Worth the Wait: Good News for PAA’s Campus
If you’ve been part of PAA for a while, you know we’ve been talking about our buildings for a very long time. This week, we get to share some really good news.
First, a little history. PAA has been part of the Portland community since 1910 and our main building opened its doors in 1963. The tech building was added in 1980 and generations of Cougars have learned, laughed, performed, and prayed within these walls.
As the buildings aged, we began dreaming about a new campus. In 2007, our constituency, the church family that supports PAA, voted to rebuild. A feasibility study showed that building in phases made the most sense and in 2008 a project manager was hired to design a three-part plan that allowed PAA to still serve up to 300 students while simultaneously replacing the outdated facilities.
The first phase was a big one: new utilities and infrastructure, a new parking lot and gate system, a turf field, administrative offices moved to a new main entrance, and a 500-seat performing arts center and chapel with a new home for our music program. It took years to get plans approved by the City of Portland. Permits were finalized in 2010, and construction finally began in 2011. The utilities went in, the first layer of the parking lot was poured, and our gorgeous Kathryn Damazo turf field was finished in 2014. Many of you have cheered for our athletes on that field and renting the space to a local soccer club provides exposure for PAA and generates regular income.
In 2019, facing challenges to meet our fundraising goals, our constituency stepped back to reconsider our options: continue the three-phase plan, build a new facility in a single phase, move to a new location, or remodel what we have. The decision was made to remain in our central location at the crossroads of Portland and remodel the original buildings. Because our master plan expired in 2020, we entered a series of hearings with the city to address land use, land division, and nonconforming items, the parts of our campus update that are mandated by the city as part of our original permit. Those hearings wrapped up successfully in June of 2026.
And now, here’s the part we are so excited to share!
This October, Adventist Health purchased several acres of PAA’s north field, located between the school and Mall 205. The proceeds from this sale will allow us to complete every one of the nonconforming items mentioned above, with work starting in spring 2027: irrigation, landscaping, parking lots, lighting, sidewalks, and gates, among other improvements. While Adventist Health has no immediate plans to develop the land, it is encouraging to know that future changes will be led by our sister institution.
There’s more! Several individuals have given generously to replace the rotting trim on both buildings, remove the asbestos panels, and repaint the outside of the entire facility. That work is scheduled to begin as soon as weather and contractor scheduling allows.
I love what happens inside our buildings every day. Students are known and loved, and they are growing not only academically, but as Christ-centered, character-driven individuals, strengthening their faith, their friendships, and their many skills. We pray every student feels deeply cared for at PAA. Soon, the outside of our campus will begin to reflect the care that happens inside.
It has been a long, long road, and so many people have walked it with us. To everyone who gave, prayed, planned, served on a committee, sat through a hearing, or simply believed in this school, thank you. God has been faithful through every season of this journey, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.
