North Pearl neighbors complain that community building benefits will be lost By Thacher Schmid A neighborhood group voted unanimously to oppose a developer’s reduction in retail space for the 21-story high-rise at Northwest 11th and Pettygrove at the western edge … Continue reading Retail element trimmed in new Pearl high-rise
Conversations about homelessness too often devolve into stereotypes, such as “it’s their choice,” “they’re not from here,” “he needs to get a job,” “it’s not their fault,” etc. Jerry Vermillion’s story transcends paint-by-numbers talking points. Vermillion, 52, has been living … Continue reading Hard working, conscientious, well groomed … and homeless
That’s how Ibrahim Mubarak sees it, and it’s possible nobody in Portland knows more about the topic than he. Known for strong advocacy and direct action tactics, he is once again at the center of local news after Commissioner Dan … Continue reading No Shelter: Advocate Mubarak says agencies turn backs on Terminal 1
A fund drive to underwrite a pedestrian bridge connecting the Wildwood Trail above West Burnside Street is halfway to its $2.5 million goal. Charlie Swindells, chair of the capital campaign for the Portland Parks Foundation, says the 180-foot-span with decorative … Continue reading Bridge over Burnside: Campaign to fund walking span halfway to goal
Can the community rally behind a big tent vision uniting the private and public sectors, faith community, social service sector and philanthropists? That’s the question posed by Homer Williams, the developer proposing a mammoth homeless shelter at Terminal 1 on … Continue reading The Big Plan: Williams Takes Case for Terminal 1 to Public
By Thacher Schmid The old Northrup Food Center—vacant and rotting for 15 years despite occupying a coveted parcel—has finally sold. Its walls could tell a story of colorful characters, contrasting cultures and economic transition as New Portland uproots the old … Continue reading ‘Strange Sale’ – old grocery sells; the working homeless
Formerly illegal camping is now tolerated by the city if it involves no more than six people and tents are removed by 7 a.m. This photo was taken under the I-405 freewayat 9:15 a.m., March 2. Wesley Mahan photo By … Continue reading City rolls out plan to stabilize homeless
Eight rail cars holding liquid asphalt sustained heavy fire damage but did not rupture. Had they been carrying oil, the director of Portland Emergency Management, said, “It would have been a different story.” Photo by Thacher Schmid By Thacher Schmid … Continue reading Ominous message in truck-train fire
Metro plan calls for 500 acres for recreation, including mountain bike trails By Thacher Schmid Though dotted with logging roads and other reminders of people, the second growth Douglas fir forests, creeks and meadows in the North Tualatin Mountains are … Continue reading Tualatin Mountains wildlife may soon have company
For a half-century, the Linnton Plywood Association mill was a model of worker ownership and democratic control of the workplace. Everyone, from the general manager to the guy who ran the Raimann patcher machine—what one former worker called “a … Continue reading Falling Apart
Tank farms Northwest of the St. Johns Bridge are above the Portland Hills Fault, a key reason Linnton would be hard hit by a major earthquake. Photo by Wesley Mahan ‘Perfect storm’ of hazards make Linnton the worst place to … Continue reading Earthquake Central
This article appeared in the July 2015 issue of the NW Examiner. If the Linnton neighborhood is to get its “village,” its “complete community,” as envisioned by its leaders for decades, it will need some help from City Hall. The … Continue reading Linnton’s Stubborn Dream
This piece appeared in the July 2015 issue of the NW Examiner: Corps of Engineers says dredging sediment is ‘suitable for in-water placement’ By Thacher Schmid The Army Corps of Engineers sent public notice to a small group of Sauvie … Continue reading Sauvie Islanders Fight Toxic Dumping
If you’re a big vegetable person like Amanda Munro, who gets enthusiastic about onions, spring salad, potatoes and zucchini, getting a new community garden is cause for celebration anywhere. But for Munro and other residents of Linnton, the promise embodied … Continue reading Community Garden to Knit Town Split by Highway
Writing in the Flat Keys: Thacher Schmid's Portfolio 