Portions of Opinions of Locals

On the Pioneer Post Office

John Ferrell

Sam Oakland

John Mathews

General public responds to scoping search

An interesting response

John Ferrell, historian:

• I want to express my strong belief that the Pioneer Courthouse in Portland should remain a thoroughly public place, with the post office branch intact. As a Portland native, whose memories of the building go back several decades, I know that it is the heart of Portland -- a symbol that remains solid and reassuring amidst the ever changing surroundings/ Furthermore, it is very much linked to the Pioneer Courthouse square, immediately to its west. The courthouse represents Portland's tradition and the square its vibrant present. It would be strange indeed for the square to remain so public in the shadow of a building reduced to a private preserve for judges.
  
• .... Ms. Smith has made an extensive study of Mullett's legacy, which, as you may know, includes the Old Executive Office Building next to the White House, as well as other federal buildings. I believe Smith's concerns about the earthquake retrofit should be looked into by a specialist in the architecture of the period in which he [Mullett] worked, ...

Sam Oakland, leader of the save the Post Office in the Pioneer Post Office and clerk of "The Post Office Lobby" [dedicated to saving Portlan's Pioneer Courthouse Post Office]:

• Dear Friends of Portland's Pioneer Post Office:
• As you probably know, the oldest post office west of the Mississippi River and the second oldest post office in America [in continuous use as a post office] is being evicted from its historic landmark building in downtown Portland, Oregon. The issure of the loss of Portland's pioneer Post Office is not about upgrading service to the public, or a better business move, as the General Services Administration claims. And it's not about providing post office patrons in the contral business district with something different, or about a bit more security for the federal judges lodged upstairs in our vintage multi-purpose federal building. It's about something humanly simple. The issue here is cultural loss -- the taking away of our heritage, and a taking without justification. It's a plain and simple land-grab -- the theft, if you will, of a public space for an almost private use. Granted Oregon's Pioneer Post Office is no Notre Dame, nor Temple of Athena by Phidias, nor even the national post office in Dublin, where modern Irish history began its life. But it's our building, and it's important to Portland, Oregon history and culture. Look at the bronze plate on the side of the building and then carefully note the words:

• The structure is a post office building with room upstairs for some federal judges. That is why it was built -- that is why it still stands. And Oregonians flock here to buy stamps, not to sit in on a rare appeal court case. The primary public use of the building is for post office business, with most of the rest of the building morgue-like, most of the time. Yet the judges want to kick the post office and the public out. And why? They want it all -- they want a private clubhouse for themselves, their servants, and their friends, with an 11 space private parking lot in the basement as well. And they want this all at the public's expense. The General Services Administration supports the private club idea though it uses a different term for it -- better business -- that's easy to sell. But here the GSA has invoked the old shell game to justify justification of the eviction and the renovation. Earthquake proofing becomes the one walnut shell under which the pea is hidden, while the other two shells spin around empty, but looking impressively busy.
• The GSA tells the Oregonian newspaper that the removal of the post office from a building where judges have courts is an anti-terrorist move. And the Oregonian buys that line and even uses it in an editorial supporting the eviction of the post office. But the line rings false because of the parking lot scheduled as part of the judicial renovation. That basement parking lot is hardly an anti-terrorist move--that's an invitation to terrorists -- a gold-plated invitation. Remember the World Trade Center! The GSA also tells the Oregonian that the eviction will bring better postal service downtown. And the Oregonian buys this line too. There is a demand for post office boxes the GSA says, yet 98 out of every 100 post office patrons who come out of the Pioneer Post office don't want a PO box, or anything changed for that matter. The GSA says a better ground-level entrance would serve the public better, especially those who need help to get around. yet the wheelchair drivers who use the present ramp at the Pioneer location aren't looking for another entrance or another location. This one is the best possible -- it's between the trolly tracks and the bus lanes -- what could be better for those who use public transit? Nothing in this city -- nothing downtown or in any part of town!!
• How can a tiny post office that is second in stamp sales out of 740 postal stations in Oregon do any better? Maybe using Pioneer Square as a parking lot would help -- maybe business would pick up -- maybe the Pioneer Post Office could be number one if it tried harder. How is it that only the GSA, a judge, and one low level postal employee got to make the eviction decision without asking the public? That's not the American way. So what's going to happen now that it has been noticed that a verdict was handed down before evidence was reviewed? All sides now know that Pioneer postal patrons were never asked what they thought about possible eviction. It's lucky there is still time to reverse the GSA decision and redraw the plans for the renovation. Very lucky because the Pioneer Post Office is a peoples post office, a foot traffic meeting place, an historic reference point, a part of our heritage. Patrons love it and don't want to see it change or disappear. They don't come to it in automobiles, and they certainly don't want a parking lot, or post office boxes, or glass doors that swing open when they see you coming.
• The Pioneer Post Office is also a place where international guests buy American postage stamps and send messages to every corner of this round globe. And if the GSA is truly looking to make things better for the public it ought to think about putting a post office museum store in the vacant space just across the lobby from the teller windows, in Senator Mark hatfield's old office that's been sitting vacant for years. A post office museum store is a right ticket for the space, and a profitable right ticket as well. And that's a positive move, and something that's good for everyone, even the judges upstairs. Certainly the Pioneer Post Office isn't the Cathedral at Chartres, but it represents a small bit of what little we have of our past in this new city and it ought to be saved in place and even expanded. It's better to do this, than to give it over to a few judges so they can have a lunchroom, a few extra closets, and one new shower stall in the present post office space. And that plan for cutting a hole in the side of the building for a parking lot entrance -- now that's one for the books -- closed books not open ones.
• The public is against the eviction of the post office from the Pioneer Post Office building -- that's certain -- that's clear. But the public would be for an expanded post office right on the historic spot where it is now and ought to stay. And if the GSA, when it does get around to earthquake proofing the historic structure, would design a post office museum store in Senator Hatfield's vacant office space. Wow!! That would be a coup -- much more than a clever stratagem -- that would be good business -- better business. Afterall, how many post office museum stores are there in this place called America? And what better place to put one, that in an historic setting? And besides the walk-in traffic, there's also a bundle to be made in the mail order business. Stamps are bug business all over the world from what I've seen in my travels. Portland's Pioneer Post Office Museum Store -- we serve the world. Now that's some place I'd like to visit, and even before earthquake proofing the basement beneath. Actually, the museum store could go in before the end of summer and be turning a profit before Yule. The modifications for the space are simple ones and easily done. There's twelve million American dollars in the earthquake proofing and renovation pot. Now here's a plan that makes good sense use of the money, and in the long run will even make money. The post office stays and the parking lot goes. A post office museum store is created in the vacant Hatfield office space with a double door entrance from the post office lobby. The back lobby door would also be available for use because it opens on the safe side of the security check point. Easy to design, easy to do with the space already available and waiting. This is a renovation that the public could live with -- a design Portland's Pioneer Post Office patrons would welcome. A design that would make history.

