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The Multnomah County Courthouse was completed in 1914, and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979. But it now is a hazard for the thousands of people who walk along its halls each day.

鈥淎n earthquake of any magnitude would be devastating,鈥� said Judy Edwards, executive director of the Multnomah Bar Association.

The building’s unreinforced concrete is a cause for concern, but outdated mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems also are potentially dangerous, according to county reports. Renovations have been considered for more than 40 years; dozens of studies have been published.

鈥淭here are many buildings in Portland that are seismically unsafe. The issue with the courthouse is that people are required to be there,鈥� County Commissioner Deborah Kafoury said.

鈥淲e are very heartened by the attention the courthouse is receiving,鈥� Edwards said. 鈥淚t’s not that the county hasn’t wanted to do this 鈥� they just haven’t had the money.鈥�

Earlier this week, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners received a new study about a possible renovation strategy for the eight-story courthouse at 1021 S.W. Fourth Ave. in downtown Portland. The study examined the possibility of seismic upgrades being performed while the structure remained in use. According to the study, previously suggested approaches that would involve vacating the facility were considered cost-prohibitive.

The multiphase strategy, designed by the county and , would cost between $176 million and $220 million. Work would last four to six years and take place on two floors at a time, from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Kafoury said the study is one step in the county’s process to secure money for a project.

鈥淔or me, it’s easier to sell something if I know what I’m selling,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e need a plan for what we’re going to be asking.鈥�

The seismic-upgrade portion of the plan calls for constructing a nine-story structure in the building’s light well 鈥� the open, unroofed space in its center. That structure would be used to support seismic straps in the existing building, and add two courtrooms per floor and a new elevator: a total of 75,300 additional square feet.

The renovation would include replacement of all mechanical, electrical, plumbing and telecommunications systems, routed through the new structure. Projected operational energy savings would be approximately 30 percent.

The study calls for restoration of the building’s remaining historic interior, including the grand staircase and main east hallway. However, all design concepts for the renovation would be subject to review by the U.S. National Park Service, the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office and the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission.

At the end of the project, the county would have 鈥渢he equivalent of a new building鈥� for 50 years of useful life, the study said.

Another option for the county would be to build a new courthouse, but that possibility does not appeal to stakeholders.

鈥淓verybody is in agreement that the courthouse should be downtown,鈥� Kafoury said. 鈥淏ut downtown space is at a premium.鈥�
In addition, she added, if the county wanted to sell the existing building, it might have to perform seismic upgrades anyway.

鈥淥ne lingering question in my mind and the minds of taxpayers is: If you have a building, why not renovate it?鈥� Kafoury said.

Another study will examine the space needs of the county’s courts system in the coming years. Then the county will decide how to proceed. Funding for a project is not set yet.

鈥淲e’re trying to find the best and most cost-effective way to handle this situation,鈥� Kafoury said. She acknowledged that the project will be expensive, but added that the county is 鈥渘ever going to be flush with cash.鈥