Port Purchasing 'Shovel' Ready Property

The Port of Portland Commission approved the $17.25 million purchase of a 700-acre industrial site in East Multnomah County from Alcoa Inc. recently. The site is one of the few remaining large industrial properties inside the region's urban growth boundary. The sale is expected to close in 2006, after Alcoa completes site demolition and environmental remediation programs. Initial development would most likely use approximately 100 acres of the site for an industrial park. While the Port is interested in the possibility of using a portion of the site to develop an intermodal rail yard, determining the feasibility will require extensive study and analysis, and will be contingent on market conditions.

If approved, the property purchase would be funded by a 25-year, 5.1% interest loan from the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD).

Forest Center Construction Starts

A groundbreaking celebration marked the launch of construction for the Tillamook Forest Center along Highway 6 in the Tillamook State Forest, 50 miles west of downtown Portland.

When it opens in late 2005, the 13,500-sq. ft. center in the Jones Creek vicinity will be a place of public experience, dialogue, and learning about forests. It will feature innovative programs, exhibits and opportunities both inside and outside on two adjacent 40-acre parcels of forest, meadow and riverside. Visitors will gain a greater understanding about what a forest is and how it works; about how humans have shaped, and in turn been shaped by the Tillamook Forest.

The center, initiated through legislation in 1991, is a public-private partnership made possible by the non-profit Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust, the Oregon Department of Forestry and hundreds of individual, foundation, public and private supporters. The core design team for the Tillamook Forest Center includes The Miller/Hull Partnership, Aldrich Pears Associates, and Walker Macy Landscape Architects and Planners. Precision Construction of Portland is building the center.

Award-winning forest education programs, which will be based at the center once it opens, have been under way since 1997 and have reached more than 35,000 students.

Halfway House Renovation Starts

R&H Construction, Portland, is currently working on a $2.8 million renovation that will transform a former office building in northeast Portland into the new home for the Oregon Halfway House. This non-profit organization offers a residential program to assist non-violent federal offenders who are transitioning back into society.

The renovation of this two-story structure will create 32 dormitory style rooms for residents, which will more than double the space of the existing home in southeast Portland. Further improvements will include a seismic upgrade of the wood-framed structure, reconfiguration of the walls, a new HVAC system and improved electrical and fire sprinkler systems. The completed facility will include new offices, a kitchen, dining room and a recreation area for residents. The exterior will boast a revised storefront system, added stucco walls and a new roof. Waterleaf Architecture is serving as the architect on this project, which is owned by OHH LLC. Completion is scheduled for January of 2005.

McKenzie River Bridge Honored

This unique concrete suspension bridge across the McKenzie River in Eugene won an award from the Portland Cement Association in its annual competition. The project was recognized for minimizing environmental impact, clear spanning the river, and providing an economical and elegant design.

The 670-ft-long bridge features three spans: 120-ft., 430-ft., and 120-ft. The bridge utilized cast-in-place concrete for the towers and foundations, and segmental precast concrete deck panels for the suspended spans. All concrete components were cast onsite. The towers were cast in a laid-down position adjacent to the tower foundations and lifted into vertical position by a 350-ton crane. The full-length post-tensioning of the deck system after grouting deck panel joints resulted in an extremely durable and stiff bridge with an amazing deck depth to span ratio of 1:600.

Project principals were Wildish Sand & Gravel, general contractor; OBEC Consulting Engineers, engineer; Dr. Jiri Strasky, architect/consulting engineer; Wildish Standard Paving Co., contractor; Wildish Cascade Concrete, concrete supplier; and Wildish Standard Paving Co., precaster.

Gray Purcell Wins Accreditation

Associated Builders and Contractors, the Pacific Northwest Chapter renewed Portland-based general contractor Gray Purcell, Inc.'s standing in one of ABC's most important designations, the Accredited Quality Contractor (AQC) program.

The program was launched in 1993 by ABC to provide an accreditation program which publicly recognizes and honors those construction firms which have documented their commitment in four key areas of corporate responsibility: safety, employee benefits, training and community relations. AQC status is applied for on a yearly basis and firms who received AQC status must re-apply each year in order to maintain their AQC ranking.