Author Archives: Kate Kearney

Northwest Portland Residential Garage

The combination of a steeply sloped site, a contributing resource within a historic district, and a historic design review process turned the request for creating a two car garage into a challenging design proposal. Compounding working with the site’s steep slope was the perpendicular steep slope of the sidewalk, street, and right-of-way that created cross slopes and drainage concerns. The property also has an existing historic basalt retaining wall approximately ten feet high simultaneously creating an imposing structure next to the sidewalk but bringing visual interest to the front of the property.

Concrete garages at the front of the property were common in the area when houses were first constructed in the early 1900s. The district guidelines also noted that garages are an integral part of the historic district. New materials were chosen to reference historic precedence and to be compatible with the historic main house and surrounding contextual properties. Careful attention was given to surveying the corner elevations of the lot so that accurate site grades could be determined in order to take advantage of set-back exemptions within the zoning code.

Overall the design celebrates simplicity of materials, minimizes the exposed portions of the structure, and respects the historic district by incorporating the basalt stone retaining wall as part of garage face. The roof of the structure is designed such that the owner can create an amenity deck for the basement apartment or a flat landscape area within the steep slope.

Post Modern Building Materials Part One

Advances in science and material properties have always played a role in the development of building products. Postmodernism fueled the advent of several new building materials including Glass Reinforced Polyester (James Stirling, Olivetti Training Center, c.1972), Insulated Exterior Metal Panel Systems (Richard Meier, Bronx Development Center, c.1979), Dupont’s Fabric Tensile Structures (University of Florida Gainesville, O’Connell Center, c.1980), polycarbonate sheets (Kalwall, et.al.), pre-fabricated brick panel systems, and many other new construction technologies.

Richard Meier, Bronx Development Center, 1977

Post Modern Building Materials and Life-Cycle
Like any new technology or building material, the life span of postmodern materials is now known but there is a lack of case studies and journalistic papers describing the failure mechanisms, and more importantly, how to repair, retain, or preserve the exterior materials. On one level there is an inherent impermanence of the original materials based on a default decision making process that limited a building’s longevity to a twenty-five (25) year life-cycle. On another level, the façade of the Postmodern building incorporates building systems or individual components that are neither produced nor assembled currently in similar manners due to improvements in technology and building envelope science. In either case, the process and method of building envelope repair could dramatically or minimally impact the exterior character of Postmodern structures.

Aldo Rossi, Theatro Delmondo, Venice 1982

There are some Postmodern structures, despite the polarizing opinions regarding the aesthetic values, that are iconographic examples of the high-end of Postmodern style. Included with those structures named above, are the Portland Building (Michael Graves, c. 1984), Piazza d’Italia (Charles Moore, 1982), and Theatro Delmondo, (Aldo Rossi, Venice 1982) to name a few. Rossi’s Theatro Delmondo poses an even more challenging theoretical debate as to whether or not to preserve or repair the structure since the theater was built as a floating temporary stage set.

Rehabilitation and Postmodern materials
The rehabilitation of Postmodern materials is compounded by the lack of physical or chemical stability in the original product (e.g. color fading or material breakdown by UV light); changing urban context and surrounding development; inadequate original construction means and methods, and lack of precedence – Postmodern buildings are just now reaching the end of their design life-cycle. Proposals to improve envelope performance are challenged in finding products that will improve performance and retain the aesthetics of a Postmodern building. Given these challenges, is the proper repair, rehabilitation, or conservation of Postmodern structures to retain the appearance of insubstantial material installed incorrectly? Or should any new work, often entailing proposals for replacing the building facades, to discount the design appearance and fix the problems regardless of the impact.

