Category Archives: Centennial Mills

Weekly Roundup: Centennial Mills, 3rd & Taylor, Veritable Quandary and more

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Centennial Mills

A sculpture park adjacent to the renovated Feed and Flour Mills was one of the options being explored for Centennial Mills by Harsch Investment Properties

With the fate of Centennial Mills uncertain, the Pearl District Neighborhood Association held a meeting to discuss the future of the site. Presenters included Jordan Schnitzer of Harsch Investment Properties, who had previously been selected as the developer for the property. The PDC allowed the memorandum of understanding between them and Harsch to expire in November, leaving open the possibility that all the buildings on site will be demolished. More information about the future of the property can be found at www.millmeeting.org.

Residents have started moving into the Union Apartments by GBD Architects, according to a story in The Oregonian.

Two historic buildings set to be demolished to make way for the 3rd and Taylor development have gained a temporary reprieve, according to the Portland Business Journal. The developers have agreed not to demolish the Ancient Order of United Workmen Temple or the Hotel Albion until at least April 30. The developers made the agreement with advocacy group Restore Oregon, who in return withdrew their appeal to the Land Use Board of Appeals. A blog post at the Restore Oregon site states that “while the development team continues to assert that saving the buildings is not financially feasible, they have been engaging with Restore Oregon and others about options that could retain the Workmen Temple.”

A topping out ceremony was held for the 21-story Yard building, with 30 people in attendance including Congressman Earl Blumenauer. The Skylab designed project has been gaining a lot of attention lately due to the changes made between the design review process and the issuance of the project’s building permit. The Daily Journal of Commerce reported that the situation could lead to changes to the City’s design review process in response.

The Oregonian reported that the restaurant Veritable Quandary will close this summer in order to make way for the new Multnomah County Courthouse. The County will demolish the restaurant building. The adjacent Jefferson Station building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will remain.

The Willamette Week noted that Commissioner Steve Novick has called out environmental activists for  failing to make the case that bigger and more dense housing can reduce car use.

The Portland Chronicle wrote that an apartment project proposed at 2915 SE Division St would likely see the demolition of a 106-year-old home.

 

Weekly Roundup: 3rd and Taylor, Clay Creative, Centennial Mills and more

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3rd and Taylor

The proposed developed at SW 3rd and Taylor by Ankrom Moisan Architects

Restore Oregon announced that they filed concurrent appeals to the City and to LUBA, arguing that the City erred in removing the Albion Hotel and Ancient Order of United Workmen Temple from the Historic Resource Inventory. The buildings are threatened by the development at 3rd and Taylor.

Online bank Simple will be the anchor tenant for Clay Creative, according to a story in the Portland Business Journal. The new space will be “nearly double the size of Simple’s current home and will be able to accommodate 500 people.”

Writing about Framework, the proposed 12 story building in the Pearl, the Portland Mercury looked at how the use of wood in high rise construction could “help solve the city’s affordability problem, create living-wage jobs in rural communities, and help save the planet”

The Portland Business Journal reported that the concrete slab for the AC Hotel by Marriott was poured last weekend. The pour included 1,100 cubic yards of concrete, enough “to cover a football field with a six-inch slab.”

The Daily Journal of Commerce published construction photos of the Burnside Bridgehead Block 75, which has now reached its maximum height. The project is scheduled for completion in mid-2016.

The Portland Development Commission has walked away from a deal with Harsch Investment Properties for development on the site of Centennial Mills, determining that it wasn’t financially viable. Partial demolition is currently underway on the long vacant site. The current demolition work will leave the feed and flour mills in place, but with no plan in place for what to do with them a decision will need to be made in the new year whether to also demolish those buildings.

In a piece on Division Street, KGW looked at how it “got so popular and why the growth is causing problems for people who live, work and dine at Portland’s new restaurant row”.

The Portland Chronicle reported that demolition is likely imminent on two single family homes at 1515 SE 44th, which will be replaced by a four-story mixed-use development with 30 residential units facing SE Hawthorne Blvd.

Landmarks Commission presents State of the City Preservation Report

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The Block 8L building in Skidmore Old Town, which is now under construction. The design was cited as an example of the positive contribution made by the Historic Landmarks Commission during their review.

The Block 8L building in Skidmore Old Town, which is now under construction. The design was cited as an example of the positive contribution made by the Historic Resource Review process.

The Historic Landmarks Commission has presented its 2015 State of City Preservation Report to the Portland City Council. The report gave an update to the Council on the work of the Commission, made suggestions for priorities to be addressed in the coming year and identified potential threats to historic resources in the city. Presenting the report was outgoing Chair Brian Emerick, joined by Commission member Kirk Ranzetta. A similar report was delivered earlier in the year by the Design Commission.

