On December 4, 2017, the time-honored tradition of groundbreaking was observed for the Portland Building reconstruction project, where project leaders and representatives took hammers to one of the walls to be torn down, marking the ceremonial beginning of the the construction phase. With the first floor packed with nearly 100 people, media filmed several speeches and statements from the following leaders in the project:

• Tom Rinehart, Chief Administrative Officer
• Maurice Henderson, Mayor’s Chief of Staff
• Tim Crail, Commissioner Fritz’s Chief of Staff
• Kristin Wells, Reconstruction Project Manager
• Mike Day, President of Day CPM
• Troy Dickson, Senior Vice President of Howard S. Wright Construction
• Carla Weinheimer, Senior Associate at DLR Group designs

The culmination of several years of effort, this event marked the conclusion of the design phase and the beginning of the actual reconstruction work. The reconstruction will result in an adaptable building that will serve the needs of the City well into the future. The project includes a thoughtful reconstruction of the building exterior that will keep the weather out of the building while respecting the historical significance of the original design.  Additionally, the building’s operational systems and seismic structure will be modernized.

The reconstructed structure is designed to provide a welcoming space for community members and a productive work environment for employees.  As well as construction, the project will allow the City to assess how it will use the new space to improve its customer service and the coordination of its bureaus. For more information about what to expect during this reconstruction, refer to this informational handout and the resources below.