"Renovation of an older building raises the prospect of encountering asbestos-containing materials. The Department can assist you and your contractors by explaining the regulations and providing guidance on compliance issues.

The Department recommends a thorough asbestos inspection early in the planning stages to avoid costly delays or potential environmental hazards. ...

One called it "Bizarre" another said "The federal government has had difficulty in relating to the needs of the general public across the entire county. In a small way the suggested changes to the Courthouse reflect the lack of a general understanding of the need for public to have contact with the federal government. The Post Office provides a direct avenue for the public in downtown to meet simple needs. ..." Another wrote "Please develop a program that involves public use of new halls and rooms for meetings and receptions if you close the post office We at Pioneer Courthouse Square would be willing to move our office from the square at Hatfield's offices and manage the public use of the building for events." And still another "The parking spaces are not needed. They will work against Federal, State, and City of Portland efforts to reduce auto travel and reduce air pollution. ... The large swath to be cut out of the lawn to accommodate the garage entrance will permanently alter the historic character of the site and the buildings setting. The vehicle trips that will cross the transit lanes and the sidewalks will disrupt transit systems operation and pedestrian travel in the very center of Portland's public transit system." Another wrote: "I've worked within 4 blocks of this building for 16 years and I've used the postal facility hundreds of times. It used to be accessable by all 4 doors on the site, but now, due to security, the public must all enter via one door. I've always enjoyed watching tourists to Port. come all over the world have access to this historic and beautiful structure. can be expanded to include open public access to more of the building. I will find other places to deal with my mail. It is such a thrill to be at this public hearing because it is the 1st time in my 16 years of visiting here that I've ever gained access to the 2nd floor. The security here did not start with the OK City bombing, it started in earnest with the Gulf War. I've felt resentment that only a few privileged or invited were allowed into much of this public place. And most emphatically -- there is no excuse for an underground parking facility here."

An interesting comment:

"Public use of the building for the Post Office is convenient for mass transit users, especially elderly, disabled, & students. It encourages more positive reasons to be in the area which makes it safer for young people and elderly. We need to encourage use of mass transit and to create a safe downtown for our citizens. Pioneer Square area is a transfer point, meeting point, and special events area. Let's foster its positive use by keeping the post office here. And allow the public to continue to enjoy and appreciate the historic, beautiful courthouse building."

There were many more responses but these are typical.