06/23/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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-- , William Lenart, 1876 Pierce, said his interest for this building came as a result of an architecture class at the University. He walked through the e building and noted its unique construction which required a great deal of energy. He feels that EWEB's analysis does not take into account the uses, past and present, of the building. The building has potential for reuse and is an important landmark. James Meyer, 2105 16th Court, stated agreement with the previous speakers. He indicated the building has structural integrity and also seems to have a solid historical background. Carol Glazer, 47 Adams Street, stated that Whiteaker Community Council supports the designation and voted to request that no demolition of the building occur for six months until a study is completed regarding the feasibility of preser- vat i on. Speaking against designation for the Eugene Mill and Elevator Building: James Brown, EWEB Engineering Supervisor, distributed reports and showed slides. He stated that in March 1980, EWES purchased properties bounded by High Street, 4th Avenue, the Ferry Street Overpass, and the Southern Pacific Transportation Company railroad tracks. The properties were commonly known as Midg1ey's and Steel Structures. The Steel Structures property included the Eugene Mill and Elevator Building. Mr. Brown stated the purpose of the purchase was to acquire additional open and covered spaces to permit EWES to continue to perform utility functions. EWEB e has expanded to meet community growth and to comply with increased State and Federal regulated functions. During purchase negotiations, EWEB engineers made a cursory inspect ion of the Eugene Mill and Elevator structure and were of the opinion it would cost more to rehabilitate than to build comparable new facili- ties. The engineers recommended removal or demolition. At that point, EWEB was informed that the structure was being considered as a historic landmark. He said' that the building has been unattended. The foundations are rotting. The perimeter foundation columns provide little support since the wood has deteriorated and some columns are completely missing, which has caused differ- ential settlement. Vibrations from by trains passing by have caused horizontal ground movement, forcing the columns on the south end off their foundations. Visible areas in the elevator area on the floor appear to be fairly solid, but the milling area floor is generally in poor condition. The interior walls appear to be solid, but the exterior walls are generally in very poor condition. Almost all of the original wooden shake roof has rotted and is now gone and covered with a sheet metal roof. With the lack of maintenance and the extensive decay, the existing roof, roof trusses, exterior siding, milling area walls and floor, all perimeter columns and stringers, and any other decayed parts would have to be removed if the building is to be saved, leaving only the interior wa 11 s . A new structure would then be built around the interior walls that would look like an old building. Estimated costs to rehabilitate the structure were " - 6/23/80--3