By Louis Chase César E Chávez Blvd. is the main north-south connection for much of Portland’s Inner Eastside. Chávez Blvd. is also a high-crash corridor, meaning it is among the […]
SE César E Chávez Blvd. Safety Plan Presented to Neighborhood Associations Read More
By Madeleine Voth A proposal to reform one of Portland’s most obscure and controversial taxes, the Arts Tax, could soon alter how arts programs and education are funded across the
Portland Officials Consider Arts Tax Reform Amid Rising Costs Read More
By Daniel Perez-Crouse Portland’s Foster-Powell Neighborhood Association (FPNA) is working to overhaul a beloved street with its Better Center project. The goal is to make it a safer and more
Neighborhood Association Gains Traction Improving Key Corridor Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse The “short” legislative session ended March 6, a few days before our constitutional deadline. It’s April, and I’m still exhausted. We were darn busy. Five
Representatively Speaking – April 2026 Read More
By James Hill A student intern at Portland Community College (PCC) was given one mission—find savings on the college’s water usage and billing. The result? Mission accomplished and then some.Eric
By Ellen Spitaleri These days it is almost a cliché to describe a partnership as a win-win situation; however, in the case of the pairing of Childswork Learning Center and
Childswork Learning Center and The Lantern Partnership Will Benefit Entire Community Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse As this column hits the newsstands, the Legislature either will have wrapped up the 2026 legislative session or we will only be a few days
Representatively Speaking – March 2026 Read More
By Madeleine Voth Most Portlanders pass them without a second thought, but green street planters are hard at work across the city, especially in SE, where dense housing, aging infrastructure
Portland Green Streets Transforms City Streets in SE Portland and Beyond Read More
By Francesca “Frankie” Silverstein On Monday, January 5, a new overnight shelter opened at 614 SE Grand Ave. Located in what was previously a US Bank building, the shelter is
Recovery-Focused Overnight Shelter Opens in Buckman Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse The short session has started and we at the Oregon Legislature have a lot on our plates. Here is a rundown of some of the
Representatively Speaking – February 2026 Read More
By Daniel Perez-Crouse What’s standing between Mt. Tabor and SE Portland residents from Dilly Bars and Blizzards? A contested drive-through that the developer, city and neighbors are in dispute over.If
Future of SE Dairy Queen Rebuild in Limbo Read More
By Madeleine Voth For decades, those who have lived and worked along 82nd Ave. have dealt with a road in desperate need of improvement. As Portland’s longest commercial strip, it
82nd Ave. Revitalization Accelerated in 2025, With More Planned for 2026 Read More
By Kris McDowell SE Uplift has announced the recipients for the 2026 Community Small Grants which will produce 16 projects serving District 3. A record 56 applications were submitted, requesting
Community Small Grants Recipients Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse Happy New Year! Hopefully 2026 is a better year in politics than 2025 has been. At least there is an election coming.Last month I promised
Representatively Speaking – January 2026 Read More
By Ellen Spitaleri Dozens of Abernethy Elementary School students, teachers, staff, parents and community members showed up on November 14 for the Ruby Bridges Walk and Bike to School Day.
Abernethy Elementary School Students, Community Come Together For Ruby Bridges Event Read More
By Marshall Hammond On November 1 Portland law enforcement resumed enforcing a camping ban aimed at reducing the number of unhoused people sheltering in tents and other impermanent structures in
Sweeps of Camps Resume Despite Resistance From City Council, Homeless Rights Advocates Read More
By Sofie Salewsky, Franklin High School’s The Franklin Post As the temperatures outside drop and the winter months draw near, organizations around Portland are taking action to help those who
New and Expanded Overnight Shelters in Buckman Neighborhood Read More
By Madeleine Voth As winter settles into SE Portland, new trees are beginning to appear in planting strips, front yards and neighborhood green spaces, the result of this fall’s free-tree
Free Tree Giveaways Bring New Growth to SE Portland Neighborhoods Read More
By Francesca “Frankie” Silverstein The Portland Parks Levy on the November ballot has unofficially passed, although the results won’t be certified until Monday, December 1. Measure 26-260, colloquially known as
Parks Levy Passed, Frustration Remains Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse Those of you that get my weekly email newsletter or follow me on social media know that I just got back from a much-needed vacation.
