The Cleveland High School in Portland, Oregon, is set to undergo a major renovation, but a small but vocal group is pushing to prevent the school's demolition. The school, built in 1929, has been in dire need of repairs for over a decade, with ongoing heating and cooling issues, ceiling failures, and outdated equipment. The community has been waiting for modernization, and a nearly $2 billion school bond passed last year is now making it possible. However, some historic preservation advocates argue that the school's historical value should be considered. The building is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and Portland City Landmarks, and a 2024 Historic Resource Assessment recommends retaining interior historic features. A petition to save the school has gathered over 875 signatures, and the City of Portland's Historic Landmarks Commission has also expressed reservations over the project. The Commission urges the school district to reconsider alternatives that retain the building's historic character. However, the school district argues that the current structure is one of the least energy-efficient buildings in the district and that upgrading older systems would not create the same carbon footprint reduction as new systems in a new structure. The district is taking steps to preserve the building's history, including using salvaged materials and seeking a new home for the school's historic theater organ. As of now, demolition is anticipated to begin in July, with construction estimated to wrap up in the fall of 2029. This raises a deeper question about the balance between preserving history and creating modern, sustainable infrastructure.
