BBT/Swinterton/Ross Bros.

Central Oregon Architectural Firms Merge Offices

Bend - BBT Architects and Stevens Architect, two longstanding Bend, Ore., architectural firms, have announced their merger effective July 1, 2008. Combining the two companies creates one of the largest architectural firms in the Central Oregon region with a total of 17 employees, 6 of which are licensed architects and 3 are LEED Accredited Professionals. Ron Barber and Todd Turner of BBT and Don Stevens of Stevens Architect will be the principal owners of the new company, which will retain the name of BBT Architects. The firms have shared office space since 2003 and have pooled their talents on several projects, making the unification of the two companies a natural step forward. The merger will allow the firm to pursue larger projects and provide expanded services to its clients.

Sportswear Manufacturer Expanding Internationally

Portland - Columbia Sportswear plans to renovate a building in downtown Seattle for new retail space, and expand to cities across the country. The company currently operates one Columbia flagship store and an adjacent Mountain Hardwear store in Portland and plans to build 15-20 additional first-line branded stores in key U.S. and European metropolitan markets over the next 3 to 5 years. The company's planned network of branded stores will enable consumers to experience Columbia's outdoor products merchandised under one roof in greater breadth and depth than is possible at any of the company's wholesale customers' stores.

Columbia has selected Swinerton Builders of Bellevue,Wash., as general contractor; Boyl & Ames of Portland, Oregon, as construction manager; 2 Hemispheres of Keizer, Oregon, for design; and Bergmeyer Associates, Inc. of Boston, Massachusetts, as its architect and LEEDS consultant.

Portland-based Avalon Holdings is owner of the Macy's garage property and is redeveloping the site.