Constructive Form was selected to develop a plan to re-purpose downtown Woodburn’s Association Building, which was seismically upgraded after being heavily damaged in the 1993 Scotts Mills earthquake. The 10,000-square-foot, two-story building, however, has since remained vacant.

Our feasibility study aims to “identify the highest and best uses for the redevelopment” and to meet the City’s goal of transforming it “into a community-oriented, iconic building,” that would become a source of civic pride and “a model for future renovations and upgrades.” To meet these goals, our team explored three concepts for the building’s reuse: as a community center, as an artists’ incubator and through private re-development.

Our process for determining the feasibility of each concept included: 1.) Assessment of the existing building and conditions; 2.) Recommendations for infrastructural/structural upgrades; 3.) Methods for involving private and community partners in the building’s re-development and future operations; and, 4.) Guidelines for engaging Woodburn’s culturally diverse populace in the redevelopment process.