Portland's Elk Statue Returning, City Sets Homecoming Timetable

PORTLAND, OR —The Thompson Elk Statue spent about 120 years standing in the middle of Main Street between Lonsdale and Chapman Squares. In the summer of 2020, it was one of the casualties of the riots that engulfed downtown.

Badly damaged, it was removed.

The city now has a plan and tentative timeline to bring the restored 9-foot high, 3,000 pound statue back to its place downtown. The statue will have a new case and all be surrounded by an improved bus lane and a new, dedicated bicycle lane.

"Few pieces n our rich public art collection are as beloved by Portlanders as the elk," City Commissioner Carmen Rubio said.

Rubio, also the city's arts commissioner, added that "Portlanders have told us they want the elk back as soon as possible andI'm thrilled that we're finally taking concrete steps to return it this year."

A city spokesman says that part of the reason that they can't set an actual date is "just as the statue sits at the crossroads of downtown, it also sits at the crossroads of city programs and processes.

"Despite being a Portland icon, the elk has to be vetted just like anybody else."

Rubio's colleague on the city council, Commissioner Dan Ryan, is overseeing an effort to improve the city's permitting process. He believes that the plan to return the Elk Statue downtown, will provide a strong civics lesson for people.

"Our Portland elk also gives the city an opportunity to experience the permitting process firsthand," he said. "Permitting makes our infrastructure safe, responsible and sustainable.

"it's also vital to ensure our processes are efficient, from affordable housing to our arts infrastructure."

While the city plans to have the statue back in place by the end of 2022 or early 2023, the following steps still have to be taken:

First, the city must get approval for a "demolition delay," which is a retroactive permit to work that's already been done, in this case, removing the damaged statue and base;

Second, the Portland Bureau of Transportation will ask for a permit to a new base in the road;

Third, there will be a "design review process" that will allow people to comment on the proposal;

Fourth, the city will finish the designs for the bike lane, and a better bus lane. those all also have to be approved;

Fifth, the city's design Commission will have to approve the design.

Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, who oversees the Transportation Bureau, praised the project and the plans for a bicycle lane and improved bus lane.

"It's fitting that the elk an important piece of Portland's past, will help improve our transportation system for the future," she said.

This project will be a big win for bus commuters, cyclists and, of course, the elk."

The Elk Statue, formerly known as the Thompson Elk Fountain, was built in 1900 and named for David Thompson who served as Portland's mayor from 1879 until 1882.

He helped start the Oregon Humane Society and wanted a project downtown that would honor the wildlife that used to call the area home.

Officials are still trying to figure out if the fountain can be replaced or will just be the statue and base.