After the pandemic sent us away from the office in 2020, we found ourselves meeting outside in Philomath more often. Our focus there was on production, and after adding 20+ acres a couple years after the initial purchase there was plenty of room to grow. My partner Brad Mehl was always around and encouraging me to “walk the hill” with him. He kept talking about how nice the view was, the silviculture, Mary’s Peak and “the heart of Oregon Forestry”. Our lease in Portland happened to be ending after a second 7 year term in December 2020. So the idea was hatched: for a roughly 10 year payback we could build our own office on site. Leaving Portland after 106 years would be a tough decision, but we were growing roots in Benton county.
2021 was a year of planning, selling and developing the plans. The shareholder group quickly came on board and after we built a road up to the building site so did the trading group. Patrick Lumber was going to have a new home. We selected an oversized timber frame structure, understated “barn” style design and signed DC Builders to construct it. Most of the materials were salvage logging from forest fires. The siding reclaimed redwood bridge timbers. The building has a soul. It’s in the spirt of Frank Loyyd Wright: known for his organic architecture, his buildings are sited to be viewed as one with nature. The Lodge at PLM already seems to grow into the hill rather than out of it.
In the Spring of 2023, we will complete construction and move in. Its another re-birth for this company founded in 1915, and opportunity to shift into the future. Mr Mehl’s hillside walks provided the inspiration. Meetings have already commenced. Transactions completed; lumber traded. Wood is good in many ways.
