On July 27, 2007, Outreach Program Coordinator, Tiffani Penson took the summer interns from IRCO, School to Work, and Building Inspector Trainee Lamar Kelsaw on a field trip to the Armory located at 128 NW Eleventh Ave in the Pearl District. It was the first time that all of the students had ever been to or even heard of the Armory. In addition, many of the students had never been to the Pearl District, so the experience was great for them.
Tour guide Charlie Sax provided the students with the rich history of the Armory. The Armory was originally constructed in 1891 to meet the needs of the National Guard, but by the mid 1890’s it functioned as a concert, meeting and dance hall, also hosting opera singers and later sporting events such as wrestling matches, basketball and tennis games. The renovation of the Armory is significant, not only because of the history, but because it was restored as a Sustainable Renaissance. The Armory now referred to as the Portland Center Stage Gerding Theater is recognized as the first building on the National Register of Historic Places and the first performing arts facility in the world to achieve the US Green Building Council’s highest certificate level: LEED Platinum. This means that the structure is energy efficient and is able to perform 30% more efficiently than the code requires. Water Conservation, Natural Ventilation, Lighting and Heat, Recycling of construction waste and the Day to Day operations all play a significant part in this building’s sustainability.
It was a great opportunity for our students to experience a piece of the culture our city has to offer. Not only was the building of interest to them, but many expressed interest in attending one of the plays offered at the Theater. I am honored to have such a great group of students on board this year and will continue to introduce them to the many opportunities our beautiful city has to offer.
For more information on the Summer Intern Program contact Tiffani Penson at (503) 823-1109.
Tiffani Penson,
BDS Outreach Coordinator
What a great experience -- learning not only the building and city history, but being exposed to all the different career paths that went into making the building what it is today. And most high school students have probably never heard of "green building".
Thanks for providing this opportunity!
Janice