Abraxus Video Store Building 5th Street Condition Assessment & Recommendations

Licht, Susan

Introduction: "The historic Arcade Theatre Building at 504 Main St. in Cottage Grove, Oregon, is now the Abraxus Video Store. The building is currently only a remnant of its original masonry construction. The commercial structure's main entry facade faces south on Main Street. The west facade faces 5th Street and runs the entire distance between Main Street. The west facade faces 5th Street and runs the entire distance between Main Street and the mid-block alley. There are only limited remains of the original two-story masonry structure that was built in 1913. Its life as a theater was short, and by 1924 the theater had relocated across the street and the two-story building was being used for various other commercial endeavors. The main facade facing south was significantly remodeled to its current configuration in the 1960s while being occupied by the Western Auto Store. The west facade windows were blocked-in during this timeframe as well. Only one windows still exists on the west facade. The masonry maintenance was neglected, and by 1976 the City of Cottage Grove issued an ultimatum of demolition or repair. The owners used their thirty-day reprieve to remove the historic 2nd floor. This is the condition that we find the building in today. In addition, it appears as though there has been almost no work done to the 5th Street facade since the last renovations in 1976, and the two remaining original masonry exterior walls are showing significant deterioration. On November 26, 2018, and February 12, 2019, Susan L. Licht, Historic Preservation Architect. conducted a limited condition assessment investigation at the 5th Street facade. This abbreviated report discusses the details of the specific material condition investigation. It consists of a section outlining the goals of the investigation, and a condition summary of these areas. These initial three sections are then followed by conclusions and recommendations for how to proceed with preservation of the wall materials. At the end is a very preliminary cost estimate for the restoration work recommended." Project funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to Oregon Heritage, Parks and Recreation Department, administered by the State, Tribal, Local Plans and Grants division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior (grant number P18AF00014).

Abraxus Video Store Building 5th Street Condition Assessment & Recommendations

Collections