Update on the Dirty Duck

Yesterday afternoon, Portland City Council voted 4-1 in favor of demolishing the Kiernan Building, popularly known as the Dirty Duck Tavern building. In an astonishing move, the Council went against the recommendations of both Bureau of Development Services staff and the Portland Landmarks Commission. Since the implementation of new demolition review guidelines in 2004, no building listed as a contributing resource in a National Register Historic District, has met such a fate. Whether the City Council agrees or not, this was a precedent setting vote that could lead to future similar demolitions. Let’s hope that’s not the case, but now only time will tell.

Update: Portland Firefighters Memorial

Someone recently started an online petition to encourage the preservation of the memorial. You can find out more here.

One of the best ways to protect the memorial from dismantling, is to have it listed in the National Register of Historic places. It takes a bit of work to get this done, but because the site has definite historic merit and integrity, it is a good candidate for such a listing. The Oregon State Historic Preservation Office agrees that this is a good candidate for a nomination, all that is needed is someone to take up the task.

Meanwhile, we’ve been told that a professional conservator has looked at the memorial and that it is certainly restorable.

Repair First!

A recent blog post at Green Preservationist, got me thinking once again about preservation language, and also raised the question of how to promote the repair of our older homes rather than following the well-entrenched rip out and replace model.

How do we best encourage homeowners to think repair first before climbing aboard the remodel treadmill?

Windows are the most obvious example of a house part that can, in most instances, be repaired. This is especially true of older wood-framed windows, likely made from old-growth fir. They can be re-glazed, weatherstripped and the surrounds can be caulked. Preserving these original details, preserves the original character of the home and the original designer’s intent, and let’s face it, when we’re talking about houses constructed 50-100 years ago, we know that the architects and designers had intentions that do not take well to the use of vinyl or many other modern materials.

Likewise with interior details. I recently attended an open house for a fantastic Mid-Century Modern house that retained most of its original materials, including fantastic windows with built-in pull-down screens and bathrooms that had never been altered. I was aghast at the realtor who repeatedly suggested ideas like ripping out the baths, the kitchen, and replacing the windows. All of those details that were being extolled as needing replacement, were in fact, in great condition.

We desperately need to re-think how we approach homes, and look at them with a repair first mindset. If we continue to replace first, we will diminish our architectural heritage, but more importantly, the consumptive replacement mindset will not lead us to a sustainable future.

All About Modernism

Many of you might already be aware that tonight is the Rose Quarter Development Project unveiling of the 95 or so suggestions for re-use of the Memorial Coliseum. It’s not too late to attend. More info is here.

In March, the Northwest Film Center will be screening two interesting films on Modernism. March 17th they will be showing Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman and on March 21st and 24th they will be screening Rem Koolhaas: A Kind of Architect. Both films should be interesting and useful in raising awareness about the significance of what we term the architecture of the “recent past”.

Standard Plaza (1963) Architects: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Further afield, the Bosco-Milligan Foundation/Architectural Heritage Center will be hosting a program on Modernism June 19th, in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The details of the program are still being worked out, but the goal is again to point out how modern can definitely be historic and to engage. Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the date.

Endangered: Portland Firefighters Memorial

According to today’s Oregonian, it looks like that little sliver of land at 18th and West Burnside might soon lose its Firefighters Memorial. This space may not seem like much, but in a sea of traffic and in the shadow of the Civic, the memorial park represents the only bit of solemnity for blocks. The memorial was reportedly designed by Portland architect E.F. Tucker and Paul Philipe Cret, a graduate of the École des Beaux-Arts  and designer of several war memorials around the U.S. and in Europe. The bronze bas-relief work is attributed to Avard Fairbanks – one of the most distinguished U.S. sculptors of the 20th century. If you are interested, a

Firefighters Cleaning Memorial in 1948

local group has started a Facebook group Save Portland Firefighters Parkhas formed in hopes of raising enough support to save the memorial where it is, rather than have it relocated -  in piecemeal fashion – to the east side of the Hawthorne Bridge. Shouldn’t this memorial have already been designated a local landmark?

The Firefighters Memorial - 1935

Goings on over on SE Ankeny or What’s in a Zone Change?

The 1903 Pacific States Telephone & Telegraph    Building at 532 SE Ankeny is a fantastic piece of architecture in Portland’s Central East Side. The former home of the Sally Mack School of Dance, is recognized as a primary resource within the East Portland Grand Avenue Historic District. To the rear of the building, on SE 6th, is a modest little wood-framed Italianate building, dating to perhaps 1871, which would make it one of the oldest buildings on the east side of town. This building too is part of the historic district. In fact, these two structures represent the northeastern corner of the district – so what’s the big deal, they’re protected, right?

Recently the property owner applied to change the zoning, that if approved, would allow them to reduce the number of required parking spaces – among other things. Seems innocuous enough, until it was discovered that the owner’s intention is to move one or  more of these buildings to maximize the redevelopment potential. As of 12/31, the Bureau of Development Services recommended approval of the zone change.

This issue gets to the heart of something we are increasingly concerned about – something we call “truth in permitting”. While the property owner admitted that the zone change was a first step toward a redevelopment of the property, the zoning change request was not put before the Portland Landmarks Commission, who typically review development that involves designated historic buildings.

In fact this was the BDS response to our concerns:  “Information regarding the potential impacts to the historic district is not relevant to this review and therefore will not be discussed in the findings of the staff report.”

In a nut shell, even though a redevelopment has been suggested, it is looked at as a completely separate issue.  Neither Landmarks – nor anyone else for that matter – are given a voice on the “historic” issue, even though it will certainly lead directly to a Landmarks review once the actual development and building move is proposed. It seems that the more appropriate response would be for the BDS to notify all entities from the outset. It is just this sort of pigeon-holed review that increases animosity between area residents, developers, and the City.

