- Kusyk Plans to Demolish 1904 King Neighborhood Church
- Church Demolition Approaches as Peter Kusyk Erects Fence
- Advocates Begin Fundraising Effort
- Peter Kusyk Begins Church Demolition
- Northeast Church Demolition Well Underway
PORTLAND, Ore. – A chain-link fence has been erected around the former St. Paul’s Evangelical and Reformed Church in the King neighborhood of Northeast Portland, suggesting demolition is nearing for the 101-year-old church building.
Photo credit: Portland Chronicle
The church, reported on by the Portland Chronicle on April 2, sold to Peter Kusyk‘s Firenze Development in December for $382,500. In late March Kusyk, registered in Wilsonville, applied for demolition of the 1904 church building.
Photo credit: Portland Chronicle
That same day he also requested the building be removed from the Historic Resources Inventory list, negating what would have been a required 120-day demolition delay of the property for interested parties to look for alternatives to the demolition, and applied for construction of a new two-story duplex with a basement, garage and “parking pad.” That permit is still under review.
Photo credit: Portland Chronicle
On April 9 the Bureau of Development Services issued the demolition permit. The fence has since been installed, suggesting Kusyk plans to go through with the demolition despite a petition that began April 4 and has since collected nearly 2,000 signatures.
Photo credit: Portland Chronicle
The petition asks Kusyk not to demolish the church and instead to work with the community to locate a private buyer interested in renovating and adapting the church rather than razing it.
Photo credit: Portland Chronicle
The proposed demolition has drawn a wide array of media attention, from The Oregonian, the Portland Tribune, GoLocalPDX, KGW News and KOIN News.
Photo credit: Portland Chronicle