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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2012)
4 • The Southwest Portland Post BUSINESS December 2012 Construction of new Multnomah Safeway supermarket on schedule THE COUNTRY STORE By Erik Vidstrand The Southwest Portland Post The old Safeway on Barbur Boule- vard with the classic, curved roof is gone. So are the parking lot and the house directly behind the property. A deep hole to house two new ce- ment fittings is there instead. There won’t be any underground parking. Parking will be on surface lots at street level. This Safeway will utilize a new po- dium style where the store is located on the second floor with parking un- derneath. Bike racks will be installed, and of course, Portland bioswales will be present. The new store will even cater to dogs; a drinking fountain for pooches will be installed. Eric Huth, Superintendent for Rob- ertson and Olson Construction, says everything is going smoothly. Approxi- mately 20 construction workers are now on site and expected to increase by 80 after the holidays. “Many items were recycled or are being reused in the new facility,” stated Huth. “Old 2x12s are being refitted, concrete pulverized and the metal was salvaged.” Even the large wall clock and phar- macy sign were donated to takers. So far everything is going smoothly. According to Huth, no complaints of noise, traffic disruption or construction issues have occurred. While the project will not follow a LEED certification, the building will use natural light and reclaim rainwater. “Visitors have been curious,” Huth said. “All we ask is that you don’t enter the fenced area. Safety is our main goal.” Huth will be putting his personal cell phone number on the billboard facing Barbur Boulevard. “If anyone has concerns or ques- tions, please call me. I’ll handle your concerns as best I can.” Grand Opening is slated for fall 2013. Empty Pagenwood building expected to be filled by February Multnomah Villagers have been wondering what is going on with Tom Pagenstacher’s old woodwork- ing shop at the corner of Southwest Capitol Highway and 35 th Avenue in Multnomah Village. Speculation on everything from a dance hall, to a sushi restaurant to a pizza parlor has surfaced in discus- sions on the recent First Friday. Adam Khawaja, retail broker for Urban Works Real Estate, reported that the building will remain intact, not adding any floors or expansion, and could perhaps be divided in half. “As you know, when you have the City [of Portland] involved,” said Footings are being installed for the new Safeway under construction at Barbur Boulevard and Capitol Hill Road. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand) Khawaja, “there are lots of permits involved and repairs that need to be brought up to code.” Urban Works has been fielding sev- eral offers and hoping on delivery of the new tenants in sixty days. “We want to make sure it’s the best fit forthecommunity,”Khawajareplied. Long-time resident Stu Ellis said he hoped there would be a much needed sushi bar and restaurant. A bartender at O’Connor’s had heard it would be a pizza parlor. Thinker Toys co-owner Joan Stein- bach said whoever the new tenants would be, they would be a great addi- tion to the village. Once a grocery and later a Chevrolet dealership, the building was home to Pagenwood Restoration for decades. Recently completed Barbur Walgreens remains mysteriously empty The lights are on but nobody’s home. The new Walgreens at the corner of Southwest Barbur Boulevard and Capitol Highway has been completed since October but the store remains empty and no one seems to want to talk about it. The corporate office said it was “un- authorized” to make any comments about the store and calls were directed to the regional manager. After six un- returned calls, a search for information on the website came up empty. “Hmmm, it’s quite strange,” replied a clerk at another local Walgreens who wished to remain anonymous. “Normally these new projects need time to place new items in the store, fill up the shelves, etc.” said one Walgreens manager. “It passed all the permits.” A chain link fence secures the prop- erty. Landscaping adorns the perimeter and neon lights boldly display the Walgreen logo. If anyone has any additional infor- mation, please contact The Post.