A New Role for Satyricon's Space

The reincarnation of the Satyricon site in Chinatown as low-income housing took a step forward this week.

The Macdonald Center and the City of Portland's Design Commission met Thursday, April 7 to discuss a new use for the spot that featured the iconic punk nightclub before it closed last October.

The Macdonald Center, a local outreach and housing nonprofit, is proposing to tear down the building and to replace it with a seven-story structure with 42 apartments for low-income residents and women who need a safe, affordable place to live.

Attempts to save and reuse the building are too costly, says architect Greg Mitchell.

proposed design

Paul Verhoeven, executive director of Portland Saturday Market, says the neighborhood does not want canopies because they create a great place for the homeless to set up camp. The design commission will revisit any adjustments to the plans on May 5.

WWeek 2015

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