Multnomah County's compromise returns property to Lone Fir Cemetery

Daily Journal of Commerce (Portland, OR), Aug 16, 2005 by Cody McCullough

Pieces of concrete and other rubble crashed to the ground Monday as a demolition crew began the work of tearing down the exterior of Multnomah County's Morrison building.

Monday's work signaled the beginning of the end of more than a year of community involvement regarding the building's future that culminated in an archaeological dig earlier this year yielding evidence of human remains beneath the building's parking area.

The remains were discovered after Multnomah County Commissioner Maria Rojo de Steffey looked into claims that the building, which was constructed in 1953 on property that once was part of the Chinese section of Lone Fir Cemetery, was possibly built over graves that were never exhumed - a claim validated by the dig.

The walls of the Morrison building could not come down fast enough for Stephen Ying, the president of Portland's Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. Almost seven months earlier, Ying stood in the building's parking lot and watched as archaeologists uncovered remnants of wrist and arm bones from the ground.

I am overjoyed that this is happening, Ying said just minutes after the demolition work began. This is the light at the end of the tunnel, yet there is still more work that needs to be done.

Before the demolition work began, Ying spoke in front of the building, located at the corner of Morrison Street and 20th Avenue in Southeast Portland, at a press conference. Other speakers included Rojo de Steffey, Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard, who earlier this year announced the city's support for the project in the form of a $150,000 contribution for landscaping and fencing, and Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder.

Speaking at the press conference, Rojo de Steffey said that Monday's work was a milestone event.

I am still saddened by the careless disregard in the past, but I am pleased with the outcome, Rojo de Steffey said.

After the demolition work is completed, Rojo de Steffey said historical artifacts found during the archaeological dig will be transferred to the CCBA for display and the county will transfer the property to Metro to be incorporated back into the Lone Fir Cemetery. Various community-based groups then hope to raise enough funds to create a memorial at the site, she said.

Interior demolition of the building began in July. For the entire demolition project, the county plans to recycle approximately 90 percent of salvageable building materials. The cost of demolition is projected to be $480,000.

Archaeological Investigations Northwest Inc., the firm that conducted the earlier archeological investigation at the property, has been retained by the county to monitor the demolition. Any further remains found on the property will be mapped and left in place.

Regarding her work on the project Rojo de Steffey said, I feel honored to have led this project. This community, she continued, other local governments and the county all joined together and came up with this compromise solution to the Morrison property. I'm confident we're doing the right thing.