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Weekly Roundup: 12 story wood building, Towne Storage, Zidell Blocks 4 & 6, and more

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The proposed 12 story wood building by Beneficial State Bank at 430 NW 10th

The proposed 12 story wood building by Beneficial State Bank at 430 NW 10th

The Oregonian reported that a planned 12 story tall wood building at 430 NW 10th in the Pearl has been awarded a $1.5 million grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The building by Lever Architecture for Beneficial State Bank will utilize Cross Laminated Timber, a structural system that has been proven elsewhere but has been little used in the USA. The USDA grant will help in covering the cost of getting the system approved under the building codes in place in Oregon.

Eater PDX reported that Northwest Portland institution Besaw’s will reopen in time for the holidays, at the LL Hawkins apartment building on Conway Block 296.

At Portland Architecture Brian Libby looked into the fate of Centennial Mills, and asked whether it will be the next historic landmark in Portland to be demolished.

The Portland Business Journal published the first renderings of Zidell Blocks 4 and 6. The two office buildings by Lever Architecture / GBD Architects are scheduled to go before the Design Commission for Design Advice this coming Thursday.

A major renovation and seismic upgrade is planned for the Towne Storage Building. The Portland Business Journal reported that the project will create over 100,000 sq ft of creative office space. A story in the Portland Mercury noted that 52 existing business and 180 renters with mini storage units will be evicted from the building.

A redevelopment of the former Premier Press building at 1440 Hoyt will add 4 new floors to the building, reported the Portland Business Journal. When complete the project will include 75,000 sq ft of Class A office space. A Design Review hearing for the project is scheduled for October 1st.

Mayor Hales is “bullish” on plans to buy the Post Office site in the Pearl, reported KOIN. Conceptual ideas for how the site might be developed were recently released as part of the Broadway Corridor Framework Plan.

Construction is underway on the remodel of the building formerly home to The Oregonian, originally designed by noted architect Pietro Belluschi. When reopened 1320 Broadway will include areas with ceilings up to 28′ high, reported The Portland Business Journal.

The Daily Journal of Commerce published construction photos of Riverscape Lot 8.

The Portland Habilitation Center recently completed work on an apartment complex at 17199 SE Division St, reports the Portland Tribune. By keeping costs low, the buildings were built for $65,000 a unit; far below the $200,000 a unit cost typically associated with publicly funded affordable housing. In the article Rob Justus of the PHC asks why the Portland Housing Bureau hasn’t gotten behind their alternative method for delivering affordable housing.

Weekly Roundup: Riverplace affordable housing, SE Quadrant Plan and more

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Riverplace Parcel 3

Riverplace Parcel 3

The Oregonian reported that the Portland Development Commission has picked a development team that includes Williams & Dame and BRIDGE Housing for Riverplace Parcel 3. The $93 million project will include 203 units of affordable housing, 162 units of market rate housing and 30,000 sq ft of retail.

In a 4-0 vote, the City Council approved the SE Quadrant Plan, a part of the Central City 2035 plan. The document will guide development in the Central Eastside for the next 20 years.

As the PDC gets ready to begin selective demolition at Centennial Mills, the Mayor’s office has asked the PDC to look whether the entire complex should be demolished. The current plan is to save the feed mill, the flour mill and the mounted patrol unit, but there is currently insufficient funds to bring them back into use.

Community Visions, a non profit that helps people with disabilities live independently in their homes, is moving forward with plans for the Seven Corners Community Collaborative. An article in The Oregonian described their ambitions for the building.

Mexican restaurant Rocio’s has opened in the Creston Lofts. Eater PDX published photos of the new space.

The Oregonian reported that the owners of City Liquidators are working on plans for a privately owned park with associated mixed use development at 711 SE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. The new open space, tentatively named Pelett Park, could include food carts and patio seating for Le Bistro Montage.

Metro Reports: demolition at Centennial Mills, new offices on N Albina, apartments SE 18th & Madison and more

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The PDC has applied for a demolition permit for all the buildings at Centennial Mills, other than the Feed Mill and Flour Mill

The PDC has applied for a demolition permit for all the buildings at Centennial Mills, other than the Feed Mill and Flour Mill

Every week, the Bureau of Development services publishes lists of early assistance applications, land use reviews and building permits. We publish the highlights.

Dutch Brothers Coffee has requested Early Assistance for a new drive through location at 3420 SE 50th Ave:

New drive through coffee company (Dutch Bros.) with associated parking,maneuvering,and lasncape improvements. Stormwater will be infiltrated onsite.

