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I reported the sad news in June that the Portland Storage sign was doomed to die a ClearChannel death. And now local blogger Allison Jones has a photo up of white paint beginning to cover the sign that’s nothing special, really, I guess, besides being an iconic part of industrial SE Portland that I love.:
Sarah Shay Mirk reported on transportation, sex and gender issues, and politics at the Mercury from 2008-2013. They have gone on to make many things, including countless comics and several books. More by Sarah Shay Mirk
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Check the sign permits. How long has it really been there? Is it really inconic or just been there for longer than you’ve been here?
@Graham ZING!!!!!!!!!
For reals.
This is sad. Its been there for as long as I can remember. Probably 20 years.
The building wasn’t originally a storage warehouse, that’s its current incarnation (and yes, that sign has been there at least 20 years, and I’ve been here over twice that long, so I should know) — the “Portland Storage Co.” sign likely replaced the original building’s sign as well, so then you can get into an argument about who is more historical than thou…
Wow, 20 years. Clearly an icon.
Of course, Clear Channel blows.
:/
I’m not saying it qualifies for historic status or anything, it’s just iconic to me (and likely other people who know and love the neighborhood) as a simple, bold emblem of the industrial roots of SE. The Portland Storage building now houses an arts space and an office for the national Church of Satan, among other small businesses, but the sign has remained the same.
Why is one company’s large testament to commerce better than another company’s large testament to commerce? This wasn’t a mural being painted over. Just some pretty boring words.
@Graham ZING!!!! x2
Hopefully we’ll get a big Church of Satan sign up. That’d be iconic in a different way.
The Merc should rent that space and replace it with a “Savage Love” ad just for Graham.
Odd, I recall SE Industrial being referred to as nothing but “shitty warehouses.” Its nice to see that its grown on you, Mirk.
http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/Blogto…
@ TSW: Well played, madams.
@ stukasoverpdx: Nicely served!
ALL CHANGE IS BAD SOMETIMES!
Geez – so bitter, Graham. I’ll miss the sign, too.
@Sarah – why does the headline say “Portland Oregon Sign?” Shouldn’t that be “Portland Storage Sign?”
The building was originally a John Deere factory. The interior has large original signs and photos, so it does have a bit of history (at least as far as the provenance of the building). Personally, I took the photo because Portland Storage Co. was, in fact, my storage company of choice during a radically liminal time in my life, but I’m glad it’s sparking conversation.
Clear should obviously cover the PSC sign with something incredibly stark and self-referential, then we’ll stop complaining. Like PORTLAND IS CLEAR. Or PORTLAND, CLEARLY. Or… WE EVEN COVER INDUSTRIAL SOUTHEAST.