ZGF, Koin Center, 1982

Moving forward, there are precedents set by the early and current challenges associated with mid-century modern structures that can be followed. For example, circa 1960 glass curtain wall upgrades have created methods to retain the exterior appearance while upgrading the thermal efficiency of the system or conversely, left the existing original curtain wall in place and upgrade the mechanical system and distribution system as both more cost effective and more energy efficient over the life of the building. The solutions towards postmodern materials will similarly be led by research, initiative, and innovation. Engaging the manufactures in the dialogue is essential, particularly when replacing a failed product is critical to retaining the building design character.

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James Stirling, Olivetti Training Center, 1972

Unique Challenges
There are unique challenges with Postmodern buildings, but as is the case with all new materials and systems, developing a strategy of research, methodology, and documentation will result in extending the life-cycle of these provocative structures.

Portland Building

Written by Peter Meijer, AIA, NCARB / Principal

Olympia Mid-Century Modern Survey

Peter Meijer Architect developed a Reconnaissance Level Survey within the City of Olympia of approximately 400 residential properties built between 1945–1965. As part of the process, PMA identified those resources eligible for National Register of Historic Places listing.

In conjunction with the survey work, PMA, in collaboration with City of Olympia, presented the findings to the City of Olympia Heritage Commission and general public. Products included complete Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) short forms and entry into the DAHP database, a written report summarizing survey findings, photographs of each resource, and historical and geographic context overview. All work was completed in accordance with DAHP’s “Standards for Reconnaissance-Level Survey.”

To see the full report, please visit: Architectural Survey of Olympia’s Mid-Century Homes

PMAPDX 2015 Year in Review

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

PMAPDX-Holiday-2015

Wishing you a holiday season filled with cheer and delight from Peter Meijer Architect.

As we look back over the past year and reflect on our completed, on-going, and upcoming projects, we’d like to take the opportunity to say we have truly enjoyed collaborating and communicating with you.

2015 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

PMA HAPPENINGS
Peter Meijer AIA, NCARB, was a Presenter at the RCI, Inc. 2015 Symposium on Building Envelope Technology. He presented on, When Field Performance of Masonry Does Not Correlate with Lab Test Results. PPS Grant High School was the case study presented.

Kristen Minor, Preservation Planner, is the newest member of the City of Portland Historic Landmarks Commission.

When Field Performance of Masonry Does Not Correlate with Lab Results

First presented at RCI 2015 Symposium on Building Envelope Technology, Nashville, TN

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Background
When it was completed, Grant High School was typical of the high schools constructed by Portland Public Schools in the pre-World War II era. In addition to being an extensible school, including educational buildings constructed between 1923 and 1970, the school was also reflective of fire-proof construction through its use of a reinforced concrete structure with brick in-fill. (Portland Public Schools, Historic Building Assessment, Entrix, October 2009)

Over the last fifteen years, Portland Public Schools (PPS) noted an accelerated degree of masonry face spalling on the original 1923 main building and 1923 Old Gym particularly when adjacent to concentrated sources of surface water. Other areas of spalling were not as obvious including protected wall surfaces. The masonry spalling was not occurring on later additions including the north wing (circa 1925), south wing (circa 1927), and auditorium building (circa 1927). Upon closer visual examination, it was observed that individual units were failing in isolated protected areas of the wall surface. Failures in such areas could not be accounted for under direct correlation of heavy water intrusion and typical failure mechanisms.

The failure of the brick was potentially due to a number of separate or cumulative conditions including 1) excessive water uptake by the brick; 2) sub-fluorescence expansion of salts in the masonry, 3) freeze thaw; 4) low quality of the original 1923 brick; and 5) the application of surface sealers preventing water migrating to the exterior surface.

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Field Investigation
In order to determine if the damage to the masonry was deeper than the surface, several wall-lets, an invasive exterior wall opening, were performed confirming the assembly of a multi-wythe masonry wall constructed in a typical fully bedded bond course with interlocking headers and no cavities between the first three brick courses. Hooked shaped, 3/32” gage, steel wire masonry ties in alternating courses and approximately twelve inches (12”) on center ties were found to be in good condition with no deterioration. The absence of corrosion on the in place brick wire ties indicated that little moisture was present inside the multi-wythe wall.