MVG Development of Denver, CO has requested Early Assistance for a project at 555 SE 99th Ave:

New development in Gateway plan district wtih modifications/adjustments to standards

A Pre-Application Conference has been scheduled for a project at SE 18th & Madison:

Preapplication conference for a conditional use. 120unit apartment building with ground level parking.

Lever Architecture has applied for a Type II Design Review for a project at 4703 N Albina:

New 4-story office building, adjacent 2-story accessory building, and common public courtyard.

The Portland Development Commission has applied for a demolition permit for a number of buildings at Centennial Mills:

Emergency demo to slab foundations and salvage of all structures, excluding the feed and mill structures. Site to be secured following demo. See 14-251340-DB

Weekly Roundup: the Society Hotel, the Loyal Legion and more

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The Society Hotel will open this summer

The Society Hotel will open this summer

  • The Portland Business Journal reported that Jama Software, the anchor tenant for Melvin Mark’s 2&Taylor building, is ready to move in.  The project is a redevelopment of the former Yamhill Marketplace.
  • The demolition of the former University Station post office began. The site is owned by St Mary’s Academy, who plan on expanding their campus. Although still in the early stages of planning, the Oregonian reported on what might be housed in the expansion.
  • The Society Hotel, a redevelopment of a long vacant building in Old Town, is set to open this summer. The Portland Business Journal had a look at the construction progress.
  • The City Council was scheduled to vote on the rezoning for the MAC Block 7 apartments. The applicants have now decided to complete a City Center Parking Review before the City Council makes its final decision.
  • The Waterline Apartments on NW Front Ave have begun pre-leasing.
  • At Portland Architecture, Brian Libby expanded on his CityLab article about Centennial Mills, with more extracts from his conversation with Jordan Schnitzer. Meanwhile, the RFP process for selective demolition of the buildings in worst condition is ongoing.
  • Chefstable plans to open The Loyal Legion, a beer hall with 99 Oregon beers on tap, in the former Portland Police Athletic Association building.

Weekly Roundup: Park Avenue West, bar closures, Centennial Mills and more

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November 21, 2013 LU 13-214772 DZ - Drawings - 05

Street level view of Park Avenue West

  • There were no City Council or Design Commission hearings this week, due to the Christmas holiday.
  • In “Closing Time” the Willamette Week wrote about the many Portland bars that will have closed by the end of 2014, including Magic Gardens, which closes on New Year’s Eve. The strip club occupied a space in the Overland Warehouse Company building, which is due to be converted into creative office space.
  • An article by Brian Libby at Citylab asked whether Jordan Schnitzer can save Centennial Mills.
  • The Portland Chronicle published photos of Spring Market at SE 31st and Hawthorne, which is slated to be redeveloped by VWR Development and TVA Architects as a mixed use building with apartments over retail.
  • Another blog post at the Portland Chronicle contained photos of the Pearl garage set to be torn down for Vallaster Corl’s Couch9 project.
  • In “Nerves of steel: Building the Park Avenue West Tower in Portland” the Oregonian published photos and wrote about the construction of the skyscraper set to be the third tallest building in the city.

Weekly roundup: 4th & Harrison, OHSU, Society Hotel and more

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November192014EA14-220633DAR-4thampHarrison-PostingNotice-2_zps6e6ce205

The 4th & Harrison student housing project had its first Design Advice session this week

  • The City Council heard evidence for and against the proposed demolition of the Buck Prager Building at 1727 NW Hoyt. The hearing will be continued on December 18th.
  • The Design Commission offered Design Advice on the St Francis Park Apartments and the 4th & Harrison student housing. A Design Review hearing for Jefferson 14 was postponed until December 18th.
  • In an article titled ‘Arcade Games Are Better III‘ Places over Time wrote about 419 Burnside.
  • The Portland Business Journal reported that “some of the structures that comprise Centennial Mills could very well collapse into the Willamette River if they’re not torn down — and fast.”
  • In an article about affordable housing in the North Macadam Urban Renewal Area, the Oregonian reported that the Portland Housing Bureau are planning a  a mixed-use project to include affordable housing at SW Moody & River Parkway.
  • The blog History Treasured & Sometimes Endangered wrote about an art installation at the Mariner’s Home Building on NW 3rd and NW Davis. The building is currently being converted into the Society Hotel.
  • The Portland Chronicle published photos of the site at 4937 SE Division St set to be redeveloped as 134 apartment units, with SERA as its architect.
  • The Portland Business Journal wrote about construction progress at the former Red Lion, currently being transformed into the Hotel Eastlund.
  • The Daily Journal of Commerce reported that OHSU is close to signing contracts for two South Waterfront projects [subscription required]. According to the article, ZGF Architects have been chosen to design the Center for Health & Healing II and SRG Partnership have been chosen for the Schnitzer Campus Building III.