250 Taylor & Hyatt Unbound | 130'-0" & 245'-6" | 10 & 21 floors | Completed & Dead

[downtownpdx]

That’ll be a nice addition to the area.. kind of the opposite of what happened on the Ritz block.

[AdamUrbanist]

Foodcarts are better than a parking lot so I'll take it. But this area really needs more activity. Even just a handful of new residentail (or hotel) builidngs in this area would make a big difference.

[pdxsg34]

Originally Posted by AdamUrbanist

Foodcarts are better than a parking lot so I'll take it. But this area really needs more activity. Even just a handful of new residentail (or hotel) builidngs in this area would make a big difference.

The immediate area represents challenges, IMO, for residential, given the proximity of the World Trade Center, MOH courthouse, several other government and office buildings, and even the AC Hotel. I don't believe we're at or anywhere near a need for additional high rise hotel projects given our current and foreseeable economic state. Maybe this might be a location for a large multi-use activity center? When I lived in Manhatten, there was a 7-8 story activity center that had everything... kids play areas and "discovery zone" type features, basketball courts, swimming pools, event spaces, several restaurants and a grand floor beer hall. I tried but failed to find it online, but an "attraction/activity" type usage of a building might work in that spot, given its surroundings.

[Derek]

Originally Posted by AdamUrbanist

Foodcarts are better than a parking lot so I'll take it. But this area really needs more activity. Even just a handful of new residentail (or hotel) builidngs in this area would make a big difference.

The area might be a little more welcoming if the Justice Center ever decides to take the plywood down from the windows and entrances.

[RED_PDXer]

A food cart pod would do really well in that location, two blocks from the courthouse. I work across the street and every day at lunch time, the jurors from the courthouse empty out looking for food, in addition to us office workers.

The Justice Center may still have some plywood on windows facing the park, but the other three sides are no longer boarded up.

[Derek]

Originally Posted by RED_PDXer

The Justice Center may still have some plywood on windows facing the park, but the other three sides are no longer boarded up.

Right, so the main entrance.

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by Derek

The area might be a little more welcoming if the Justice Center ever decides to take the plywood down from the windows and entrances.

At this point, I am surprised Portland Police haven't proposed encasing the building in concrete

[DMH]

Originally Posted by urbanlife

At this point, I am surprised Portland Police haven't proposed encasing the building in concrete

I find the neglect and physical abuse of the Justice Center exterior to be painful and appalling. I was on the design team for all of the indoor public spaces. We worked hard to make a beautiful public building for all, incorporating Portland art with the architecture like the west-facing arched window by Ed Carpenter and the west loggia ceiling coffers adorned with Liz Mapelli tiles. Letting the building go makes me sick.

[uncommon.name]

Originally Posted by DMH

I find the neglect and physical abuse of the Justice Center exterior to be painful and appalling. I was on the design team for all of the indoor public spaces. We worked hard to make a beautiful public building for all, incorporating Portland art with the architecture like the west-facing arched window by Ed Carpenter and the west loggia ceiling coffers adorned with Liz Mapelli tiles. Letting the building go makes me sick.

People need to stop damaging public/private properties for their "causes".

[Derek]

There hasn’t been any “riots” for years….

[DMH]

Originally Posted by DMH

I find the neglect and physical abuse of the Justice Center exterior to be painful and appalling. I was on the design team for all of the indoor public spaces. We worked hard to make a beautiful public building for all, incorporating Portland art with the architecture like the west-facing arched window by Ed Carpenter and the west loggia ceiling coffers adorned with Liz Mapelli tiles. Letting the building go makes me sick.

As a follow-up, I complained about the Justice Center, and Mayor Wilson responded with enthusiasm about opening up the Justice Center. Then I got a detailed response from the Infrastructure advisor to County Chair Vega Peterson. Something is happening!! Here is part of the response:

"By early September, all of the plywood and temporary barriers that are visible from the street will be removed. The full restoration of the glass will be completed in August 2026. A more detailed schedule includes:

For the 3rd Avenue and south side (Madison)
May 29 - June 2: Wood walls visible to be removed.
June 2 - July 3: Windows and doors installed.
July 7: Temporary construction fencing will be removed."

More work follows into 2026.

[PlantDad]

That's definitely good news! Anyone have news on the Elk statue? I thought that was supposed to return soon.

[PhillyPDX]

Originally Posted by DMH

As a follow-up, I complained about the Justice Center, and Mayor Wilson responded with enthusiasm about opening up the Justice Center. Then I got a detailed response from the Infrastructure advisor to County Chair Vega Peterson. Something is happening!! Here is part of the response:

"By early September, all of the plywood and temporary barriers that are visible from the street will be removed. The full restoration of the glass will be completed in August 2026. A more detailed schedule includes:

For the 3rd Avenue and south side (Madison)
May 29 - June 2: Wood walls visible to be removed.
June 2 - July 3: Windows and doors installed.
July 7: Temporary construction fencing will be removed."

More work follows into 2026.

“Windows installed”?

Have there not been windows behind the boards?

[DMH]

Originally Posted by PhillyPDX

“Windows installed”?

Have there not been windows behind the boards?

Just a theory but the 3rd Ave plywood covers up all of the open portico so maybe the windows and doors along the portico are getting bullet-proof glass or something.

Here is more about the upcoming work:

"July 7 - September: Install new walls and glass in the Records Area.

August: Complete 2nd Street windows and door.

Art on 3rd Avenue has been permitted by the City, bidding is underway with contract awarded in July, and construction between September through August 2026."

[PhillyPDX]

Originally Posted by DMH

Just a theory but the 3rd Ave plywood covers up all of the open portico so maybe the windows and doors along the portico are getting bullet-proof glass or something.

Here is more about the upcoming work:

"July 7 - September: Install new walls and glass in the Records Area.

August: Complete 2nd Street windows and door.

Art on 3rd Avenue has been permitted by the City, bidding is underway with contract awarded in July, and construction between September through August 2026."

Is maybe all of the work part of why it took so long? There a lot more costs here than just removing plywood.

[DMH]

Originally Posted by PlantDad

That's definitely good news! Anyone have news on the Elk statue? I thought that was supposed to return soon.

Regarding the Thompson Elk statue, the following City website explains a lot. It does not explain the delay.

https://www.portland.gov/water/improvements/construction/thompson-elk-fountain-restoration-project

[PlantDad]

Originally Posted by DMH

As a follow-up, I complained about the Justice Center, and Mayor Wilson responded with enthusiasm about opening up the Justice Center. Then I got a detailed response from the Infrastructure advisor to County Chair Vega Peterson. Something is happening!! Here is part of the response:

"By early September, all of the plywood and temporary barriers that are visible from the street will be removed. The full restoration of the glass will be completed in August 2026. A more detailed schedule includes:

For the 3rd Avenue and south side (Madison)
May 29 - June 2: Wood walls visible to be removed.
June 2 - July 3: Windows and doors installed.
July 7: Temporary construction fencing will be removed."

More work follows into 2026.

I just walked by and there's definitely work going on now. The vast majority of the plywood is now off along the 3rd Avenue side of the property. It looks like they are putting up a new window wall on the outside edge of the portico and it's much more open now. The landscaping is looking good and they planted new street trees. What a difference it makes from the adjacent park.

[uncommon.name]

Originally Posted by Derek

There hasn’t been any “riots” for years….

Vandalism continue(s) well after the "riots". So have assaults on random and targetted people. They don't all make the news, but they certainly still happen. My wife works next door.

[Derek]

Guess we’ll just leave everything boarded up forever then!