PORTLAND, Ore. — Demolition of the fire-gutted Centennial Mills warehouse is scheduled to begin on Monday, Aug. 17, the City of Portland said in an update on Saturday, Aug. 15.
Concerns over a possible collapse of the eight-story warehouse have disrupted Amtrak service north of Portland Union Station since the Aug. 2 fire. [See “Structure fire leads to suspension …,” Trains.com, Aug. 4, 2026.] Union Pacific resumed freight operations past the site last week, although the city disagreed with that decision. [See “After talks with city …,” Aug. 10, 2026.]
The city says a contractor will begin demolition work with controlled explosions to bring down the water tower atop the building on Monday afternoon. It plans to inform residents and property owners approximately one hour before the first charges are detonated; sirens in the area will also sound three minutes and one minute before the blast…