I was thinking the KOIN Lot would be a smart option as well. What about the block that houses the Lotus Cafe and the decrepit Auditorium Building? While those buildings are historic in nature, it would be a killer location for a new government building. Maybe run with Novic's idea and add other city and county functions as well... Go 45 stories +

[MarkDaMan]

Why don't they just put it where they were going to. Move the westside Hawthorne Bridge off ramp and open up that full block, already owned by the county. They received $10M years ago to move the ramp, and never did.

[cityscapes]

Originally Posted by scleeb

Maybe run with Novic's idea and add other city and county functions as well... Go 45 stories +

I hope they consider this option. If the Portland Building also needs significant work and it warrants demolition too they could build one large building with City of Portland offices and courthouse space. I'm sure architects could easily find a design solution to allow the two functions to coexist in one structure.

[ltsmotorsport]

Originally Posted by MarkDaMan

Why don't they just put it where they were going to. Move the westside Hawthorne Bridge off ramp and open up that full block, already owned by the county. They received $10M years ago to move the ramp, and never did.

The block with the ramp and a smaller building? NE corner of 1st and Jefferson? That would be a great spot and block the view of the ugly parking garage from the waterfront a bit more.

[MarkDaMan]

^Nah, the block with the giant tree. Surrounded by Naito, Main, 1st and Madison. Although I was just thinking it would be nice to see something go up on the empty 3/4ths of open land/abandoned Hawthorne ramp on the block you mentioned.

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by scleeb

I was thinking the KOIN Lot would be a smart option as well. What about the block that houses the Lotus Cafe and the decrepit Auditorium Building? While those buildings are historic in nature, it would be a killer location for a new government building. Maybe run with Novic's idea and add other city and county functions as well... Go 45 stories +

I would hate to see that happen, there is too many beautiful old buildings on that block worth saving.

I could see the KOIN lot being a possibility through some sort of trade deal. I could also see the current Portland Building being razed and rebuilt, something that would fit both the courthouse and the Portland departments in it.


As for the current courthouse building, I hope the exterior of the building is saved and a tower is built in the core of it.

[Sioux612]

I think the consolidation of government offices from outside downtown into one building is a great idea.

Iirc the Koin lot has a limit of 200' or so. In other words, as long as the building doesn't disrupt the views from the Koin Tower condos.

The Portland building spot would be great to add a 45+floor tower. I agree that it's only a matter of time before it's torn down. No way do you pay the $100m to repair it.

The lot next to the PAC WEST tower is another location I'd look at.

James Beard Tower perhaps?

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by Sioux612

I think the consolidation of government offices from outside downtown into one building is a great idea.

Iirc the Koin lot has a limit of 200' or so. In other words, as long as the building doesn't disrupt the views from the Koin Tower condos.

The Portland building spot would be great to add a 45+floor tower. I agree that it's only a matter of time before it's torn down. No way do you pay the $100m to repair it.

The lot next to the PAC WEST tower is another location I'd look at.

James Beard Tower perhaps?

If you are referring to the Unitus Building, I doubt that one would ever get torn down. Actually I personally love that building.

[Derek]

It's probably PSU land, but the lot at SW 5th and Market would be a great location. I'm surprised it's just a parking lot (albeit a nice one).

[Derek]

Originally Posted by urbanlife

If you are referring to the Unitus Building, I doubt that one would ever get torn down. Actually I personally love that building.

I like it too. They did the plaza very nicely.

[philopdx]

The row of one floor buildings at 4th and Taylor would be a great spot. You'd lose the 7/11 and the Thai place, but what an underutilized block that is currently!

[Derek]

The one story 24 Hour Fitness with the parking on the roof is pretty bad too.

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by philopdx

The row of one floor building at 4th and Taylor would be a great spot. You'd lose the 7/11 and the Thai place, but what an underutilized block that is currently!

The site will probably have to be at least a full city block seeing they said the Hawthorne ramp site was too small and that was almost a full city block.

[65MAX]

I think the 4-block low-rise Oregon Square (immediately south of the 4-block Hassalo on Eighth project, in front of the domed State of Oregon Bldg) is a prime spot for redevelopment and easy access for all modes of transportation, including MAX, streetcar, autos and bikes. I could very easily see them building a new county courthouse in that location.

[Sioux612]

This lot (Koin) was brought up and for reference sake here is the block at the max height allowed: