Thursday, March 27, 2014

Blight

Ok, I'm not a neat-nick.
For those who know me well, I'll wait for the laughter and guffaws to subside. I tend to exist around clutter. I'm comfortable here. However, I know it's not right, and I really do try to organize every once in awhile. Growing up, I kept my room clutter free. Ya, Cub Scout merit badges helped out, but I learned fast that 'bad things' would happen, if I didn't clean up after myself. This is Congress Square, a prime slab of real estate in the city. To me it is not only prime but an iconic piece of Portland with a long history. My beef? Sheesh! Just take a look. It's been like this going on five years now. I don't even know what all that sidewalk crap is all about. What's up with the painted windows? Is it better than graffiti? The jury's still out on that one. Lots of promises. Little action. The latest test balloon floated out there was that a VERY upscale restaurant was taking down the plywood, putting up lots of glass and pulling in the masses.
Excuse me, if I'm not holding my breath on this one.
This is an embarrassment to the city.
My plea... please get 'er done.
Do something!

15 comments:

  1. Looks like it could easily become a landmark piece of property for one kind of enterprise or another.

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  2. Amen. We have areas such as this, too.

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  3. We have stuff like this in downtown Tulsa. It doesn't age very well.

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  4. you should photograph the other wall facing Congress Street.....it's even worse!!

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  5. The building looks very promising as landmark architecture. Money for restoration is probably the problem. I like the tower very much. Hope a wealthy developer appears on the scene...soon before there is more deterioration.

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  6. doesn't exactly compliment the structure, for sure.

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  7. I could not agree more with you! It looks like a wonderful building and it is in a great location. Whoever owns it and has tolerated that junky look on the first floor for five years should be strung up. Heck, I'll help do the stringing.

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  8. It's a fine-looking structure that needs some TLC. Let's hope that will happen in the future if your city "fathers" and "mothers" get off their respective behinds!

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  9. Eesh -- esp. because the top part is so striking . . .

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  10. I agree with you - get it done soon!

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  11. The building itself looks interesting... but yuck on the street level.

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  12. So get daring on night and go paint over it. Be a rebel.

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  13. I hate it & always wondered who allowed it or sponsored it...
    We were struck by the great view of this building the other early evening, looking up Free Street from outside the Nicolodeon...from there you can't see the ugly pink & blue thing.

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  14. You're spot on Birdman this artwork (?) doesn't work here on this wonderful old building!

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