INTRODUCTION
Built in 1928 as one of the Port of Longview's first facilities, the Continental Grain Terminal at Berth 4 was a bustling place for 60 years, until the facility shut down in 1989.
The grain terminal remained tenantless and when it became evident the 80+ year old structure had reached the end of its useful life, the Port began a multi-phase project to redevelop the site until permits were granted for demolition.
REVITALIZATION EFFORTS
Phase 1 began with the removal of the old timber decking in March 2014, followed by the removal of over 1,000 creosote-treated pilings in 2015. The following year, the Port began construction of seven new dolphins in its place to be used as a lay berth (pictured right).
Phase 2 of the project included a full site hazard assessment and estimate for upland demolition of the silos and adjacent facilities.
MISSION TO DEMOLITION
In 2022, the Port was granted the final permits to move forward with demolition of the grain complex and surrounding buildings. Demolition of the facilities is scheduled for June 2023. Once the site is ready for a new tenant, the Port will pursue securing a new industry and write a new future for Berth 4.
ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END
We can't demolish an almost 100-year-old facility without documenting its rich history, right? That would be boring and downright wrong!
So, in coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Archaeology and Historical Preservation, we set out on a mission to historically preserve the old Continental Grain complex. In part of a much larger laundry list of historical preservation items (we'll get to that later), we began our efforts with a short booklet detailing the architectural and local history of the grain terminal.
1. What are/were the entry’s specific communications challenges or opportunities?
When a facility has lived as long of a life as the Continental Grain complex has, there's a lot of history to sort through. So much history that there are stories we may never uncover. One of the challenges we had with creating this booklet was combing through the detailed and technically written Historic Property Report (HPR) and pulling out the interesting parts. For reference, the HPR was 135 pages, and our eyes, and brains, needed a good break after we got through it.
However, with great time and dedication comes great reward... and responsibility. We were able to learn how the facility was constructed and the integral part the facility played in the Port's early development. We were also able to translate from technical engineering language to a more creative and easier read for our audience.
The opportunities at hand made our challenges and time worthwhile. With this booklet, we were given the unique opportunity to tell the story of an almost 100-year-old grain complex that was once a busy place, now remains dormant. We were given one last chance to tell the story and commemorate the history of this long-standing grain facility before it comes crumbling down... on purpose.
Briefly analyze the major internal and external factors that need to be addressed
Internally, creating any book is a great feat. This booklet was created by two staff members who had other projects on their plates. However, staff was able to divide and conquer with one person dedicated to retrieving the historical data and the other left to creatively interpret and design the layout.
Externally, our main focus was on sharing our booklet with those interested and connected to the facility in addition to elected government officials and local organizations.
We decided not to include many stories from individuals who previously worked at the facility and elected not to include any quotes from past Port staff who were around for the facility's operation.
We're saving our anecdotal interviews for our short documentary (also a part of our list of historic preservation items) that will be coming in 2024. Stay tuned!
2. How does the communication used in this entry complement the organization’s overall mission?
The Port of Longview's mission is "to promote commerce and economic development through strategic public investments for the benefit of the community."
This booklet's intention is to kick off our historic preservation process leading up to the demolition of the old Continental Grain complex. Before the facility is gone from the Longview skyline, we wanted to give the facility one last hurrah by historically preserving its memory with something tangible for the community have and to hold.
Once the demolition of the facility is complete, the Port's business team will work on securing a new tenant and possibly a new industry at Berth 4, giving more opportunities for economic development within the community. The booklet lets the community see the Port honor its past, yet work toward a more positive future through redevelopment of a vacant site. The Port is active in its commitment to making public investments that will bring more benefits to Cowlitz County.
3. What were the communications planning and programming components used for this entry?
Overall Goal: Provide educational opportunities to historically preserve and document the history of the Port's old grain terminal.
Objective: Create a booklet for distribution that includes relative information, history and photographs from the facility's time of operation.
Audience: Local government organizations, elected officials, general public and past and present Port employees.
Measurables: We made 500 copies of the booklet to distribute for free and published a digital copy on our website for easy viewing. We plan to print more as demolition of the facility treads on.
4. What actions were taken and what communication outputs were employed in this entry?
We wanted to make the booklet an easy read for anyone. We wanted to layout the design of the booklet to show the progression of the facility's expansion over its 80+ years of life. We chose relative photos with captions to help tell the story in a simple way. We used a glossy cover to make the booklet look sleek for displaying in our front lobby for guests to grab as they visit the Port.
In order to properly document the history, we complied relative photographs, old blueprints along with official documents detailing the facility's construction. From there, we sorted the information by year, making note of interesting features of the building or how the facility made an impact on the Port of Longview.
We wrote an outline, a first draft, a second draft and then were left with our final creation. We strategically kept it short and sweet as we wanted this to be a piece for the community to enjoy and display on their shelves. We used a good mix of photos and words for all to enjoy regardless of how much time they spent reading the booklet.
We wanted our booklet to be special as this was now going to be an official part of Port history. Just as we looked back on documentation of the Port's health during the construction of the grain terminal, future Port employees will look back on the demolition of the grain complex at Berth 4.
5. What were the communications outcomes from this entry and what evaluation methods were used to assess them?
Of the 500 copies we originally printed, we have given away 400 to elected officials, Port staff and local organizations. We anticipate distributing the remaining 100 and placing an order for more booklets to hand out as we begin demolition of the facility.
In addition, we posted a digital copy of the booklet on our website and on our social media accounts for more visibility.
After the booklet's release, our Board of Commissioners celebrated the booklet's publication. One of our commissioners had all current Port staff sign a copy of the booklet to remember this occasion for years to come.