July 12, 2003
Blumenauer Continues Opposition To Pioneer Courthouse Changes
Congressman Earl Blumenauer this week continued his opposition to the General Services Administration's plans for Pioneer Courthouse in downtown Portland:
The General Services Administration wants to add five underground spaces at the courthouse at the same time it excavates the foundations of the 19th-century building to reinforce them against earthquake damage.
Blumenauer told a House panel that the agency had pursued its plan without the approval of Congress. The parking facility was not included in a $16.6 million renovation approved by Congress two years ago, he said.
"If all of a sudden once it leaves here, people have the opportunity to change it contrary to the intent of the federal sponsors, contrary to the desires of local government, I think is a very troubling precedent," said Blumenauer, who is pondering a bid for mayor of Portland.
Supporters of the plans assert that the Federal judges need more secure parking. But apparently even some judges in the nation's capital itself don't seem overly concerned with such things:
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., said she was unconvinced of the need for underground parking. Norton said she had witnessed at least one Supreme Court justice, Antonin Scalia, walking two blocks to work on a Saturday.
"I can see no reason to do this except that four appellate judges said, 'I want parking,' " she said.
Friday's Portland Tribune covered the dispute as well, and you can also read the statement Blumenauer made to the Subcommittee.
Meanwhile, Alexander B. Craghead ties this to campaign season, and while you can never discount political angles, it's only fair to point out that Blumenauer has been fighting the plan for Pioneer Courthouse for some time now.
Comments (1)
Alexander Craghead on 13 Jul 2003
"...it's only fair to point out that Blumenauer has been fighting the plan for Pioneer Courthouse for some time now."
Well then I'll give credit where dredit is due, and say, go Earl.