As a result of the hypothesis and field observations, it was prudent to conduct a series of lab tests to the brick, mortar, and patch materials to assist in the determination of 1) the quality of the brick; 2) the physical composition of the brick; 3) the quantity of naturally occurring compounds in the masonry and mortar, particularly salts in the masonry; and 4) the quality of the mortar. The findings would help narrow the potential cause of the spalling and lead to a more focused repair and maintenance process. Bricks were removed for testing of Initial Rate of Absorption (IRA – a test for susceptibility to water saturation) freeze thaw testing, and petrographic analysis, a way to determine the inherent properties of the clay and manufacturing process. Both pointing and bedding mortar samples, as well as, the previous patching material were removed and also tested. To rule out damage caused by maintenance procedures, faces of the brick material were sent to determine if sealants were used on the brick and, if present, determine the sealant chemical makeup. The presence of a surface coating may lead to retention of water within the brick and thus prevent natural capillary flow, natural drying, and water evaporation.

grant-hs-field-testing

Testing & Results
Samples sent to the lab for coating assessment were analyzed via episcopic light microscopy, and Fourier- Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) per ASTM D1245 and ASTM E1252. The results found no hydrocarbon or organic formulations used on the surface of the brick refuting the hypothesis of a surface sealer.

Following modified ASTM standards, a 24-hr immersion and 5-hr boil absorption test on the brick were performed. The brick have a very low percent of total absorption at 9.5% for the 5-hr boil and 7.5% for the 24-hr test. The maximum saturation coefficient is 0.79 which is 0.01 over the maximum requirements for Severe Weathering bricks recommended for Portland climate (ASTM C216-07a Table 1). The Initial Rate of Absorption (IRA) is 5.7g/min/30in2 which equates to a very low suction brick or brick with low initial rates of absorption. The freeze thaw durability tests resulted in passing performance. All of these tests refuted the hypothesis that freezing temperatures were the cause of masonry spalling.

A brick material analysis was performed in general conformance with ASTM C856, ASTM C1324 (masonry mortar) and included petrographic analysis, chemical analyses, x-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. Samples were analyzed under a polarized light microscope for information such as materials ratio and presence or absence of different deterioration mechanisms. These tests were used to assess the overall quality of material, presence of inherent salts, excessive retempering, cracking, ettringite formation, and potential alkali‐silica reactivity.

grant-hs-electron-microscopy-salt-deposition

The Petrographic Characterization resulted in the most unusual findings and the most relevant results related to the observed failures. The polarized light microscope indicated carbonate based salt crystals seeping into the masonry from the mortar. No sulfate based salts, typically associated with the clays used for making brick, were present. Furthermore the inherent properties of the brick showed very small rounded voids and interconnected planer voids. Planner voids result from poor compaction during the raw clay extrusion process prior to firing.

Performance of brick in the field is a result of both material properties and resistance to micro-climates within the brick’s capillary void structure which cannot be repeated in the lab. Studies have shown a connection between small voids in the material property and susceptibility to longer water retention near the surface. With natural absorption properties, the brick is taking in a small quantity of water in very small pores. 24-hour immersion results are very low (7.5%). Publication of more in-depth studies correlates maximum saturation values for brick with low 24-hour immersion values. The effect of low immersion values and small quantities of absorbed water may increase the susceptibility in brick with small pore structure to freeze thaw failure.

The presence of salt migration out of the mortar and into the brick, plus small pore structure and low immersion values, combining with a cleavage plane resulting from manufacturing are contributing to the Grant High School brick spalls. Brick with smaller pores are less capable of absorbing the expansive forces of freezing water and drying salts. Interlaced pores creating linear plains parallel with the face of the brick create stress failure points resulting in surface spalling. Since the characteristics of the brick resulted from the firing and manufacturing process, the brick will remain susceptible to the failure mechanisms.

