This Week in the Mercury

The (Un)Happy Hooker

Theater

The (Un)Happy Hooker

Red Light Winter: A Prostitute Is Rarely the Solution to Your Problems


Up & Coming

Music

Up & Coming

This Week’s Music Previews



  |  

Monday, June 21, 2010

News Warning: "U" Might Die in this Building!

Posted by Stefan Kamph on Mon, Jun 21, 2010 at 2:30 PM

u.jpg
Have you noticed any of those red, square-shaped "U" signs that have been appearing above the entrances of buildings around town? Wondered what they could mean? Me too.

I first saw one a few months ago, above the side entrance of Union Jacks club on East Burnside Street, and then another outside the Kingston pub on West Burnside.

The signs indicate a building that Portland Fire & Rescue has deemed "unsafe." From a PF&R memo from December: "The Unsafe Buildings Alert Program provides a tool for identifying structures that, due to their construction, use, or state of maintenance, pose extraordinary hazards to emergency personnel."

There are currently signs on a couple dozen buildings around town. If one of the buildings catches on fire, PF&R crews will attempt to fight the fire from outside rather than enter the building. They will go inside if they need to perform a rescue, for example, but will keep their time inside the "unsafe" structure as short as possible.

Any of these dilapidated death-traps in your neck of the woods?

 

Comments (8) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment
1
A thoughtful journalist would just make a public records request for the PF&R list of buildings. Then tell us about it by publishing the list. It's kind of how the journalist - reader relationship typically goes.
Posted by Number Six on June 21, 2010 at 3:12 PM · Report
2
I think I saw one on the former Greek Cuisina. Huge shock, I know.
Posted by portlander4life on June 21, 2010 at 3:17 PM · Report
3
@Number Six - Perhaps you mistook Blogtown for the Oregonian? I don't really see how you could get the two confused, though. And since we're all here because we prefer Blogtown, why don't you piss off?
Posted by Reymont on June 21, 2010 at 4:10 PM · Report
4
Yup, one in my neighborhood. That cool old round-faced brick building at the corner of 67th and SE Foster has one. The place is for sale too, only $595,000 the last time I checked.

Thanks for the info, I was wondering what these were..

Posted by humanclock on June 21, 2010 at 5:38 PM · Report
5
I agree with #6. A comprehensive list would have been nice.
Posted by bikefor1 on June 21, 2010 at 6:58 PM · Report
6
That building at 67th and Foster is incredibly cool. I saw someone checking it out and talking on the phone yesterday. Someone's going to get one of the coolest buildings in town for a steal.
Posted by JustinO on June 22, 2010 at 10:20 AM · Report
7
Oh man. I've seen these all over Chinatown and thought it was some kind of community initiative. Interesting. Most of the more charming old structures in town are wearing those signs. Hopefully getting the scarlet letter removed won't also entail shedding their historical charm.
Posted by myrrh on June 23, 2010 at 2:15 PM · Report
8
I have spotted 12 of these signs between the Memorial Coliseum, and 5th and Couch while riding the max. 3 of them are closed for business or ended their leases, MORE if you wander into China Town. This scares me more than interests me now. I have been wondering for months what those things were and no one I asked had a clue.
Posted by Monkeyliquor on May 25, 2011 at 8:13 PM · Report

Add a comment

Our Friends

Our Enemies

/images/adoftheweek.gif

ad of the day

The Handyman Pro - Your Honey-Do Specialist
Don’t let our name fool you. The Handyman Pro, LLC is a repair and remodel service provider with over 25-years experience. We cover all aspects of construction and repairs for residential and commercial clients.go


post an ad

All contents © Index Newspapers, LLC

115 SW Ash St. Suite 600
Portland, OR 97204

Contact Info | Privacy Policy | Production Guidelines | Terms of Use