How to save the U.S. Custom House
O columnist Anna Griffin bemoans the fact that the historic U.S. Custom House in Portland needs so much modernization work that the federal government can't even give it away. But she, like everyone else involved in this story, seems to be missing an obvious, cheap, and sustainable way out: Grow vines up the sides of the building. They would provide more than adequate earthquake support, and any existing ADA concerns surrounding the aging structure could be remedied by groups of fit, young creative-class rock climbers carrying sedan-chair-type lifts up the exterior walls. The oxygen-producing plants would mitigate asbestos contamination as well as absorbing deadly greenhouse gases. Come on, Anna -- don't give up so needlessly when cheap, environmentally sensitive, proven technology is readily available. Think green jobs, people!
| Posted at 9:51 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (6)
Jack:
I don't think that plan spends enough money to be green.
Posted by Lc Scott | March 31, 2010 12:08 PM
Moreover, the Prince of Peace has just decreed today that oil may be good! It may even be doubleplus good! What will that mean for the vines?
Perhaps we will just need the feds to pay for more of them, yes, that's it!
Posted by Save us, Obamachrist! | March 31, 2010 2:13 PM
The Prince also declared today that nuclear is good too. I agree, but I just enjoy the hypocrisy of the dems condemning nuclear when other administrations proposed it, but now it's good.
Posted by lw | March 31, 2010 3:01 PM
The 23 million the city is spending to build a brand new day center would have refurbished the Customs House and also provide operating money too. It could have been a mental health detox center. The land the latest boondoggle is being built on could have been developed into a skateboard park with the remaining funds.
Posted by John Benton | March 31, 2010 3:17 PM
John Benton . . . yes, and don't forget the new "sustainability center." If the city wanted to truly support sustainability, it would retrofit an existing building to show what could be done with what's already out there. That would be a fiscally responsible move in difficult economic times when most businesses cannot swing financing for a brand spanking new building (with vines or without).
Posted by NW Portlander | March 31, 2010 6:15 PM
Don't use English Ivy!
Posted by Michelle | April 1, 2010 7:35 AM