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Deconstruction

Program

Community and Economic Development

Requirements and resources for deconstructing – rather than demolishing – older buildings in Portland.

Featured content

Deconstruction permit requirements

Certified deconstruction contractors

Become a Certified Deconstruction Contractor

A person holds a painted, used 2x4 piece of wood. The person stands in front of a wall of reclaimed wood boards.

Salvage retailers in the Portland metro region

A "deconstruction in progress" yard sign is shown on the Mills Open Air School property, with the boarded up old school buildings in the background.

Mills Open Air School Deconstruction

The inside of a home in the midst of deconstruction, with walls and ceilings removed to expose the wood beams.

About deconstruction

Contact

Lauren Zimmermann Onstad, Deconstruction Program

deconstruction@portlandoregon.gov

News

Mills School deconstruction gives historic bricks a second life

On June 7, 2025, bricks deconstructed from the Mills Open Air School in SE Portland got a new life thanks to a city-run brick giveaway day.

June 25, 2025 2:34 pm Blog post

A large pile of bricks at the former Mills School property

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