Portland Building update, March 2018

The Portland Building Reconstruction Project showed significant progress with the seismic upgrades this month. You can see photos here! Layers of rebar were laid around the core and the mat slab was poured. Vertical dowels have also been set in place in preparation for the reinforced concrete shear walls that will make the lateral connections starting in the basement and climbing the building level by level. 

Demolition continues to be another main focus of the work crews. The top two floors are finished and great progress has been made on the first three floors as well.  The lobby looks very different than it did even a month ago. The stairs leading to level 2 are gone and a majority of the walls and floors have been stripped down to bare concrete. Ninety percent of the demolition of levels two and three has been completed. The tower crane was even used to assist with the removal of the largest pieces of mechanical equipment from those floors. Most of the other levels have seen some activity as well, from the removal of the acoustic ceiling tiles or carpet to the demolition of interior walls and data and HVAC systems.

You may have noticed many changes to the exterior in the past few weeks. Portlandia has been surround by scaffolding and wrapped in thick plastic for her protection. Removal of the teal tile has begun on the three lower levels and in early in April, mast climber work platforms will be installed on the north and west elevations to assist the crews in the façade demolition of upper levels. 

Four new bureau work groups, made up of one representative from each of the City bureaus, have begun. Specific areas being discussed include public engagement spaces, meeting spaces, shared bureau spaces, and individual bureau spaces. They will be working on furniture selections, space planning, and operational plans for our future building.