91视频

Demolition of a downtown Portland building formerly home to the U.S. Postal Service is under way.

St. Mary’s Academy on Monday announced that crews have begun razing the former University Station post office building on the block bordered by Southwest Sixth Avenue and Broadway and Market and Clay streets.

The school in 2013 purchased the property, which is northwest of and adjacent to the school, for $7.6 million. The addition will double the school’s footprint, according to St. Mary’s Academy Communications Director Sarah Fridovich.

鈥淥ur vision for campus expansion is the creation of a dynamic, state-of-the-art facility to continue to develop young women as leaders, thinkers and creators,鈥� St. Mary’s Academy President Christina Friedhoff said. 鈥淲e are incredibly fortunate that this city block came available when it did.鈥�

Plans for the expansion will focus on creating flexible classroom spaces that support collaboration, adding technology labs, constructing 鈥減remier鈥� athletic facilities and developing spaces for performing and fine arts exhibitions.

St. Mary’s Academy hired Northwest firms GBD Architects and Shiels Obletz Johnsen to assess the school’s needs and determine how to best develop the space, which may include a living history center outlining the school’s heritage, according to Fridovich.

鈥淭he additional capacity presented by the purchased property also offers the opportunity to pursue creative development partnerships,鈥� she said. 鈥淎 wide range of development options are being considered.鈥