The pigeons who fly in and out of the broken-out upper-floor windows aren't packing their bags, but they might be rousted from their roost if a proposal to move a brewery into the historic brick buildings works out.

If that doesn't get them moving, the wrecking ball might.

The Smithson and McKay Brothers buildings, 943 and 927 N. Russell St., are part of the dwindling inventory of century-old structures harking to Albina, the little city on the Willamette's east bank that was swallowed by Portland in 1891.

In the last decade, threats of demolition and never-realized rehabilitation dreams have hovered over the buildings like the birds that live there. This time, there are two proposals being considered by their owner, Spectrum Properties Inc., the real estate subsidiary of U.S. Bank of Oregon.

Paul Breuer, of Bullier & Bullier Realtors, which represents Spectrum, said he has a specific buyer who wants to demolish the buildings and replace them with a tilt-up concrete warehouse of about half the square footage.

Breuer said that would be far less costly than what the other potential buyer has in mind. He is microbrewer Kurt Widmer, who likes the bigness of the space and the look of the old brick done in Italianate and Romanesque Revival style.

"It fits my mind's eye of what a brewery should look like," Widmer said. He is co-owner of the Widmer Brewing Co., 1405 N.W. Lovejoy St., where he is rapidly running out of room to increase production of his specialty European beers. He also has a downtown pub brewery at 923 S.W. Ninth Ave., which would remain as is.

Widmer would pay cash for the building - $125,000 includes the two structures and adjacent vacant property. But that is the least of it: Renovation is estimated to cost $500,000 more. The exteriors, including the last-of-its-kind cast-iron storefront on the McKay building, are generally in good shape.

The interiors are terrible, however. And people don't realize the cost fixing them. When they find out, they tend to lose interest quickly in buying the buildings, Breuer said.

"I've never had more inquiries about a property off a sign," Breuer said. "And I've never had less follow-up after the people get their initial tour," he said.

"But I'm still very optimistic about this," he said of Widmer's plan. "He's a good businessman, and he's got financial backing that stands him in good stead."

Widmer said the package he is trying to put together includes requests for $250,000 from the Oregon Economic Development Department; $200,000 from a commercial bank; and $50,000 from the Portland Development Commission.

He has until March 15 to complete the financing package. Further extensions could be negotiated at a price, Breuer said.

The buildings are Portland historic landmarks and are listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, said John Southgate, staff director of the Landmarks Commission. The commission has seen many proposals come and go for the buildings over the years, but Widmer's may have at least a fighting chance because the brewer intends to occupy the buildings Southgate said.

"The other projects were from property speculators who would lease it out," Widmer said. "We're the first to look at it as home."

He envisions using the 10,600-square-foot first floor for the brewery and the top two floors for residential and commercial lofts. There also is the possibility of a pub or a beer garden, Widmer said.

As the deal proceeds to gel, meanwhile, the Landmarks Commission has withheld issuance of a demolition permit on the buildings until at least April 6, Southgate said. Widmers will open a new brewpub in N. Portland with more to come.