Old Town/Chinatown News

[sopdx]

Great news! What we also need is a nice lounge.

[colossalorder]

Great to hear! Looking forward to checking it out. That really anchors a lot of gay nightlife in the area. Helps to create a critical mass of bar/club hopping. Its a bummer that Rebel Rebel couldn't hold on. That was a great place with unique vibe.

Total non sequitur question. Does anyone know if there are any plans for that parking lot at 4th/5th and Couch/Davis? In my fantasy Portland that would transform into an Asian night market on weekends with amazing street food stalls. One of my grievances with Portland is how hard it is to find a place to eat after 9pm. Imagine hitting the bars/clubs and then absorbing the booze with some amazing noodles before you head home.

[maccoinnich]

Notice Of A Type Ix Proposal for the conversion of the Mason Ehrman building and annex to residential.

[maccoinnich]

Via Portland Maps, office-to-residential at 321 NW Glisan St:

Conversion of seven story office building to residential use. No exterior changes. Zoning Code secons being addressed and Adjustments sought:33.130.230.B Ground floor windowsAdjustment #1: Ground floor windows for non-dwelling use at South façade = 30 %. Requirement is 40%.Adjustment #2: Ground floor windows for non-dwelling use at West Façade = 0 %. Requirement is 25%.Adjustment #3: Ground floor windows for non-dwelling use at East Façade = 0 %. Requirement is 25%.Adjustment #4: Ground floor windows for dwelling use at West Façade = 13 %. Requirement is 25%.Adjustment #5: Ground floor windows for dwelling use at East Façade = 0 %. Requirement is 25%.33.130.230.A Windows in street facing facadesAdjustment #6: Street facing windows in West Façade = 8 %. Requirement is 25%.Adjustment #7: Street facing windows in East Façade = 10 %. Requirement is 25%.

I recall that PNCA leased some space at one point, which I assume they now longer occupy. Did it ever have any other tenants?

[eric cantona]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

I recall that PNCA leased some space at one point, which I assume they now longer occupy. Did it ever have any other tenants?

Cool! Assume they'll punch windows on the backside. The building behind it could be perfect for some NY style lofts.

[DMH]

I am puzzled by information that I have gleaned in the press about the visionary Made in Old Town project, which received a boost of seed money from the most recent session of the Oregon Legislature. In this particular article, https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/mark...ca/ar-BB1loVxW there are renderings that include historic buildings that have other redevelopment plans in the works for them. For instance, the two buildings on the east side of NW 5th Avenue between Davis and Everett Streets are in the process of being converted to housing, as discussed elsewhere in this thread. Furthermore, the historic building at the NW corner of NW 4th and Davis has been purchased by a nonprofit with religious affiliations to be converted into a kind of homeless help center with shelter beds.

Does anyone on this site know which buildings in Old Town are actually the ones that would house the mega-incubator for innovative shoe design and production?

[Rob Nob]

Originally Posted by DMH

Does anyone on this site know which buildings in Old Town are actually the ones that would house the mega-incubator for innovative shoe design and production?

The 1905 "Enterprise Building" at 406 NW Glisan Street?

[DMH]

Originally Posted by Rob Nob

The 1905 "Enterprise Building" at 406 NW Glisan Street

Very interesting! That is the same building that was purchased by a pair of Black shoe industry entrepreneurs for the purpose of creating an art center for people of color. Refer to this 2023 Oregonian article:
https://www.oregonlive.com/entertain...-old-town.html

Does anyone on this site know more of this story? Did the pair of partners switch gears to become part of this innovative incubator project?

[PhillyPDX]

Originally Posted by downtownpdx

Yeah not good, but not terribly surprising taking into account Covid/work from home, the 2020 riots, and just the fact that Portland has so many other lively, hip neighborhoods nearby without the social ills of a downtown. The city center has improved a lot since 2020 as far as cleaning up etc, but we gotta move past triage phase - it’s going to take some bold, creative vision to make DT a place people actively choose to live over NW, Mississippi, Sellwood, Central Eastside…. etc etc.

Saw this yesterday. Darcelle Showplace at risk of going out of biz. Interesting statement though. Besides Darcelle passing, saying people don't even want to come down at night.

“Between Darcelle passing and coming out of COVID, people are still hesitant to come to Old Town, so we’re doing our best to work with our neighbors to make sure Old Town is thriving. We started a brunch show and that’s our biggest seller. That’s a reflection that people prefer to come to Old Town in the daytime,” Cook said.

https://www.koin.com/news/portland/d...ness-07242024/

[FiveOverPun]

If we want people to hang out in Old Town at night, I feel like we're going to need transit options that run both later and more frequently. I can walk to Old Town easily enough, but for most people the 30+ minute frequency is going to be a deal-breaker. Easier to just do something closer to home.

