Troutdale chooses East County company for centennial arch project

Mayor expresses ambivalence about funding

By Shannon Wells

The Gresham Outlook, Mar 11, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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After no other contractor came forward with a competitive bid, Troutdale City Council cleared the way for Bremik Construction to build a long-promised centennial arch across the entrance to the downtown business district.

East County-based Bremik offered to complete the project at cost as it works on a five-month remodeling project at Caswell Gallery, a business adjacent to the planned gateway arch site on Historic Columbia River Highway. As required by state and municipal codes, city officials published a notice to attract bids for the project in a trade newspaper, but no bids resulted from an early February advertisement placed in the Daily Journal of Commerce.

Council members had voted unanimously in early January to transfer responsibility for up to $141,857 from the Troutdale Historical Society – the organization behind the project’s fund-raising – to the city.

Some councilors, including Mayor Jim Kight, expressed concern about committing such a sum for an enhancement-type project during a global economic crisis. Others say they feel the project perfectly symbolizes the confidence needed to rise above the prevailing financial gloom.

“I’d say it’s a demonstration of confidence in our downtown,” said Dave Ripma, former city councilor and Troutdale Historical Society member. “It will be a big draw to our downtown and therefore a help in the economic recovery. It will help downtown businesses.”

Plus, he added, the steel-and-stone edifice was something the city promised citizens as Troutdale celebrated its 100th birthday nearly two years ago.

“It was a promise made to the citizens that shouldn’t be broken,” he said. “It shows that even in these times Troutdale cares about its citizens and citizens care about the city and its success.”

Work could begin on the stone supports for the steel arch as early as late spring, Ripma noted.

Kight, who supported the project in recent council votes, said he remains apprehensive about the timing of the city’s financial commitment.

Council members had hoped a chunk of $212,000 first set aside to enhance parking for a possible Multnomah County library branch at the vacant Discovery Block could be channeled to the arch. Unforeseen expenses – including electrical and water-related problems at City Hall and the purchase of private land behind the building – have all but consumed the surplus funds, he noted.

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