Dean's Barber Shop

Restore Oregon Launches the Albina Preservation Initiative

Bridging the Gap Between Traditional Historic Preservation Practices and the Lived Experiences of Black Communities in Oregon The Albina Preservation Initiative Focuses on Researching, Celebrating, and Educating Oregonians about Black History and Preservation in Oregon In effort to tell an inclusive story of Oregon’s past, Restore Oregon, Oregon’s only statewide nonprofit historic preservation organization is […]

TIME SENSITIVE ACTION: OPPOSE HB 3414 – PROTECT OREGON HERITAGE!

Ashland’s Historic Railroad District is just one example of Oregon’s historic districts and Main Streets potentially threatened under provisions in HB 3414. (Image courtesy of George Kramer) Call to Action – Oppose: HB 3414 Would Jeopardize Historic Protections and Design Regulations Statewide and Undermine Local Review  Please join Restore Oregon in lending your voice in […]

Portland’s Yamaguchi Hotel demolition

Less of This (Demolition); More of This (Call to Action)

Recent Advocacy Work of Restore Oregon – Federal and State Although there is a direct connection between policy and what happens on the ground, it‘s often difficult to make that connection. In the very big picture, if Oregon had more tools and financial incentives for historic preservation, existing historic properties would be less threatened with […]

Looking Forward on the Advocacy Front: Restore Oregon’s Legislative Agenda

Above; Three of the 17 projects requesting capital funding — Southern Oregon Historical Society’s (SOHS) event center in Medford (image: SOHS); Center for Native Arts & Cultures center in Portland; Oregon Caves Chateau (image: Friends of Oregon Caves Chateau). The Oregon Legislature has just reconvened for our state’s every-other-year “long session” which runs from now […]

Stand For Preservation: Your Voice, Your Story is Needed

The Walnut Park neighborhood in Northeast Portland. Photo credit: Dan Everhart. Tell Portland City Commissioners that Our Historic Places Matter! Take Action: Testify on the Historic Resources Code Project at Portland City Council on November 3, 2021, at 2pm The Historic Resources Code Project (HRCP) is the biggest rewrite of policies governing the management and protection of […]

In a Precedent-Setting Decision, Demolition of the Historic Yamaguchi Hotel is Approved with a Token Nod to Cultural Heritage

The Portland City Council voted unanimously to approve the demolition of the historic Yamaguchi Hotel, also known as the former Blanchet House, picture above. On July 28th, the Portland City Council voted unanimously to approve the demolition of the historic Yamaguchi Hotel (former Blanchet House), a rare and very significant building to the Japanese American/AAPI […]

Renewal of Special Assessment for Historic Properties is A “No-Go” this Legislative Session

Renewal of Special Assessment for Historic Properties is A “No-Go” this Legislative Session by Peggy Moretti At the June 7th House Revenue Committee work session, the committee chair, Representative Nancy Nathanson, decided not to move HB 2447 forward. This decision ends the bill moving in this 2021 legislative session. Special Assessment – Oregon’s only state […]