Portland design commissioners gave advice Thursday on an early design for a proposed Portland State University student dormitory.

University officials have opted to take the project through a Type II design review process, which is overseen by Portland Permitting & Development staff. That means the Design Commission will not again consider the project unless the staff’s decision is appealed.

The proposal for 1831 S.W. Park Ave. calls for 216 to 269 rooms in a building that would reach five or six stories.

“We’re still exploring both (configurations),” said Michael Coon, a GBD Architects associate principal.

The project has been somewhat controversial because the new building would replace two dating from the early 20th century: Blackstone Residence Hall, completed in 1931, and Montgomery Court, which was built in 1917 for the Portland Women’s Union. Both are brick structures that preservationists have praised for fine detailing.

Advocates who testified on Thursday urged the university to reconsider the design, or at least incorporate brick and other historic touches.

“We would always prefer the preservation of historic buildings,” said Xavier Stickler, chairman of the Downtown Neighborhood Association‘s land-use committee.

Stickler urged designers to incorporate the Blackstone’s statuary into the new building. He also asked designers to consider using mass timber rather than a five-over-one design.

Hannah Bronfman, a member of the Historic Landmarks Commission, said the building should better reflect its surroundings.

“The building reads very generic — one that could exist almost anywhere,” she said.

PSU officials have said the building is crucial to attract new students. The university, which began life as a post-World War II commuter campus, has never had purpose-built student housing.

“This project brings vibrancy by students living on campus,” said Ashley Wendler, PSU’s executive director of University Housing and Residence Life. “These students really become integral to the downtown community.”

A structural engineer was brought in to evaluate the possibility of renovating the historic structures but found that they would require seismic upgrades and major interior reconfiguration, said Tom Maki, who is serving as owner’s representative for PSU.

“For a number of reasons, it just was not feasible,” Maki told commissioners.

The proposed building would hold approximately 550 beds, mostly in double-occupancy units. Some units would have single or triple occupancy.

Fortis Construction is on board as general contractor. Lango Hansen is the landscape architect.

The building would also have a single classroom and three community rooms per floor. A bike parking hub would be located outside the main building.

PSU officials hope to open the student building in time for the start of the fall term in 2028.

“The timing of that is really important to us,” Wendler said.

The post PSU dorm building plan draws preservation concerns appeared first on Daily Journal of Commerce.