A Surprising Preservation 'Win'

 

Sometimes the “do nothing” option amounts to a victory for preservation.

In response to neighborhood concerns, Portland General Electric has decided not to demolish a historic electric substation building at 8856 SE 13^th Ave. Instead, the utility will let it muscular, 120-year-old pressed stone building remain “as is” for an unforeseeable and possibly lengthy spell.

The decision, announced at a meeting of the Sellwood-Moreland Improvement League (SMILE) on Sept. 21, was a welcome victory for the neighborhood association and its history committee, chaired by Eileen Fitzsimons.

David Neal, a PGE project manager, said the utility agreed to save the building after “overwhelming, organized and detailed” neighborhood comments, once the neighborhood learned at demolition was being considered as an outcome.

Despite deciding to retain it, Neal said PGE has no plans to re-use it, sell it or give it away.  “Our substation people will have to continue to deal with it” as it is, he said. The doors and windows appear to be tightly secured, but Neal said vandals occasionally have broken in.

 Neal said he went inside the building about a year ago.  “It’s not a very flattering building on the inside,” he said.  

The building was erected in 1905 by the Oregon Water Power & Railway Co.  It sits at the junction of Portland’s original streetcar system and the electric interurban railway that operated south of Portland from the 1890s to 1958.  The site is often referred to as Golf Junction, since it sits near the northern boundary of the Waverly Country Club.

Neal suggested that the historic building is not in jeopardy as long as the substation of which it is a part continues to serve its Southeast Portland territory successfully.  He said the area’s stable power consumption and limited growth opportunities mean that no date is yet on the horizon for substation renovation.  However, if renovation becomes necessary, the fate of the historic building would have to be reconsidered.

 Members of the SMILE committee offered a few suggestions for improving the looks of the building and cleaning the immediate vicinity that has been used occasionally for dumping unwanted items.  Alex Cousins, a PGE community engagement officer, took extensive notes and said the company would consider the suggestions and report back.

In the meantime, preservationists can take a couple encouraging messages from this episode.  First, community involvement CAN make a difference.  Second, there is hope that responsible officials will respond with positive action.

 ---Fred Leeson

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