Portland State University has just filed a 120-day demolition permit for two historic 1930s residence halls adjacent to the Portland Park Blocks, a designated historic site to which these buildings are significant contributors. This reckless move comes at a time when PSU is facing serious financial struggles. Why demolish irreplaceable historic resources to build new housing they can’t afford for a declining student population—especially when they have available, vacant land? In a housing crisis, we can't afford to be removing existing, available, multi-family housing. This decision is shortsighted and unnecessary, and has huge carbon and climate impacts. 

Of note, these buildings are eligible for national registry listing because of their historic, cultural, and architectural importance. Montgomery Court was designed by Portland's most famous architect, A.E. Doyle and has a significant importance in women's history. PSU has let the buildings decline through willful disinvestment, however, these buildings are too important to the downtown and our city's identity to lose. There will be no demolition review hearing or any way for the public to have a voice unless you speak out now.

Sign the petition now to urge PSU to withdraw the demolition permit and send a letter using our template encouraging them to retrofit the buildings instead and retain existing housing. PSU has existing vacant land already they can use for new housing without demolishing our heritage. 

Sign the Petition: https://www.change.org/p/psu-moves-to-demolish-historic-park-blocks-residence-halls