Lake Oswego’s historic Iron Furnace in George Rogers Park is set for a face lift, to be completed in June 2009.
This local treasure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is in need of some tender loving care. The exterior of the 44-foot high furnace is in decent shape, but the interior stonework is severely deteriorated.
Having been abandoned in 1885, the elements have taken their toll, and there is a danger of falling debris, therefore the furnace is fenced off and considered unsafe in its current condition. The restoration will replace grout, chink stones, bricks and basalt stones according to the City of Lake Oswego. The city anticipates that this work, plus a roof for protection, and compliance with current seismic standards will enable it to conduct regular pre-arranged group tours through the furnace structure.
The stone furnace was built by the Oregon Iron Company and began operating in August of 1867. With Oswego’s iron deposits, the company was the first manufacturer of iron on the West Coast, and the Oswego iron industry was reportedly the biggest manufacturing enterprise in Oregon during the nineteenth century. This amazing piece of Oregon history is said to be the only surviving iron furnace west of the Rocky Mountains.
The Lake Oswego City Council has awarded the $830,785 contract, to Pioneer Waterproofing, Inc. Requiring specialized skills, Pioneer Waterproofing fits the bill and has met the standard for brick and masonry restoration in conformance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Pioneer Waterproofing has also completed impressive restoration projects which include Vista House, Crater Lake Lodge, Timberline Lodge, and the Portland Art Museum.
I crunch my way to the mailbox to pick up the daily paper thrown there in the walkway, and look up half asleep at the clear blue sky feathered with white brush strokes.
Construction was completed on the new multi-use field near Lakeridge High School in the spring, the first sporting events being soccer and lacrosse. The field also accommodates football and baseball. It boasts a playing field made of plastic fibers and ground-up rubber which has excellent lasting capacity and drainage according to Gary Evans, assistant director at Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation. Neighbors’ concerns were addressed with state-of-the-art, computer-controlled, “green” lighting that uses a minimum number of fixtures and reduces energy-wasting light “spill”. The park is open until 10:00PM, but lights may be turned off by teams if they’re finished early by calling a toll-free number and entering a password. Most local leagues may use the field for free once a seasonal fee is paid.
Amenities of the 12-acre site include walking paths and access to trailheads, a beautiful 1.5 acre wetland, playground, parking lot, restroom facility and two luxurious off-leash dog parks- one is 1.6 acres and intended for larger gregarious dogs (though it is open to all dogs), whereas the other is 1.1 acres and reserved for smaller and/or timid dogs. Both dog parks include incredible fencing that is seemingly jump-, dig-, and escape-proof with double-entry gates. There are also benches and picnic tables for dog owners to relax and/or socialize, covered/shady areas for rainy or too-sunny days, water-stations, garbage cans, you-scoop-bags, and open areas for playing fetch or just letting the dogs play.
You may have noticed that the market has been changing for awhile now.
I have seen everything from what seems like extreme overpricing ($100,000 or more above what seems like a reasonable asking price) to modest positioning above apparent market value.