Representatively Speaking – December 2025 Read More
By Kris McDowell This time of year, when open enrollment for health insurance is underway, there is a key change that may be relevant to upcoming Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace
Enhanced Premium Tax Credits on Marketplace Ending After 2025 Read More
By Daniel Perez-Crouse In our March 2025 issue, we covered The People’s Depot (TPD) and noted that they were looking to have their own brick and mortar building. They are
The People’s Depot Secures a Brick and Mortar Location Read More
By Naomi Granek Brown, Franklin High School’s The Franklin Post Mt. Scott Learning Center (MSLC) is an alternative high school in SE Portland, currently serving over 100 students. The school
Portland Alternative School Fundraises For Expansion Read More
By Daniel Perez-Crouse After four years in place, Findley Commons, a veterans housing building in SE Portland, has served as a vital resource for its residents. Taylor Clark, Program Manager
Findley Commons Mostly a Success for Veterans Read More
By Madeleine Voth A quiet stretch of SE Oak St. between 37th Ave. and Cesar Chavez Blvd. will officially become part of Laurelhurst Park under a new city ordinance that
SE Oak St. to Become Part of Laurelhurst Park Following Land Transfer Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse Lately when people ask me how I am doing, I often give them a grade, like a letter grade like you would get in school
Representatively Speaking – November 2025 Read More
By Jake Lubin, Franklin High School’s The Franklin Post Wheels scrape the ground as Joseph Grayson drags his bulging suitcase up the concrete stairs of the inactive Sunnyside Methodist Church,
Sunnyside Shower Project Treats Hygiene as a Human Right Read More
By Madeleine Voth The constant ping from aluminum bats hitting baseballs has become a nuisance to residents along SE 70th Ave., where Warner Pacific University recently installed a new outdoor
Out of Left Field: Noise From Warner Pacific’s New Batting Cages Aggravates Neighborhood Read More
By Francesca “Frankie” Silverstein The stillness of the morning air on Cherry Blossom Dr. is quickly broken by honking from the rush of cars winding through the neighborhood. It’s a
Age Won’t Stop SE Seniors From Protesting the Trump Administration Read More
By Nancy Tannler Residents of Portland might have noticed the uptick in Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) vehicles working in their neighborhoods. This is part of the ongoing Fixing Our
Daylighting, Other Safety Improvements Make Streets Safer For All Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse This month I thought I would be a little more lighthearted and give you some insight into what my workdays are like. I am also
Representatively Speaking – October 2025 Read More
By Madeleine Voth Since its launch in 2020, Portland nonprofit AdoptOneBlock has been steadily building an army of volunteers determined to keep the city cleaner than they found it. Today,
AdoptOneBlock Expands Efforts to Keep Portland Clean, One Block at a Time Read More
By Francesca “Frankie” Silverstein Sunnyside residents have a new neighbor—a large, yellow neighbor. Social Good Place, a collaborative workspace and event venue, has moved in, bringing a bright floral mural
Social Good Place Makes Its Home in Sunnyside Read More
By Rebecca Geisen When Gabriel Hernandez started their job at Multnomah County in early 2022, they didn’t expect it to change how they thought about their own life at home.
