PDXme

PDXppl is a series of profiles of Portlanders and what they do. Be sure to take a look at the PDXppl page on the right-hand sidebar of this page where you can keep up on the urban gens of Portland!

Nancy Stovall, Image compliments of Nancy Stovall.

Over the past couple of weeks I have been a harsh critic of the University of Oregon's (UO) plans to alter the design of the "Made in Oregon" sign and the Water Tower, two Portland icons in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood. Realizing the compromise for the "Made in Oregon" sign to read "Oregon," was reasonable given the circumstances, I took to the University's proposal to place its "O" logo on the adjacent water tower that currently reads "Old Town."

In my quest to learn more about the key players in this debate, among them UO, Portland City Council, the Historic Landmarks Commission, I found that one key entity was missing. Although this may have seemed obvious in our process-loving town, it seems the Old Town Chinatown Neighborhood Association has yet been given its own soapbox to stand on. I left a message for the Neighborhood Association, and Nancy Stovall was kind enough to give me a call back. Below is her and her neighborhood association's take on the debate that has pervaded Portland's publications for four months as well as more information about Old Town Chinatown, one of Portland's many prized neighborhoods.

PDXme: Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Nancy Stovall; I'm the Vice Chair of the Old Town Chinatown Neighborhood Association.

PDXme: What do Portland and the Old Town Chinatown (OTCT) area mean to you?

I live in Old Town, it's my neighborhood. I love living in an urban environment; I moved here from suburban Atlanta almost 3 years ago. Within the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood boundaries there are two National Historic Districts: Skidmore-Old Town and Japantown-New Chinatown. Most Portlanders don't realize that this is where Portland began. Captain Couch's land claim encompassed what is now Old Town, Chinatown, the Pearl, Nob Hill and some of NW Portland, but there's very few historic buildings anywhere except Old Town Chinatown. Those of us who live here understand that we're only caretakers for the next generation--but there needs to be a balance. Portland needs to take action to preserve what's remaining and revitalize this historic neighborhood.

PDXme: Can you give us an idea as to what the Old Town Chinatown Neighborhood Association has done in the past?

The neighborhood association has partnered with the city of Portland, Portland Development Commission (PDC), the OTCT Business Association, the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association and other public and private organizations to preserve and document the neighborhood's history, and champion new development. The Visions Committee grew out of the NA to plan and document a neighborhood charter for preservation and development. The OTCT Visions Plan was adopted by the City, and has been revisited and updated over the past 10 years as work has developed.

PDXme: Regarding the much-publicized debate around the “Made in Oregon” sign and “Old Town” water tower, can you give us the neighborhood association’s perspective of the proposed design changes?

"Made in Oregon" sign and "Old Town" water tower for now as seen from the Burnside Bridge. Photo courtesy of m.johns of Flickr, Creative Commons.

UO has spent a great deal of time, money and energy in faithfully restoring the White Stag Block. The "Made in Oregon" sign has a wonderful past--I wish more people knew about it and could see some of the old pictures. It has always represented the building's tenant--first White Satin Sugar, the White Stag, then Made in Oregon and now U of O. The University understands what historic preservation means to Portland, Oregon and to the neighborhood, and have engaged the NA throughout their process. The water tower has been restored to a working condition thanks to U of O. The NA is completely in support of the historic restoration that U of O has brought to Old Town.

PDXme: What is your personal view towards the proposed changes?

If you take the larger view, the perspective changes. I applaud the University's agreement to lease the Oregon sign and restore the water tower. Portland is famous for its recycle, re-use ethic--this is a great example of the University's commitment to sustainable use. The White Stag Block--the entire Old Town neighborhood, actually--was originally a center for commerce. From the first time that Captain Couch sailed into the port, he knew that he'd make his fortune--and his home--in Old Town. I wonder what he would think of this debate.

PDXme: What has the University of Oregon done to include the neighborhood association in its decision-making?

The U of O has regularly attended our meetings, presented their plans and asked for input and support from the NA. Their work has always been carefully researched and is appropriate from the NA perspective.

PDXme: What would you suggest to Portlanders that just can’t let go of these two Portland landmarks?

There's no need to let go of them--thanks to the U of O they'll still be landmarks. The sign is owned by Ramsay Signs, and leased to the tenant of the building. The lease to Made in Oregon was up, and U of O stepped up to take over the lease. The history of the sign continues. The sign will not change dramatically; the major component of the sign have been constrained to prevent that. The shape, the stag, the colors and pattern of the lights, and even the font are all required to remain the same. The water tower has been saved and restored for Portland. There needs to be more of this type of work in Old Town--without restoration, many buildings will crumble and we'll lose these historic landmarks.

PDXme: Anything else you’d like to tell us?

I'd like to invite all of Portland to come down to the neighborhood--visit the history of the city, and feel the vibe of the area. Old Town is a friendly area--we know our neighbors. I like to say that we're "living history". There's retail, restaurants, arts, culture, commerce and education in Old Town--all in historic buildings and surroundings. Portland is great because of it's small block sizes and diverse neighborhoods. That all started here. Check out our website--oldtownchinatown.org--to see where to shop and eat and what to see and do. All ages and all walks of life will find something fun to do in Old Town Chinatown.

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So there you have it. It looks like the University of Oregon has made the effort to work with its new community in Portland, unlike the way I had characterized the University in previous posts. Although I am not for the proposed changes to the "Made in Oregon" sign, and much less those to the "Old Town" water tower, I respect the fact that communication has been taking place between the University and the Old Town Chinatown Neighborhood Association. Now it's up to the Historic Landmarks Commission to decide on the validity of the proposed redesigns. If you'd like to attend the Commission's meeting to speak for or against the proposed changes, please see the information below.

Landmarks Commission Hearing
Monday, July 27, 2009 at 1:30PM
1900 SW 4th Ave, Room 2500A

View the hearing agenda.

If you would like to testify in front of the commission, it would be best to arrive before 1:30pm to see the clerk in order to put your name on the list. Public comment is limited to three minutes per person.

For related "Made in Oregon" sign and "Old Town" water tower information, visit the general information page updated by the Bureau of Development Services.