What's happening with Pioneer Courthouse?

Portland at night: Pioneer Courthouse
Originally uploaded by alicethelma

I made it downtown the other night and was surprised to find Pioneer Courthouse covered in scaffolding. I didn’t know it was being renovated. Or had it always been covered and I just never noticed before? Or had it been so long since I’d been downtown? I think the recent snowstorms have turned my brain to mush (or maybe it’s just old age).

Some internet sleuthing revealed that the Courthouse had been renovated as recently as 2005 when the Post Office was removed and five additional parking spaces were added to the basement. It’s been more than 10 year since I’ve been inside the Courthouse but I am saddened by the loss of the Post Office. The building still houses the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the chambers of the Portland-based judges on the Ninth Circuit.


The Pioneer Courthouse is the oldest federal building in the PNW and the second oldest west of the Mississippi and I should point out that the scaffolding covers only the west side of the building. The east and north sides were uncovered. I forgot to check out the south side.

If you know anything about the recent remodel, renovation or retro-fit, please let me know and in the meantime, you can learn more about the Pioneer Courthouse here.