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A 1938 Works Progress Administration-era building that once housed Milwaukie鈥檚 mayor鈥檚 office, city offices, a library and a fire station has been reimagined as a multi-tenant retail and restaurant destination in the heart of downtown.

The adaptive reuse project converted the 11,945-square-foot landmark at 10501 S.E. Main St. into commercial space anchored by pFriem Family Brewers and Keeper Coffee. The building is recognized by the City of Milwaukie as a significant historic resource and represents the final WPA-funded project in Oregon, originally constructed for $32,000 with a $13,200 federal grant.

Developer City Hall Holdings 鈥� a partnership between Henry Point Development, Owen Gabbert LLC and Redside Development 鈥� was selected through a city-issued request for proposals that sought preservation-minded approaches. Owen Gabbert also served as general contractor. Design was led by Brett Schulz Architect in collaboration with Design Department Architecture.

Working within the historic footprint presented significant challenges, including multiple floor heights, inconsistent head heights in the basement and circulation patterns designed for obsolete civic uses. The team addressed vertical movement by inserting two new staircases, one for each tenant, allowing access across three levels. An ADA-accessible ramp also was integrated along the building鈥檚 exterior without compromising the historic fa莽ade.

Buildings of this age often contain hazardous materials concealed beneath layers of renovation-era construction. The team implemented comprehensive testing at multiple project stages to identify and mitigate any such materials before work proceeded. Temporary staircase openings also required careful coordination, protective measures and ongoing communication with all trade partners.

The project incorporated modern, energy-efficient mechanical systems throughout, and adaptive reuse of the existing structure significantly reduced environmental impact compared to demolition and new construction by conserving embodied carbon and preserving the surrounding green spaces and tree canopy.

Innovative material reuse defined much of the interior. The original firehouse pole was repositioned as a design centerpiece and functional conduit for tap lines between floors. Ceiling joists removed during renovation were transformed into a community dining table, and a historic 10-foot door from the building鈥檚 fire hose drying tower was repurposed as a conference room table. Flooring throughout much of the building was replaced using reclaimed hardwood salvaged from a basketball court at UC Santa Barbara.

鈥淭he Milwaukie City Hall sets an example of how historic preservation of a former civic building can be a creative and sustainable approach to community revitalization,鈥� said Val C. Ballestrem, preservation bureau assistant for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, in the Top Projects submission form.

Construction crews also uncovered historic artifacts during the project, including a copper plaque featuring Abraham Lincoln and a 1938 copper time capsule installed by the Masonic Lodge. Plans to open and display the time capsule in partnership with the city and local historical organizations are underway.