[maccoinnich]

It's on the edge of the district, but Badlands has been very very busy every time I've been since opening. Hopefully that bodes well for the neighborhood.

[colossalorder]

I think Darcelle's troubles are more micro than macro. Mad respect for the legend, who was absolutely the draw when she was alive, but that show is so tired. Its a pretty canned program that really caters to tourists and bridal showers these days. They need a total reset to bring in locals regularly. Seriously time to move on from The Weather Girls. Hallelujah!

Confirming maccoinnich's point. Badlands is thriving. We've been a couple of times and its not just crowded but its absolutely popping with energy. I firmly believe that if you build a great venue or organize a compelling event, people will come. I don't think the neighborhood is that much of a constraint, but you need a real reason to get them off their screens and go out.

[2oh1]

Originally Posted by colossalorder

I think Darcelle's troubles are more micro than macro. Mad respect for the legend, who was absolutely the draw when she was alive, but that show is so tired. Its a pretty canned program that really caters to tourists and bridal showers these days. They need a total reset to bring in locals regularly. Seriously time to move on from The Weather Girls. Hallelujah!

And if ever there were a time to do it, this is the time. Darcelle's passing needs to also serve as a passing of the torch. I hope they manage to do it.

[downtownpdx]

Seems like something that could really make a difference in the recent issues of open drug use :

https://www.koin.com/news/portland/o...tion-services/

Portland launches outreach hub for addiction services after pilot program success

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Efforts to create a partnership between law enforcement and outreach workers are ready to launch after a pilot program found success in getting people off the streets and into treatment, according to city leaders.

The Provider-Police Joint Connection Project began as a partnership between the Mental Health and Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO) and the Portland Police Bureau’s Bike Squad, which proved successful after it was launched as a pilot program in December 2023.

Located in the heart of downtown Portland, the leased space at Mercy Corps’ headquarters coordinated efforts to help people struggling with addiction and connected them with services for treatment and housing options while building trust within the community.

However, the hub in question was not client-facing or a place where people could go to receive assistance. The Mercy Corps building was only available for law enforcement and outreach professionals, providing a space for them to operate.

Now the outreach hub is getting a permanent base of operations with funding from the City of Portland, Multnomah County and the state.

...continues

[maccoinnich]

Proposed adaptive reuse of the Oregon Casket building at 403 NW 5th Ave (via Portland Maps). I don't think this building has been occupied in decades.

Adaptive reuse of five-story, 25,000 gross square foot building, known as the Oregon Casket Building. Existing permitted use includes B, M and S-1 occupancy. Proposed use includes 34 residential units, including two live-work units at the ground floor, and one retail unit. Exterior scope of work limited to rehabilitation of existing windows and doors, reconstruction of storefront along NW 5th and addition of screening for rooftop mechanical equipment and elevator over-run. Existing stormwater conveyance and disposal preserved. Existing utility vault under the sidewalk along NW Flanders and access to vault preserved.

[sopdx]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

Proposed adaptive reuse of the Oregon Casket building at 403 NW 5th Ave (via Portland Maps). I don't think this building has been occupied in decades.

Isn't this the third adaptive reuse we've seen in OT/CT this year?
Perhaps the equation making this doable is working out in this part of town rather than in DT

[DMH]

Originally Posted by sopdx

Isn't this the third adaptive reuse we've seen in OT/CT this year?
Perhaps the equation making this doable is working out in this part of town rather than in DT

I think that Old Town/ Chinatown has a big part of the equation: Smaller buildings of 1/4 block or less producing smaller floor plates with shorter distances to window walls, pretty large operable windows, and low real estate values so residential projects pencil out.

[maccoinnich]

It's the fourth potential project I can think of, although only the Overland Warehouse has gotten as far as submitting for building permit.

1. Oregon Casket Building, 403 NW 5th Ave
2. Mason Ehrman Building, 234 NW 5th Ave
3. Falcon Building, 321 NW Glisan
4. Overland Warehouse (Cityteam Portland), 219 NW 4th Ave

[maccoinnich]

Notice of Decision for the conversion of the Mason Ehrman Building at 234 NW 5th Ave

[maccoinnich]

On the Prosper Portland Board agenda this Wednesday:

Action Item: Authorizing a Construction Loan to Falcon Building LLC in an Amount Not to Exceed $4,352,000 for Construction of an Office-to-Residential Building Conversion Project at 321 NW Glisan Street

Report 24-36
Resolution 7552