Conclusion
Field observations of masonry failures generally correspond with known failure mechanisms. However, it is not unusual that further analysis is necessary to confirm in-field performance and that typical laboratory test results are in conflict with in-situ performance.

The best corrective action is to minimize the amount of surface water and proper mortar joints and mortar composition. Additional spalls are likely to occur in the future due to the accumulation of expansive forces over a long period of time. Replacement of the spalled bricks is recommended over further patching. Leaving spalled brick in place will continue to worsen the condition over time and affect adjacent brick.

grant-hs-present-day

Written by Peter Meijer, AIA, NCARB, Principal

Navigating the Historic Tax Credit Application

Historic Tax Credits were founded in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in 1986. As one of a number of incentives to help owners preserve historic properties, Historic Tax Credits have since become the premier financial incentive towards the rehabilitation of income-producing historic properties. Historic Tax Credits can be used for older, non-historic properties as well, so long as they are income-producing, at a lower credit amount. An owner can receive a 20% rehabilitation tax credit for the amount spent on the qualifying rehabilitation of a National Register-listed property, or 10% tax credit for the amount spent on the qualifying rehabilitation of an older property with no historic status.

There is a minimum threshold of rehabilitation investment that must be met in order to qualify. Rehabilitation project costs must be equal to the Real Market Value (as assessed by the local tax authority) minus the value of the land or $5000, whichever is greater. Rehabilitation Tax Credits for tax-exempt historic properties are possible provided that the investment partner using the tax credits is a for profit, tax paying entity. Typically, separate Limited Liability Corporations are established through which rehabilitation funding flows to the project.
Pacific-Tower-Tax-Credits 20% Rehabilitation Tax Credit
The most common use of historic tax credits is the 20% Rehabilitation Tax Credit. To qualify for the 20% historic tax credit a property must be listed on the National Register of Historic Places either individually or as a contributing resource within a historic district. Properties must be a building as defined by Treasury Regulation 1.48-1(e), income producing, and undergo a certified rehabilitation process, which is evaluated by the NPS and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). This process includes the completion of a three part application: Part 1-Evauation of Significance (not typically necessary if the building is already on the National Register); Part 2-Description of Rehabilitation; and Part 3-Request for Certification of Completed Work. Once completed and approved by the NPS the 20% tax credit can be claimed for the tax year in which the property was certified by the NPS. Tax credits can be taken in phases as well, as long as each phase meets certain conditions.

10% Rehabilitation Tax Credit
To qualify for the 10% rehabilitation tax credit a property must have been built before 1936. Properties eligible for the 10% tax credit must be buildings, income producing, non-residential, and remain on the original site. Historic properties that have been relocated do not qualify. Other conditions include the retention of at least 50% of the external walls, at least 75% of internal and external walls, and at least 75% of the internal framework. Unlike the application process for the 20% Historic Tax Credit, there is no formal review process or certification. However, the tax credits are redeemed the same way. Buildings listed individually or contributing resources within a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places are not eligible for the 10% tax credit.

Current Trends
The staff at PMA have years of experience navigating the Historic Tax Credit application, placing properties on the National Register of Historic Places, and working with the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service to assure the rehabilitation project qualifies and receives historic tax credits.
US-Custom-House-Tax-Credit
From initial application of Part I through final certification of Part III, 180 days or more can elapse. Current development practices and financial investment processes place pressure on the development schedule to initiate rehabilitation prior to final approval by the National Park Service. Early construction places the tax credit under risk and final approval can be withheld pending review of all rehabilitation impacts. Market demand for open space with exposed mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems is creating a trend in rehabilitation of historic properties to expose these functional systems.

