It ain’t lost. Yet.
Luke from the Save the Portland Memorial Coliseum blog graciously loaned me a copy of a booklet that was used to promote the newly built Memorial Coliseum. In it are amazing photos of the construction, the inner workings [boiler room!] and every day scenes from Portland, Oregon, circa 1958-1960.
I have to admit I’ve been on the fence on preserving the structure. But, after seeing its baby photos, I’m on board: don’t tear this baby down. It’s been spared, for now. But things can change.
Following are some of the photos from the booklet. I have also added them to my Flickr account so they can be viewed in all their glory.
Looks like an A-bomb was dropped on the existing neighborhood. Ready for the Coliseum.
During construction.
The ticketing office.
“It’s been spared, for now. But things can change.”
That “thing” comes with a price tag of about $40 million bucks because that’s how much it will cost to update to where it can be an asset to the community. Tear it down and build a new memorial for the soldiers because the one that exists now really sucks to be honest.
Yeah, how about another minor league baseball stadium for $50 million? Or a Convention Center hotel that will be as empty as the ridiculously overbuilt Convention Center itself? Or a new “entertainment district” full of Olive Gardens and TGI Friday’s? All great alternatives.
Interesting stuff!
Love the blog, too. I have spent many of my days in Oregon, and it’s great to see it represented here.
What a cool find! I found one of those for myself in a tour of a used bookstore looking for old maps.
I don’t know how much monetary value it has, but in terms of utter coolness, it’s priceless.
I’m curious to hear how you think the Coliseum should be used, if preserved. I know it’s a historical site but I’m not hearing any good ideas for how to reuse the space, other than destroying it and making way for something new.