Friends of Suomi Hall

Suomi Hall Building Restoration Plan

Background history of Suomi Hall

It was an important meeting place for early Finnish immigrants. The history of Suomi Hall is very complex. Most people today think that Suomi Hall has always been the Finnish Brotherhood. Its birth began up the hill on Taylor Avenue. The Finnish Temperance Society built Suomi Hall in 1883. It was moved down the hill around 1910, turned around and raised to become the second floor of the main hall with the stage. The first floor was added for shops and the dining room and kitchen to the east. This tripled its size. In its new location, it was built on pilings on the banks of the Columbia River. Soon after, the riverbank was filled in and a new concrete foundation was poured under Suomi Hall. The Finnish Temperance Society struggled in later years. The Finnish Brethren purchased Suomi Hall in 1935. This would become their first Temperance home after nearly 50 years of meeting in various other locations throughout Astoria.

After nearly 100 years, the foundation has served its purpose well, but it's had its challenges, being built on unconsolidated sand fill, it's had to endure a lot of shaking, from the periodic earthquakes, to the major construction of the Megler Bridge in the 1960's, to all the heavy truck traffic on Marine Drive, every time a heavy truck passes you can feel the vibration in the hall.

The renovation will have to be done in phases unless a large lump sum of funding can be obtained.

Proposed Phases

1. Levelling and stabilization of Suomi Hall. No further work can be done on the building without a level and stable structure. The structural engineer and foundation contractor have already designed and submitted their proposals. Bergeman Construction's bid as proposed on July 11, 2023 was $247,941.35 and Stricker Engineering's completed and paid structural drawings were $7,824.00 on July 1, 2023. Additional costs not included in the Joel Bergeman proposal associated with the leveling of Suomi Hall include the following:
   • Disconnecting and reconnecting the following, stairs at the back of the hall, water, sewer, possibly electrical. Other costs that are unknown but likely to occur due to the movement of the structure could be doors that don't open or close properly, windows that break, cracks in walls. Repair of siding or at least temporary siding over newly filled foundation sill gap.
   • Possible interruption of M & N and compensation.
   • Just a rough estimate of additional costs in this first phase could be around $60,000.
2. A new elevator will be added at the end of the leveling of the hall. This is critical for reliable access for our members.
3. Hire an architect who specializes in restoration of historic buildings, it is extremely important to find an architect who recognizes historic details and use of materials. This phase can possibly be done sooner and preferably so that our members and the public can see our vision. This would encourage donations and grants and show that we are serious about our goals in renovating Suomi Hall.
4. Restoration of the street side of Suomi Hall to its original historic appearance. Remove asbestos siding from the original ship's lap siding. Remove cheap vinyl windows, reinstall historically correct tall double-hung windows of its former appearance. Restoration of the remaining three sides of the building would be desirable at the same time. Financing would be the obstacle.
5. Restore interior, remove drop ceilings, remove sheet rock walls to expose bead board that was covered during the last remodel if it is still in place. Install lighting in a more historic style. Install a fire suppression system to protect our investment. Add new window treatments, shades or drapes. Refinish the floor.