The Portland Building, known for its postmodern architecture and public art exhibits, finally reopened to the public with a community celebration, after being closed for an extensive renovation project, according to a Portland City website announcement. The landmark, originally constructed in 1982 and designed by Michael Graves, underwent necessary upgrades due to issues of water intrusion and outdated operating systems alongside seismic retrofitting.
Receiving a grand reopening on March 19, 2020, the event was delayed as a precautionary measure to safeguard public health amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the reopening celebration included live music featuring Japanese guitar and Native American singers, and the public had the opportunity to reveal in new art installations and honor the iconic Portlandia statue during a special ceremony, the Portland City statement detailed. Moreover, the Regional Arts & Culture Council unveiled new public art, and guests embarked on self-guided tours, punctuated by treats like commemorative cookies, and the renovation project was completed with a keen focus on modernization and sustainability aimed to revitalize the work culture and public interaction in the city's administrative building.
Coming in under the $195 million budget and finishing ahead of schedule, Tom Rinehart, the City's Chief Administrative Officer, highlighted the renovation's goals, stressing the importance of fostering a culture that promotes modern workspaces and collaborative efforts, he told the Portland City publication. The transformation aims to set a standard for future city projects, achieving sustainability targets, and possibly eyeing a LEED Platinum certification after already qualifying for the Gold level, which denotes a significant reduction in energy usage compared to conventional buildings.
Equipped with a one-stop customer service counter on the first floor, the renovated Portland Building now simplifies residents' access to various city services, and public spaces are tailored for community events and meetings, intended to be used and enjoyed by the entire Portland community, these conveniences were noted by Rinehart in the provided statement. Additionally, the Office of Equity and Human Rights and Bureau of Human Resources were deeply involved in the WELL Building certification process, ensuring employee welfare by incorporating more natural light, flexible work areas, a gym, and bike parking—Ashlie Grundy, the Outreach and Diversity Resources Manager expressed a vision for The City of Portland to be seen as a 'destination employer' that fosters community, connection, and social impact.
Public art continues to be a mainstay, with the Regional Arts & Culture Council playing a pivotal role in acquiring and showcasing works through the "Percent for Art" program, with efforts to highlight diversity among artists and represent the local communities, Giyen Kim, who manages the City Arts Program, emphasized the dedication to presenting artwork that resonates with the diverse populace of Portland. Furthermore, the building's design now includes tributes to influential Portland women of color, like Leah Hing and Lizzie K. Weeks, whose dedicated meeting rooms serve as a homage and educational touchpoint about their significant roles in the city's history, as described by City communications specialist Francisca Garfia.
For queries related to the building and its features, Heather Hafer was named the contact person, and Heather Nelson Kent will handle questions pertaining to the art installations that pride themselves on being a beacon of culture and diversity in Portland's renovated historical site.
