Moving Day, Portland OR
It seems there is always something going on in our neighborhood. This historic mansion was scheduled to move today. I was going to post this picture yesterday, but upon hearing more about the move, I opted to tell the whole story today.
This 120 year old Victorian was going to be demolished by a developer, but it was saved by a neighborhood committee, who had to find someone to move the house off the lot. They were able to find someone take it and they only had to pay $1.00. A family bought it and plan to rehab it on a new lot two miles away. You’d think the moving day would be the hardest, but come to find out it wasn’t. City red tape reared it’s ugly head, which nearly killed this deal. The details of the permit drama can be found here.
I got out early to see the progress, which was slow. Power lines and cars had to be moved. There was drama with the car situation. A kind of standoff unfolded as the owner of a mini van parked on the path finally showed up after her car was already hooked up, got in it and refused to leave it. Somehow she saw the futility of her actions (and the two story house coming at her) and finally got out.
The man on the right lived in that house back in the 50’s. He gave the new owners photos of himself in front of the house and of his sister’s wedding, which took place there.
Coming up Mississippi Ave.
Bringing down the power lines which went right back up.These guys were total pros.
There she goes.