By State Representative Rob Nosse By the time you read this, the Oregon legislature will have met for a special legislative session to fund transportation in our state, something we
Representatively Speaking – September 2025 Read More
By Cameron Nakashima, BBB Great West + Pacific Big purchases and big projects come with big decisions—and often, more stress than we expect. Whether it’s a home repair, car service,
Looking for a Trustworthy Business? Start With These Three Steps Read More
By Daniel Perez-Crouse Families of SE Portland’s Bridger Creative Science School (BCSS) are frustrated over the prospect of larger class sizes and unmet promises to address that very issue.For context,
SE School Faces Increased Class Sizes, Mixed Messaging Read More
By Marshall Hammond Fear is being felt throughout Oregon’s immigrant population as the Trump administration intensifies its efforts to arrest and deport millions of individuals, sometimes to “third party” countries
As Deportations Terrify Oregon’s Immigrants, Advocates Mobilize to Help Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse As I explained last month, the submission deadline for this column means that I had to wait till this month to share my thoughts about
Representatively Speaking – August 2025 Read More
By Rachel Peterson In September of 2024, as a part of the City of Portland’s Impact Reduction Program, The Wash House began operation in the Central Eastside. For almost a
Inside The Wash House’s Mission to Reclaim Textiles and Lives Read More
By Charlotte Hanscom In an effort to close one of the most persistent gaps in Portland’s recovery system, a new residential treatment center opened its doors this spring. The 16
Portland’s 16 x Burnside Recovery Center Aims to Fill a Critical Gap Read More
By Madeleine Voth The reopening of Portland’s beloved Doug Fir Lounge remains uncertain as permitting hurdles, city consent issues and ADA accessibility concerns continue to stall progress on the venue’s
Portland’s Beloved Doug Fir Reopening Date Still Unclear Read More
By Charlotte Hanscom Every night, thousands of Oregonians sleep on sidewalks, in tents and in cars. Houselessness is continually increasing and is currently one of the main issues the city
Housed, Unhoused Frustrated With City’s Handling of Homeless Situation Read More
By Madeleine Voth Some changes are coming to the Eastside with the anticipated building of a new Live Nation music venue, which is set to open in 2026 and whose
New Live Nation Venue Could Threaten Portland’s Independent Music Scene Read More
By Kris McDowell At the end of March, Imperial Bottle Shop & Taproom owners Alex Kurnellas and Shawn Stackpoole received notice from the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) that their
Imperial’s Outdoor Seating Evolves With Changes to City Programs Read More
By Marshall Hammond “We’re like an oasis,” says Cheryl Bickle, principal of Community Transitional School. “I find that we’re a much calmer school than most public schools, like the ones
NE Portland School Provides Stability For Homeless Children Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse By the time you’re reading this, the legislative session is probably over. I have to submit this column before the legislative deadline, and I didn’t
Representatively Speaking – July 2025 Read More
By Marshall Hammond On Monday, April 28, Multnomah County’s Coordinated Care Pathway Center opened 13 new sobering stations as part of growing efforts between law enforcement and county officials to
Multnomah County Adds Sobering Services to Support Drug Recovery, Reduce Jail Time Read More
By Kris McDowell Summer is here and as we’ve seen in recent years, we can expect high heat days in our future. Summer 2024 was the hottest year on record
Summer Weather Health Hazards Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse Approximately four times a year, the two Revenue and Finance and Tax committees of the Oregon Legislature meet to get an update on the state
Representatively Speaking – June 2025 Read More
By OnPoint Community Credit Union Consumer confidence across the US and here in the Northwest has hit a 12-year low, with more than 27 percent expecting their financial situations to
Five Ways to Alleviate Financial Anxiety During Uncertain Times Read More
By Tessa Rivard, Franklin High School’s The Franklin Post Portland is a lively city, full of bustling streets and energetic neighborhoods. Busy streets around Portland can be hazardous to drivers
A Look at Intersection Daylighting in SE Portland Read More
By Marshall Hammond Oregon’s oldest child welfare agency, Boys & Girls Aid, celebrates its 140th anniversary this year. But widespread government funding cuts—at the city, county, state and federal levels—are
As Boys & Girls Aid Marks 140 Years, Funding Cuts Strain Services Read More
By Daniel Perez-Crouse A beloved neighbor of South Tabor died in a fatal accident on SE Powell Blvd. prompting local outcry to address one of the city’s most dangerous streets
Frustrations Over SE Powell Blvd. Safety Resurface After Fatality Read More
