Centennial Mills and the Mounted Police: They Move Horses, Don't They?

I just spent some time on the Centennial Mills website reading the Framework Plan put together by the Portland Development Commission.

Looking at the maps, reading about the building site and imagining the landmark that the Mills site has the potential to become, one uncertainty seems to stand out: the police department's Mounted Patrol Unit (MPU) Paddock. You know, the horse stables.

(By the way, no disrespect meant to the Police department, but regarding cops on horseback - what century is this? Is there a parade going on? And is there a member of Portland's finest cleaning up after these creatures? Perhaps next the fire department could try stagecoaches.)

The Mounted Patrol stables and adjoining offices sit right between where a new renovated Centennial Mills would go and where the under-construction Waterfront Pearl condos. More importantly, the police facility sits right at the intersection of Naito Parkway and Ninth Avenue, the only entrance point to the Pearl District for several blocks. In ther words, the stables are occupying the natural gateway to the future Centennial Mills.

To be successful, it seems like the Mills site will need to have somewhat of an iconic presence, a fusion of the industrial architectural heritage there and the modern, sustainable future. It certainly wouldn't hurt if it were beautiful and striking. But the repairs to existing mills (or what's left of them) could get pretty expensive. Oh, and there also needs to be a nice pedestrian bridge over Naito, preferably connected with the boardwalk begun with Peter Walker's master plan and Jamison Square park.

In order to pay for the architecture at Centennial Mills, a prospective developer would be able to make a profit a lot easier if the police MPU facility were moved and new buildings replaced them. Condos are the obvious possibility here, but commercial office space or apartments are conceivable as well.

In the Framework Plan under 'Redevelopment Issues to Consider', the issue of the stables is addressed:

"The MPU is expected to be accommodated on the Centennial Mills site unless a viable alternative site can be secured...that is proximate to downtown. If the MPU is kept in its existing configuration...the redevelopable area will be greatly reduced and the current access restrictions will be maintained."

One other possibility, a compromise of sorts, also exists:

"If the MPU is reconfigured elsewhere on the site, there is greater opportunity for consolidating its program and accommodating new uses on the former location."

Personally, I'd like to see the horse facility go. It's certainly unfortunate that public dollars have been invested fairly recently in that location. The police indeed deserve a quality facility in a reasonably close-in location. But this is very valuable land, not just economically, but as a catalyst in a booming neighborhood's next step: a re-invigoration of the northen riverfront by way of celebrating the city's industrial heritage.

I made fun of the existence of mounted patrol units earlier, but that's not the point. The police deserve good facilities - just maybe not on this site anymore. Are we serious about making Centennial Mills a great place? If so, I say we need the horsey barn to move out of the way.

It's a little bit weird to me that in its Framework Plan, PDC basically seems to throw its hands up and say, "We'd like to move it but we probably can't - unless you want to give it a try. Maybe the police will move for you. They wouldn't when we asked." But give them credit for being honest about the situation.

Does anyone know whether Mayor Potter has expressed a position on the MPU? As a former police officer, it's understandable for his honor to be loyal to his old department. However, as mayor he may recognize the broader importance of a Centennial Mills site expanded to include the MPU site. That scale seems to have greater potential to attract the sizable development investment we're all hoping for. This would be a good opportunity for one of our city leaders to make some deals behind the scenes, perhaps in a Katz-esque kind of way, to get this done.

If I understand the Framework Plan correctly, the door remains open, if however unlikely, to an MPU move. To me, that means it will take money and political deal-making. Who in City Hall can make the wheels turn on this, or is it folly to imagine it happening?

Comments

[chris]

If my memory recalls correctly, the MPU has a 20 year lease on the location with an option to renew for another 10. The MPU is open to moving, but only if they get a facility that is of equal value to them. Meaning, *not* some place out on the Columbia far away from downtown. I think there is a perception by the MPU that Portland reluctantly gives the needed resources to the MPU.

I agree that the MPU is the elephant in the room. They will need to be moved off the waterfront property for the Mills to really blossom. If/when they are relocated, I hope it is still in NW, since I have enjoyed the MPU presence at 9th and Front for 15 years. However, I wouldn't be surprised if they are offered something in the developing south waterfront area.

As for who can push this... I have no idea. I think everyone is in holding right now, waiting to see what RFQs appear before committing to any relocations.

