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When city planner Nicholas Starin looks at the former home of Import Plaza in Old Town/Chinatown, he sees a building that鈥檚 been an integral part of the neighborhood鈥檚 social history.

Starin calls it an 鈥渆arly 20th century streetcar-style building.鈥�

The building at 88 N.W. Davis St. was designed by E.B. McNaughton and featured impressive brickwork when it was constructed in 1911 as the Globe Hotel. Transient workers were some of the hotel鈥檚 guests.

In 1962, Bill Naito bought the building, which was then refurbished. It was renamed Import Plaza, and a sign atop the building still bears the name of the retailer, which sold primarily Asian imports 鈥� rice paper lamps, Japanese tableware, Shoji blinds. The renovation helped draw positive change to the historic district, which had degenerated by that point.

The Import Plaza shuttered its doors in the 1990s. And now, if the city approves, the building will undergo even more rehabilitation.

鈥淩ehabilitation is always a challenge,鈥� Starin said. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 planned (for the building) is pretty extensive.鈥�
Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects is currently seeking historic design review of the property. The firm has designed a renovation for the four-story building to become the new home of the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine.

The proposed changes include new awnings, new doors and the addition of a 4,330-square-foot penthouse. Plus, the design has been adjusted by a feng shui specialist to ensure the college receives positive qi, a Chinese word for active energy.