By David Mayne After a temporary pause, Portland Public Schools (PPS) is moving ahead with modernization plans for Cleveland, Jefferson and Ida B. Wells High Schools—taking a more cost-efficient approach
Plans For Modernized CHS Move Forward Read More
By Nancy Tannler On April 16, 2025 the County held the Portland Water Bureau’s Remand Hearing. LUBA (Land Use Board of Appeals) rendered a remand hearing that requires the Portland
Filtration Plant Plans Stalled Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse If you only take away one thing from this month’s column, let it be this: The Oregon Transportation Reinvestment Package as presented a few weeks
Representatively Speaking – May 2025 Read More
By Rachel Peterson Along a busy SE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. under Morrison Bridge sits The People’s Depot (TPD), a beverage redemption center that gives members of the SE
From Bottles to Building Futures: Inside The People’s Depot Read More
By Frances Vice, Franklin High School’s The Franklin Post Beginning around July 2025, tenants will start moving into the Cesar Apartments, located at 1610 SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd., which
Making a Dent in Houselessness at Cesar Apartments Read More
By Kris McDowell The City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) is expanding its work in deconstruction through the support of a grant from the Oregon Department of
Deconstruction Efforts Advanced By Grant Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse Every week I get emails or text messages, even a few Facebook messages, asking me what I am doing to resist the dismantling of the
Representatively Speaking – April 2025 Read More
By Daniel Perez-Crouse Portland-based startup Bold Reuse was one of 25 businesses awarded funding by the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to develop technologies that
Bold Reuse Wins Funding to Prototype New Technology Read More
By Nancy Tannler On December 17, 2024 the Board of Multnomah County Commissioners approved $4.1 million for the construction of what is being referred to as the “Harrison Community Village,”
Tiny House Village Shelter on the Avenue of Roses Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse I am struggling with my sleep. I keep waking up in the middle of the night having the same anxiety dream I have always had—I
Representatively Speaking – March 2025 Read More
By Portland Housing Bureau The Portland Housing Bureau (PHB) has invested $6 million to preserve and extend affordability for existing and future tenants at the Belmont Dairy Apartments and Lofts
Affordability of Belmont Dairy Housing Preserved, Extended Read More
By Kris McDowell Wildfires are a growing concern and, as the wildfires in Los Angeles demonstrated, wildfires are not just a rural concern. It is possible, especially when areas are
Preparing For Urban Wildfires Read More
By Norah Dobrot, Franklin High School’s The Franklin Post On the second Saturday of every even-numbered month, volunteers gather in the gymnasium and parking lot of Portland Open Bible Church
A Look Into Portland Food Project Read More
By Ellen Spitaleri Some people see a need in the community and do something about it, and that perfectly describes Craig and Ronit Gerard, the co-founders of Stone Soup PDX.
Stone Soup Teaches Skills, Reducing Barriers to Employment Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse The 2025 legislative session is in full swing. Last month I talked about my bills that are not focused on health care, Medicaid and behavioral
Representatively Speaking – February 2025 Read More
By Kris McDowell The Portland Housing Bureau (PHB) has announced that $2.65 million in Metro Affordable Housing Bond funds will go to Legin Commons, an affordable housing development that will
124-Unit Affordable Housing Complex Coming to Montavilla Read More
By Ellen Spitaleri There is hope for Portland’s unhoused adult population now that Urban Alchemy has been tapped to be part of one of the largest shelter expansions in the
Urban Alchemy Opens Two Wellness Villages in SE Portland Read More
By Damian Laviolette, OnPoint Community Credit Union US consumers lost a staggering $10.3 billion to fraud in 2023, a 14 percent increase from the previous year’s total, according to the
Cybersecurity eBook to Help Consumers Protect Themselves Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse Most of you know I spend a lot of time on behavioral health, healthcare and Medicaid. Of the 71 bills I filed back in December—so
Representatively Speaking – January 2025 Read More
By Cameron Nakashima, BBB Great West + Pacific This time of year, people look ahead to 2025 with hopes and aspirations for many things. Topping the “new year, new me”
New Year, New Job: Avoiding Employment Scams in 2025 Read More
By Daniel Perez-Crouse The Portland Street Art Alliance (PSAA) recently teamed up with JAM Makery LLC (partner of Open Urban Practice and Bridge Rats Artist Studios in the Central Eastside)
New Murals, Event Space and Urban Garden Renews Vacant Property Read More
By Marshall Hammond Monday, October 14, Multnomah County opened a new facility in SE Portland designed to “deflect” individuals arrested for low-level drug offenses into treatment services instead of jail.