We’re keeping our eyes open for what happens next, but we certainly hope that the buildings are some day rehabilitated and that they both remain part of the historic district of which they are integral components.

The Dirty Duck and a Test of Local Preservation Policy

As noted in Monday’s Daily Journal of Commerce, the Portland Development Commission City of Portland has applied to demolish the old Dirty Duck Tavern building – a contributing structure in the New Chinatown/Japantown National Register Historic District. As proposed, the project would replace the Dirty Duck building with a new 3-4 story building for the Blanchet House, who currently occupy the only other building on the block. There are several things we are concerned about on this issue:

First, as noted above, the building is recognized as a contributing structure in the New Chinatown/Japantown Historic District. This designation is the only reason for the demolition review. In other words, if this modest building cannot be protected from the wrecking ball, then what can?

Second, there are only two buildings left on this entire block which represents the northeastern corner of the historic district. Removing the one structure would likely doom the old Blanchet House building as well and thereby weaken the overall integrity of the historic district.

Third, the fact that there is already a bunch of empty space on most of the block should not be ignored. Apparently, the PDC City has a long-term lease with NW Natural to use that empty space as a parking lot. Wouldn’t it be a better idea to put that parking area to highest and best use by renegotiating the lease and using that space for a new Blanchet House?

The Portland Landmarks Commission will be reviewing the demolition request on Monday, January 11th. This represents a real test of the demolition review policy established by the City back in 2004. We encourage anyone concerned to let the PDC and the City Council know about it. More information about the proposal can be found here.

Updating the Language of Preservation

In a recent essay in Period Homes magazine, Clem Labine, the magazine’s founder (he’s also the founder of the Old House Journal), pointed out the need for historic preservationists to “reset” their vocabulary in order to adjust to the changing perceptions of younger generations as well as current economic conditions.

In the same vein, noted preservation economist Donovan Rypkema has asserted the need for the historic preservation movement to better align itself with the rest of the world by becoming more about “heritage conservation, rather than historic preservation.”

Certainly we need to engage younger audiences in historic preservation (or heritage conservation if you prefer) if we hope to keep the cause relevant in the coming decades.

I hope you’ll take a look at the links I included above, so we can begin this much-needed dialogue. And please, let us know what you think should be done to address changing demographics, vocabulary, and the preservation movement.

Update on Washington High School – Proposed Community Center

Last week, Bosco-Milligan Foundation Board Vice President Fred Leeson attended the latest meeting of the Washington High School Community Center Citizen’s Advisory Committee.  Here is his take on the latest events surrounding this important Buckman Neighborhood landmark:

A month ago, preservationists’ hopes rose when they heard that an
unidentified developer with strong preservation credentials was interested
in buying the old Washington High School, converting most of the building to housing and allowing Portland Parks & Rec to lease some or all of the ground floor as part of a a new Southeast Portland Community Center.By comparison, an earlier plan calling for three stories would have been more expensive to build and would have blocked more views to and from the old high school, whatever its eventual use turns out to be.

Schultz said he has not met yet with the unnamed developer, and does not
know details about what the developer has in mind for Washington.  Susan
Lindsay, chair of the advisory committee, said the developer told her he is
looking at building 45 to 50 housing units, and plans to keep the
second-floor auditorium intact, along with many of the existing hallways and public spaces.  Lindsay said the developer would like to find a use for the auditorium that does not attract large numbers of cars to Buckman’s crowded streets; she said rehearsal space for performance groups is one idea.

Just a few weeks later, progress seems to be being made at a rapid pace.
The developer, still not identified publicly, has met with the Portland
Development Commission to discuss housing options and is exploring all
available historic preservation tax credits.  PPS has commissioned an update of an appraisal on the building, which is supposed to be finished by
middle-January.  The district also plans to issue a “request for
information” to see if any other developers are interested in buying the
long-vacant high school.  Doug Capps, a PPS facilities manager, told an
advisory committee on Tuesday evening (12-1) that an offer on the building
could be submitted to the School board as soon as March or April.

Meanwhile, SERA Architects of Portland is working with Parks and the
citizens committee on tentative plans for the community center.  At this
point, SERA is suggesting one version that would include about half the
ground floor of Washington with a new building with pools and a gymn nearby; and a second version that would be a free-standing, all-in-one “fallback” version if the deal with Washington High does not materialize.

The scheme that includes Washington has some obvious benefits.  Schultz
proposes putting meeting rooms, art rooms and “passive” activities in the
old high school, while the new building would have a gym, two pools, locker rooms, administrative space and all other “active” uses, including exercise rooms.  Using the old high school would keep the new building to a single story, which would save construction costs and be more compatible with the neighborhood, Schultz told the advisory committee.  His tentative plan also includes potential for an attractive public plaza between the school and the new community building.

Schultz also recommended that the “fallback” version be limited to a single
tall story by placing fitness rooms in a loft overlooking the gym.  The
advisory committee members liked the lower profile of both options, but
clearly preferred the idea of using the ground floor of the old high school,
if possible.

Overall, “The news is good,” Lindsay said.  “There haven’t been any major
roadblocks so far.”

More on the Portland Plan

The City now has a link for folks to download and print (if you don’t mind printing hundreds of pages) Background Reports for the Portland Plan. Included in these reports are a couple of important documents discussing Historic Resources. We certainly encourage anyone interested to check these out and give the City your feedback. Here’s the link: http://www.portlandonline.com/portlandplan/index.cfm?c=51427