PMA’s experience in working with the market demand and reaction to the trend by SHPO and NPS, can provide owners with advice on where reviewers will be more stringent. PMA has worked with NPS when a Condition of Approval was placed on the submitted Part 2 Description of Rehabilitation requesting alteration of completed ceiling conditions throughout the building in occupied space. Although the owner did know that construction prior to approval was a risk, they also needed to have some spaces complete in order to retain certain tenants and meet the financial loan terms. PMA sought a compromise with NPS retaining completed ceilings, but altering the design intent and finish in those spaces not yet complete in order to meet the new Condition of Approval.
usch_Ground Floor_Northeast Room (Viewing Northwest)
Similarly, PMA has noted in the Part II application process an acceptance of exposed fire sprinkler lines and exposed conduits but resistance to exposed ductwork and exposed cable trays. Whereas it could be argued that exposed mechanical and wiring systems are akin to exposed electrical systems in that the exposed work does not have a long-term impact on the historic walls, floors, and ceilings, the combined affect changes the subjective visual impact from NPS perspective.

Each of the above trends requires diligent documentation and on-going discussion during the construction process, which, in itself, can be very fluid and entail rapid changes. The tax credit consultant must be skilled in communication and work with both the development team and tax credit reviewers.

PMA Technical Assistance
PMA is proud to undertake historic tax credit commissions as these projects have been a great way for our office to combine our specializations in architecture and preservation. Over the last five years, PMA has completed numerous Historic Tax Credit applications throughout Oregon and Washington. Overall, Historic Tax Credits have proven to be vital to the financial proforma and successful investment strategy to preserve and rehabilitate historic properties.
Pac-Tower-Tax-Credit

Written by Peter Meijer AIA, NCARB, Principal / Kristen Minor, Preservation Planner / Brandon Grilc, Preservation Specialist

Assessing Union Station to be Part of Our Future

Portland’s Union Station is the only major railroad station built in Oregon, and one of the oldest major extant passenger terminals on the West Coast. From its inception, Union Station has functioned as a major transportation link to Portland and the west coast, with a continued vital role to play in future rail and multimodal transportation planning.
Union-Station-Historic-photo
A Sense of Place
Critical to adapting Union Station, and other historic structures, for current and future use is to thoroughly understand key elements and components that convey the sense of place and rich history of the structure. A deeper understanding enables informed decisions to be made about the potential of key characteristics to remain for future generations. Union Station was constructed between 1892 and 1894 and was designed by Van Brunt & Howe architects in the Queen Anne style with Romanesque detail. From 1927 thru 1930, the Main Concourse was modernized by Portland’s internationally known architect, Pietro Belluschi, to reflect the streamline era of rail technology. Like the original 1892 elements, the Belluschi modernization’s are equally important stories to tell.

Creating a graphic document annotating “changes over time” is an essential tool for evaluating how Union Station has adapted to improvements in rail technology, fluctuations in passenger volume, cultural shifts regarding train travel, as well as modifications to specific architectural elements that impact the historic integrity and interpretation of original design intent.
Union-Station-Report-Outline-pg2
Methodology for Assessment
Our method of developing the graphic drawing is to compare historic floor plans and historic photographs to current plans and images through a process of layering plans from different eras over one another and drawing the altered, or missing, elements (e.g. walls, furniture, spaces, etc.) in different colors. This methodology provides an easily interpreted floor plan. The use of color enhances the image and creates a visual record of both changes and original historic fabric. In reading the graphic drawing, it becomes readily discernible that changes include: wood floors replaced with concrete and new floors added; openings in the main concourse were moved and enlarged; the women’s waiting room and toilet were removed to widen the south hall, the stairs were renovated, and a new baggage counter was constructed. The covered concourse was glassed in and a section was made into the First Class Lounge, which remains today. And in the 1940s, a nursery, or crying, room was added.
Union-Station-PMAPDX-drawing
What is fascinating about the history of a building like Union Station, is that the rail lines and street patterns are also integrated with the function and use of the structure and have changed over time as well. The construction of Union Station came soon after Portland was fully connected by rail in 1883 to California, Montana, and rail lines running to the East Coast across the U.S. The Spokane-Portland-Seattle rail connection was finished in 1908. In 1922, Union Station became accessible to all major passenger railroads operating through Portland.

