PP&R breaks ground for Mt. Scott Community Center’s renovation

INCLUDES VIDEO | See contractors demolishing buildings while this ceremony was taking place at this outer East Portland Community Center …

-1 Before the official groundbreaking kicking off the “Mt. Scott Community Center Seismic Retrofit and Expansion Project”, crews are already at work, demolishing the back of the oldest part of the complex.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

The Mt. Scott Community Center officially closed to the public on November 23, 2023 as workers began the renovation project.

See and hear involved people talk about the project, and wee some of the historic portion of the Mt. Scott Community Center being demolished:

The official groundbreaking for the “Mt. Scott Community Center Seismic Retrofit and Expansion Project” – as it’s officially called by Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) – didn’t take place until Thursday, February 22nd, in the fenced-in area along S.E. Harold Street.

Those arriving for the observance were well aware that the contractor was already busy on the renovation.

As the ceremony gets underway, PP&R Director Adena Long welcomes everyone to the groundbreaking ceremony.

“This is an important day, and it’s so amazing to see the work beginning on this recreation center – a true community center that has been serving neighbors for over 100 years,” PP&R Director Adena Long told East Portland News.

“Interestingly, 1t’s been built, and added onto, in stages over the decades,” Long continued. “But now, it’s no longer serving as well as it can, nor as much as it needs to. We’re super excited about moving forward, making it more efficient and user-friendly, and adding amenities to make it a better place to play and connect with your neighbors.”

Telling about his exploration of the building’s hidden spaces is Mt. Scott Community Center supervisor, Adam McGowan.

During the brief ceremony, while serving as emcee, Ms. Long first brought up the Mt. Scott Community Center’s Supervisor, Adam McGowan, who told about “exploring” the attic and other hidden spaces of the building complex, and being amazed at how it had been built up over time.

Speakers also included Casey Miller from the contractor, Bremik Construction; Laura Roark of FFA Architecture, and Robin Laughlin, Portland Parks’ A&D Capital Renovations Project Manager.

From left to right: Faez Soud (PP&R Project Manager), Patti Miles (PP&R Board Member), Laura Roark (FFA Architecture), Robin Laughlin (PP&R Capital Renovation Projects Manager), Adam McGowan (Mt. Scott Community Center Supervisor), Casey Miller (Bremik Construction), and Adena Long (PP&R Director) take a ceremonial first scoop of dirt to kick-off the construction phase of the Mt. Scott Community Center project.

Then, while heavy machinery was already busy in the background demolishing parts of the old building, many at the ceremony took hold of the provided “golden shovels” and prepared to turn over dirt, to symbolize the official start of the $15 million project, which is expected to open next year.

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