Traditionally, states that rely on the timber industry, like Oregon, haven't had much to cheer in the last 30 years. Modernization of mills, economic changes and huge declines in logging led to a long downturn in the industry. During last year's presidential campaign, candidate Donald Trump promised to bring back timber in Oregon. Some in the industry are hopeful, but others aren't waiting. They're moving ahead with innovations they hope are the key to survival. Tall Timber There's a street corner in downtown Portland, Ore. where architect Thomas Robinson can stand today, and envision a dramatically different scene next year. "What you'll be seeing is a revolutionary 12 story, mass timber structure," he says, "Really — a high rise timber building." Robinson's firm Lever Architecture has designed a 148-foot structure that, when completed, will be the tallest timber building in North America. Now you may be thinking — that's a 148-foot match waiting to light. But Robinson and his
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