Most Endangered Places Nominations Due Monday, Preservation in Union, and Some Portland Advocacy News

[Brandon Spencer-Hartle]

If you weren't one of the 400 or so people who came to HPLO events over the past two weeks, then there's a lot to fill you in on. First, Steven Semes' program on compatibility and new traditional architecture got people talking about the look and feel of new design in historic areas, especially in Portland's cast iron district (the presentation was video recorded--if anyone wants a copy let us know). Second, the Preservation Roundtable provided a great opportunity to see some of Jacksonville's best brick structures and, of course, engage in conversations about the obstacles and opportunities for rehabilitating masonry buildings (the May session in Astoria promises to be just as good). Finally, the Portland mayoral candidate debate packed the White Stag auditorium to the brim, providing a robust opportunity to hear the candidates' visions for preservation, design, and livability.

In addition to all of that, now is the time to get those 2012 Most Endangered Places nominations in for review. The deadline for submission is Monday so if you've yet to nominate that special place then you know what you have to do.

What else is going on across Oregon you might ask. Well here's this week's Roundup: 

Eugene. A fun story about the century-long history of a venerable Eugene restaurant. 

Jacksonville. The HPLO's first Preservation Roundtable session of 2012 was well-attended by a spectrum of masonry building stakeholders who were eager to talk about regulation, incentives, and seismic retrofits. News articles on the event can be found here and here and some pictures are included in this post. 

Medford. The Holly Theatre's marquee gets switched 'on' next month as part of the major rehab project. 

Portland. A panel discussion on Old Town exposed some of the divergent options on the future of the neighborhood (the article also notes that a local developer is planning a "compatible" project adjacent to Skidmore Fountain); the Building Portland blog takes on some related issues pertaining to parking; HPLO board member Hal Ayotte has been selected for the 2012 McMath Award; the Custom House has sold to an East Coast real estate firm; the German American Society is rehabilitating their building at NE Sandy and Alameda; the O's opinion pages features a preservation op-ed by Steven Semes and Michael Mehaffy; the Jantzen Beach carousel is set to close in April (there's a Facebook group with more info here); and a falling tree damaged the Park Blocks' St. James Lutheran Church.  

Statewide. As mentioned before, get those Most Endangered Places nominations in by Monday! 

Union. The council wants to implement a preservation ordinance. 

Warm Springs. The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs is getting a significant preservation grant. 

That's it for this week! Thanks to HPLO board members Matthew Roman and Liz Carter for the photos of Jacksonville.