When originally constructed, six passenger car rail lines approached the rear of Union Station. The waiting platform consisted of planks on dirt with no canopy. The block across from Union Station consisted of a small restaurant, bar, other stores, and stables. A five foot iron fence bordered a large lawn and sidewalk to the south and west of the station. The High Shed, a large two-story metal shed was the first canopy built to cover the passenger platforms and extended perpendicular to the station. Under this High Shed, two smaller scale platform canopies were erected paralleling the tracks. A mail canopy was built at the north end of the building in 1915.

By 1920, the block across from Union Station’s main entrance had been converted to parking to relieve congestion. As automobile use increased throughout the city, parking configurations were constantly changing over the years. By 1923, an elevated walkway was built to connect the Broadway Bridge to the main entrance.
union-station-pmapdx-changes-overtime

With the introduction of larger diesel locomotives and potential for high speed rail along the northwest corridor, the track, platforms, and canopies have had to be modified. Safety and accessibility have also driven the need for changes and modernization. Documenting these alterations with graphics, provides a foundation from which to advocate for further refinement while recognizing historic precedent and protection of historic elements.

union-station-pmapdx-historic-photo

Written by Peter Meijer, AIA,NCARB, Principal

PMA is part of the DOWA-IBI Group team for this exciting PDC Union Station Renovation Project.

Warm Springs Eco-Huts Concept

PMA was provided an opportunity to create temporary Eco-Huts nestled on the right bank along a gentle curve of the Deschutes River adjacent to the Warm Spring Tribe Reservation. Inherent in our design approach for the Eco-Huts is the creation of design solutions that emphasize the uniqueness of Place. The concept includes Land Restoration and Land Stewardship. The site topography has a shallow slope towards the river with basalt escarpments forming the river valley. PMA created a prototype model, easily constructed and assembled off site (test fit), then transported to the site and efficiently erected. The prototype was designed to be economical and conceived to have minimal footprints on the land resting on piers elevating the floor above the land and accommodating the undulating landscape. The process of assembling the Eco-Huts on-site and disassembling them in the future determined the material pallet of dimensional lumber and pre-assembled wood window walls.

A modular dimension was chosen permitting variation in the Eco-Hut sizes. The floor, walls, and roof planes are built off-site and tilted in place. Exterior stained wood material varying from plywood to sawn boards were chosen to harmonize with the High Desert landscape and be of minimal maintenance. Plywood panels are dressed with battens and sawn mill boards are stained dark desert grey and applied horizontally to create solid side walls atop of which are placed ribbon windows. The primary entry and view wall is a wood frame window and door façade. A deep roof overhang protects the interior from solar gain. Interiors are exposed panel faces or stained mill boards. Partial height walls denote areas of more privacy.

OHSU Auditorium Building Exterior Condition & Interior Assessment

The Auditorium Building was designed by the architect Ellis F. Lawrence and constructed in 1939. The University of Oregon (now Oregon Health and Science University) had hired Lawrence to design other buildings on the campus with the vision of creating an “acropolis of healing” on top of Marquam Hill.
The condition assessment included the exterior facade of the Auditorium Building and categorized the need of repair into three priority levels.

Building Envelope Corrections:
• Level 1 Priority Repairs should be completed in order to prevent further damage to the building. Many of these repairs are necessary to solve water intrusion problems.
• Level 2 Priority Repairs are repairs to damaged areas within the building. The repairs are designed to maintain building materials and to extend the lifespan of the materials.
• Level 3 Priority Repairs are associated with rehabilitation of the space to create greater historic integrity.

