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GlobeSt.com UPDATE: Gorge Commission OKs Commercial Use of Historic Buildings

HOOD RIVER, OR-The Columbia River Gorge Commission votes 10 to 1 to allow the commercial use of historic buildings within the national scenic area, but a challenge is expected.

By Brian K. Miller | Updated on November 17, 2005

HOOD RIVER, OR-The Columbia River Gorge Commission this week signed off on a policy change that will allow commercial use of historic buildings in the national scenic area, hoping it will provide greater economic incentive to preserve the structures. The new rules open up old farms, granges, schools and other buildings in the gorge to preserve the structures with revenue from “adaptive” commercial enterprises.

The issue was brought to the forerfront by the owners of the Viewpoint Inn, an 80-year-old roadhouse perched above Vista House at Crown Point in Corbett that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The owners applied in January for the right to operate the property as a restaurant, five-room hotel and visitor center, thereby allowing them to raise the necessary funds to make critical repairs before winter.

In mid-October, the Columbia River Gorge Commission discussed approving the Viewpoint Inn for such uses, but instead opted for a sweeping policy change that opens up all historic properties for commercial use. As a result, the owners of the Viewpoint Inn were forced to wait another 30 days while staff drafted the new rules. Commission members on Tuesday voted 10 to 1 to approve the new rules. It will be at least another year or so before the policy change is adopted by the federal government, and that approval could be slowed by opponents of the new rule.

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