This post was mentioned on Twitter by ballestrem: Historic home must move or be destroyed …

A neat but not stated concept relating to the determination to save “historic” buildings comes from the piece – use or lose. This building like way too many in Portland have lost their use function. They are left to sit unoccupied and waste away.

If the property owner determines a better (subjective) use – then it alone ought to decide the fate of the buildings on its property. Then if the city disagrees it should make the property owner economically whole.

In this particular case if someone takes the challenge to move the building – everybody wins. If they don’t, it isn’t clear that anyone loses by the demolition.

However, in the typical demolition situation, historic designations have become a limited taking by government. Maybe the question is – should the past stand in the way of the future, i. e., progress?

check out another classic building PSU is going to demolish. Really don’t understand the rush to build on locations that have existing value instead of under utilized surface parking lots.