Additionally, PMA collaborated with Heritage Conservation Group, LLC, to survey and document the cultural heritage holdings in the Auditorium building.

Ballpark Preservation and Its Most Recent Event

civic-stadium-eugene-prefire Since its creation in 1862, the ballpark has continued to have an influential impact on those who experience it. This impact is not only measured by heritage tourism to these sites, like Fenway Park or Wrigley Field, but also by how they are preserved. In some cases, such as Fenway Park, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, ballparks are preserved in a very traditional sense of the word. However, most ballparks never have the opportunity to reach the benchmarks needed to be preserved according to these preservation standards and are therefore preserved through a variety of alternative preservation methods. These methods, which span the spectrum from preserving a ballpark through the presentation of their original objects in a museum to the preservation of existing relics in their original location, such as Tiger Stadium’s center field flag pole, have given a large segment of our society an opportunity to continue their emotional discourse with this architectural form. Yet, the results of these preservation methods are commonly only the conclusion to a greater act of ceremony and community involvement that preludes them.

civic-stadium-eugene-prefire-002 Part of this ceremony and community involvement is the simple act of participating in the ritual that is the game itself. Most often this is conducted through observation, as society, architecture, and sport become one for nine innings. However, other documented examples of ceremony and community involvement that express the level of compassion our society has for ballparks include ritualistic acts, such as the digging up and transferring of home plate. In some cases, this ritual has included the transferring of home plate via helicopter, limousines, or police escort. Ceremonies like this have also included, for better or worse, the salvaging of dirt, sod, and other relics from a ballpark to be, either cherished as a memento or repurposed in new stadiums. Nevertheless, these examples of ceremony only scratch the surface of the depth that is our society’s infatuation with sport and its architecture, more specifically the ballpark.

civic-stadium-eugene-postfire Ceremonial Acts & Community Involvement Efforts
Some of the most recent ceremonial acts and community involvement efforts that help to further this commitment to ballparks are the acts executed by the Friends of Civic Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. Founded in 2009, the Friends of Civic Stadium have dedicated countless hours towards preserving one of our country’s last wooden ballparks. These efforts include years of community activism, documentation, fundraising, and grounds keeping. Collectively, these efforts resulted in the prolonged life of the 77-year-old ballpark, as they fought off national corporate efforts to purchase and demolish the stadium. But, in an ironic twist of fate, all of the hard work, collaboration, and time spent on preserving a single ballpark came to an abrupt halt on June 29, 2015 when Civic Stadium caught fire and burned down in a matter of hours. Left with only charred remains and a distraught community, the Friends of Civic Stadium moved on in the only way they knew how, through ceremony.

civic-stadium-eugene-postfire-003 Led by the Friends of Civic Stadium president, Dennis Hebert, the organization held a wake in honor of their lost historic building. The wake, intimate in size, resembled a jazz funeral with a procession to the remains of the ballpark led by the One More Time Marching Band. Once at the site of the ballpark, there were multiple ritualistic acts that mimicked traditional funeral ceremonies. These acts included a moment of silence, a passionate speech by Dennis Hebert, and the always haunting rendition of Amazing Grace on bagpipes. After the ceremony, the Friends of Civic Stadium and the friends of Friends of Civic Stadium proceeded back to Tsunami Books where they continued to express their condolences and fond memories of the lost historic ballpark.

Overall, this ceremony is just another example of the power that place and architecture have in our society. Like a living form, architecture, and more notably the ballpark, is preserved and mourned for like a family relative. Yet, when you expand the definition of family relative, the ballpark seamlessly fits in, and that is exactly why we preserve them.

Friends of Civic Stadium
For further information about the Friends of Civic Stadium please visit their website. They are currently collaborating with the Eugene Civic Alliance, the current owners of Civic Stadium and its property, in preserving the historical and cultural significance of Civic Stadium through alternative forms of preservation given its unfortunate fate.

Written by Brandon J. Grilc, Preservation Specialist

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