Docomomo US reacts to proposed “reconstruction” of the Portland Building

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Docomomo US Staff

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Endangered, Threatened, Portland Building
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On Monday, July 3rd, Docomomo US submitted a formal letter to the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission on the proposed "reconstruction" of Michael Graves historic 1982 Portland Public Service Building (Portland Building). 

The letter was written in response to the planned "reconstruction" of the Portland Public Service Building (Portland Building) to cover the original exterior fabric and in turn replicate, more or less, the original design of the Portland Building.

Docomomo US is extremely concerned by this “new preservation”, which creates a significant precedent suggesting to others inaccurately how future projects could approach the Standards, eroding the importance of historic materials when considering historic integrity. 

The Portland Historic Landmarks Commission will vote on the project July 24th, 2017. In the meantime, Docomomo US will continue to monitor this issue and support the ongoing efforts of the Docomomo US/Oregon chapter.

 

Read the Docomomo US letter

 

Additional Material

Docomomo US/Oregon letter

National Park Service letter to Oregon SHPO noting the building could be de-listed from the National Register.

City staff report and letter of recommendation for the project to move forward.

All documents submitted as testimony to the HLC

The Portland Building Reconstruction Project document