Resident fights new 6-story office building in historic Pearl District – KATU

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PORTLAND, Ore. A Portland resident took a stand against the construction of a building that he believes is disrespectful to the heart of the Pearl District.

Construction has already been approved to allow a 6-story, 100-foot office building with a penthouse at the corner NW 13th Avenue and Glisan Street.

John Hollister lives in the Northwest 13th Avenue Historic District in Portlands Pearl District. The section was designated on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, and includes 20 buildings dating between 1900 to 1945 that have been restored and preserved.

The new building was approved for construction in a spot currently used as a parking lot.

Hollister spent $5,000 to appeal the final approval of the building to Portlands City Council. That appeal was denied Wednesday afternoon.

Hollister believes the new building doesn't meet the historic district guidelines for height and visual compatibility.

Its just too tall and its going to create some real economic pressure and development pressure on some of the smaller buildings," said Hollister. "I just don't want to see it change. With all of the building going on around it, I'd like to have one area that stays the same."

Hollister is worried if its built, similar buildings will spring up in the future, eventually hiding the historic brick buildings in canyons of steel and glass. Hes also concerned that there may be less concern in the future for preservation due to costs of upgrading and retrofitting those existing structures.

The argument for the height of this new structure is based on information recorded in the Citys database. Hollister researched the building heights in the area and discovered city records had incorrect height information for at least two existing buildings.

Hollister has done other research and gotten the support of an architect who will testify at City Council along with him.

"He says anyone who is dedicated and committed to tall buildings has to be equally committed to protect the villages within those tall buildings. And thats what Im trying to do here, said Hollister.

While he doesnt expect a unanimous vote, he is hopefully his argument will win most of the councilors over.

Im totally fine when I go to City Council to have a three, two vote in my favor, he said.

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Resident fights new 6-story office building in historic Pearl District - KATU