[MarkDaMan]

I remember reading the Feds were turning over their parking lot at the former INS building to the city for an additional North Park block. That could be a suitable location for the MPU.

[chris]

May not be big enough. The MPU currently has stables and running grounds that seems to exceed that available real estate. The ODOT maintained (?) areas under the Freemont or Marquam bridges seem big enough and always vacant. I have no idea what issues those locations create for ODOT or the MPU.

[ws]

It would be great if the mills complex were an entertaining and educational attraction drawing on the role of the mills in industry. The MPU might fit right into this concept.

PR is a great strength of the MPU due to the appreciation many people have for beautifully trained and cared for horses. Why not take advantage of that as a means of enhancing what would hopefully be the mills complex emphasis on entertainment and education? Admission fees for omething like this could even conceivably help offset the expense of sustaining the MPU.

[sk]

Relocation under a freeway bridge is problamtic. ODOT won't allow any structures under their bridges because of liability and need for access. However, paddocks might be OK.

About 5 or so years back there was talk of moving the MPU over near the Eastbank Esplanade. However, among the concerns were the accessive noise and its potential impact to the horses.

I recall that the MPU wants close and convenient access to downtown. South Waterfront might just be too inconvenient for the MPU.

[Ray Whitford]

Not to say I would only want this but what about this suggestion:

Move the MPU to the land directly SW of the Powell Butte Nature Park (locals back in the 60s had a special name for the Butte which is our little secret) that is privately owned and give the owner (unk name to me and sorry I don't know the name of the Stable business name) some more business. Or buy the owner out. Use the horses to support the large parks on the East Side (Powell Butte, Tabor, the future 1,000 arces in Damascus). Bring the horses into Downtown for large or small crowd events only (political, Rose Quarter effects, parades, Waterfront events). Keep them on trails more to give them more exercise on dirt (less hoof issues).

Plus having some cops on horses (bikes?) on the trails at Powell Butte would make the locals/visitors feel safer. It is tough for the police to get into the Park (it is a big place).

And down the road (twenty-thirty years) if light rail goes out to Damascus on Foster Road, you could have a short spur with a barn for a horse rail car in order to move the horses cheaply from 136th and Foster to Downtown.

Maybe turn the property into the MPU and mountain bike training facility! Bikes are a big part of Portlands crime prevention. Getting cops onto the trails in Forest Park and Powell Butte seems to make sense. At least to me.

Finally the location is very close to the Springwater Trail which will help get the police onto the trail daily for runs by bikes and horses easier. Think of a police officier living near 136th and Raymond who walks to work and moving down the Springwater in the AM and out in the PM. Gresham might even consider supportting the Stable/Bike shop in order to get some presence into the Gresham Buttes park land down the road; large crowd events in Downtown or at MHCC; or getting into places where local gangs think the police cars can't go. and for large events.
Just a idea.

Ray Whitford

[Zonk]

I, personally, welcome our new horsey overlords.

[m conroy]

i don't see why they shouldn't stay in nw. no one complains about the horses in manhattan or any other city with class. why must everything be modernized. they already paved over the cobblestones, why take away the horses too.

[brian]

I hear that the Pearl residents have started a petition that they soften their whinnying during certain hours.

[robert]

I hear that the Pearl residents have started a petition that they soften their whinnying during certain hours.

[Modern Maven]

Horses are actually very good for crowd control purposes. They are large animals that people will get out of the way for and keep the officer somewhat elevated and safe above the fray. Also, they are great for public relations. Kids love the horses. A lot of cities use them.

[Fred Leeson]

The Police Bureau wants the horses close to downtown and the Pearl. They have looked for other locations and have not found one. This is more complex than it seems. The fact is, MPU will be there for quite some time.

[Aneeda]

Maybe the horses can roam the new 'Fields' park. This city could use more interesting collisions of uses.

[Peter]

I want to second ws' observation earlier: the MPU can be a really positive contributing part of the mixture of programs, landscape, and built environment at the Centennial Mills site. Not only would it be good "PR", but the public would really enjoy contact (within bounds the police can determine) with the horses. An atmosphere of work and grit could remain alongside a new atmosphere of recreation and education.

[Justin]

I agree with zonk, keeping the horses gives Portland a charm like New York, and not to mention Europe still uses horses why can't we? Why do we have to be so 'modernized'? We have taken away our culture and most of our children know absolutely nothing about Portland's history. So I believe we should keep the MPU, especially since I plan on joining the MPU...