08/14/1978 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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----~. -_.__._--~~ ---- --- -~ Lewis Hoffman, 275 Sunset Drive, commented that the Portland Building was originally his family's building. When the Renewal Agency came I e downtown, engineers carefully studied the building and determined it should be condemmed. Since he had to vacate the building, he does not feel that anyone else should come in and get a free tax ride from the government. He says it would be a waste of taxpayers' money to fix up buildings that old and run down. It would be nearly impossible to bring the three buildings up to Code. He said they are not historic monuments and the business community is against having them left the re. Bart Walsh, 200 S. Mill Street, Springfield, said he has been retained by investors interested in developing a mixed-use facility which involves all of the properties in question. He said studies indicate I that the property can be developed at a much higher density than currently exists. In the study was covered level of user demand, proximity to activity interface, zoning, compatibility with the I 1990 Plan, etc. In that regard they have requested that the ERA consider a four or five-story structure of about 50 to 60,000 square feet. I Charles Wickizer, 1220 Oakway, supports the Renewal Agency recommen- dati on. He feels the agency has done a super job in mixing old and I new downtown. I Navarre Davis, 1806 Cal Young Road, felt the buildings do not have true historical merit, but rather that they are small, insignificant e structures. Vincent Farina, 1407 East 21st, said that in travelling around the United States he has seen many buildings preserved for the sake of keeping old buildings. In many of those cases the towns have become ghost towns. The reason is that the buildings were not conducive to doing business. He feels that preserving junk is ridiculous. Vern Hoffman, 881 Willamette, said that, as a former owner of the Portland Building, he was told that the building was not adequate. He was told that the building would be torn down. He said that the City is not fulfilling its word to him and his firm if the building does not, in fact, get demolished. George Mattox, 4410 Hilyard, said he wants to see the Renewal Agency plan continued as it was first formulated. Joe Richards, 777 High, ERA Attorney, said it has been suggested to him that there may be a legal obligation to the Hoffmans regarding the Portland building. Otto Poticha, 1820 Kona, said he also is a potential developer for the site and has been waiting for over a year to make a proposal. He does not feel the buildings are historically restorable, but he does feel that adaptive re-use is the most plausible idea. He , suggested that proposals be allowed to be made first, whether for e demolition or restoration. 8/14/78--4 555