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Portland officials said Monday that they’re expediting demolition at Centennial Mills as the former flour mill remains at risk of collapse.

City leaders also warned Union Pacific, whose tracks pass the property, that they believe it’s unsafe to resume rail service. Company officials indicated they would resume running trains past the Pearl District site as soon as Monday.

鈥淭his decision poses serious risks to our community and our environment,鈥� City Administrator Raymond Lee said at a news conference. 鈥淧assing trains could trigger the collapse of the building, resulting in death or serious injury.鈥�

The railroad company will take steps to reduce risks, a Union Pacific spokesman stated, including institution of a 10 mph speed limit near the property. Also, railcars will be restricted to the tracks farthest from the building.

鈥淯nion Pacific recognizes the challenges presented by this incident but, with no end date on when this long-abandoned property will be demolished, we must consider the disruption the closure of this critical rail corridor has on regional industries, small businesses, ports and consumer goods,鈥� spokesman Mike Jaixen stated in an email.

Railroad personnel will be stationed on site, and rail cars transporting toxic or poisonous inhalation material will be restricted from the area, Jaixen added.

The long-defunct, 116-year-old flour mill along the Willamette River caught fire on Aug. 2. The floors have collapsed but the walls and the water tower remain intact, Portland Fire Chief Lauren Johnson said.

Portland Fire & Rescue has activated hazardous materials and technical rescue teams in case they’re needed, Johnson said.

鈥淭his remains both an active investigation and a dangerous site, and we have to proceed accordingly and carefully,鈥� Lee said.

Portland Permitting & Development issued a notice requiring demolition along with a demolition permit last week, Director Eric Kutch said. He added that the property owner, Lindquist Development, had engaged a structural engineer and was in the process of hiring a demolition contractor on Monday.

Demolition could begin on Friday, Kutch said.

鈥淒emolishing the building is complex work that requires specialized equipment and expertise,鈥� he said.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality will work to ensure dust and other site contaminants are controlled, Kutch said.

The landmark flour mill building languished for more than 20 years as a succession of local and out-of-state developers toyed with redeveloping the site. Ultimately, Prosper Portland sold the site in September 2024 for $13 million. In the process, the agency turned back preservationists who wanted to retain the flour mill.

Stanley Penkin, a former president of the Pearl District Neighborhood Association, said he has been impressed by the city’s urgency in demolishing the flour mill since the fire 鈥� but prior to it, not so much.

鈥淭he city has been really derelict over the years in dealing with the building,鈥� Penkin said, who noted that he spoke only for himself. 鈥淚t should never have gotten to that point.鈥�

The former mounted patrol building also attracts squatters and needs to be demolished as soon as possible, Penkin said.

鈥淭his is an opportunity to clean up that whole site,鈥� he said.

In October 2025, the Portland Design Commission approved a three-building mixed-use plan, with 272 residential units and four retail spaces, for the site at 1362 N.W. Naito Parkway. In November 2025, Lindquist proposed to operate a vampire-themed nightclub at the site, leaving the property’s future unclear.

In the months since, little apparent progress was made on the SERA Architects-designed redevelopment plan.

Then on Aug. 2, the blaze began, growing to a four-alarm emergency. Firefighters brought the flames under control that evening.

Fire investigators have used bystander videos in their investigation, as well as drones to map the building. Trained dogs have indicated the presence of human remains, Johnson said.

But investigators are keeping their distance until demolition, Johnson said.

鈥淭he building is too dangerous for even our investigators to be near or inside it,鈥� she said.