County Opens Center to Deflect Drug Offenders from Jail Into Treatment Read More
By Jonathan Sommer, Franklin High School’s The Franklin Post In recent years, Portland has seen freezing ice storms which caused mass power outages, shut down roads and led to numerous
Winter is Coming: How to Support Our Unhoused Neighbors Read More
I don’t use this space to communicate as a partisan Democrat very often, but in light of November’s election results I felt like that’s the only way I could accurately
Representatively Speaking – December 2024 Read More
By Marshall Hammond On September 26 a crowd gathered for a ceremony celebrating the grand opening of Francis + Clare Place, a 61-residence facility offering permanent housing and on-site supportive
Francis + Clare Place Offers Permanent Supportive Housing Read More
By Daniel Perez-Crouse The new Central Eastside headquarters for Literary Arts, which will greatly expand its offerings and its presence in Portland, is fast approaching completion for the fall. Its
Literary Arts Finds New Home in the Central Eastside Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse As this month’s column is published a few days before the election (brace for impact!), I will save my reactions regarding the results for the
Representatively Speaking – November 2024 Read More
By Marshall Hammond Coinciding with the start of the 2024-25 school year, a group of youths aged 13 to 21 took up residence on the grounds of the Oral Hull
MYC Gives Youth a Voice in Policy-Making Read More
By Kris McDowell The Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (METBA) is one of six business districts that have been awarded a Major Impact Grant from Venture Portland. The City of
METBA Receives Major Venture Portland Grant Read More
By Kris McDowell September saw a return of more than 61,700 students back to Portland area campuses. With that return, traffic levels may be increased in certain areas or at
Back to School Safety For Drivers and Students Read More
By Kris McDowell At the end of August, state, city and community leaders joined the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to celebrate the groundbreaking of the 82nd Avenue Major Maintenance
82nd Ave. Project Underway Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse The November election is not that far away. I know there is a lot of anxiety about it. I promise this will be the last
Representatively Speaking – October 2024 Read More
By David Mayne Significant progress has been made on the design for a new multi-story Cleveland High School, but a major hurdle remains: funding for construction of the school. That
Construction of New Cleveland HS Requires Passage of Future Bond Read More
By Kris McDowell Metro Council approved more than $2.5 million in funding this summer through the Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants program. Five projects in greater Portland were selected to
Depave Receives Metro Grant to Transform SE Street Read More
By Kris McDowell Prosper Portland has announced the 18 projects that will be the recipients of the $1.42 million Community Livability Grants for the 2024-25 fiscal year, leveraging more than
Community Livability Grants Awarded Read More
As you read this, we are only 60 or so days out from the November election. Right?!? With that in mind, this column and October’s will deal with topics that
Representatively Speaking – September 2024 Read More
By Beatrice Liebrecht As voters across the country gear up for another round of elections, Portland is making a significant stride in its electoral process. This November, Portland will debut
Portland Shifts to Ranked-Choice Voting, What Voters Should Know Read More
By Daniel Perez-Crouse The burgeoning artistic revival of the Central Eastside Industrial District just got a boost in the form of 10 newly commissioned murals under bridges and a rebranding
Central Eastside Gets “Avenue of Murals” as Part of Artistic Rebirth Read More
By Marshall Hammond The average rent for a studio apartment in Portland is $1,238 per month. The wage required to rent such an apartment without being rent burdened (spending more
How Do We House Everyone? Local Experts Weigh In Read More
By Jake Lubin With the rise of Fentanyl and other highly lethal drugs, the drug addiction crisis has become increasingly dangerous. For decades, and at every level of government, policy
County Partners With Out-Of-State Provider for Deflection Center Read More
By Jake Lubin Opening this fall at E Burnside St. and 44th Ave. is the new Osoberry School, a Kindergarten through sixth grade school that aims to provide an alternative
New Osoberry School Aims to Provide Alternative Learning Environment Read More
By Beatrice Liebrecht One of Oregon’s oldest standing amusement parks, located in the SE neighborhood of Sellwood, had over two dozen riders suspended in the air Friday, June 14. Known
“AtmosFEAR” Malfunctions at Portland’s Oldest Amusement Park Read More
By Daniel Perez-Crouse Oregon residents looking to reduce their waste with an alternative to one-time use to-go containers when bringing leftovers home from restaurants, and possibly their entire meal, now
Customers Able to Bring Reusable Containers to Restaurants Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse I don’t talk about the outdoors that much in these columns but with summer here I think this topic just makes sense. As you all
Representatively Speaking – July 2024 Read More
By Marshall Hammond Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pedersen delivered her State of the County address to a large audience at OMSI on Monday, April 29. The address, which was
State of the County Address Highlights Homelessness and Addiction Treatment Read More
By Luke Susswood As immigration policy has become increasingly divisive at the federal level, there is a greater need for state and local governments to develop socioeconomic policy that guides
Immigrants’ Impacts on the Economy Read More
