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Recent Articles from Tom Henderson
Recent fire sparks review of codes for buildings under construction
Portland Fire & Rescue officials are reviewing their codes and policies for buildings under construction. Their actions come in the aftermath of an alleged arson fire that gutted an apartment complex being built at the corner of Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Monroe Street on Aug. 8.
Coos Bay theater restoration starts on the inside
City officials in Coos Bay could soon seek a contractor to restore the exterior of the town's 88-year-old movie theater, the Egyptian.
Cascade Locks property available for development
Leaders of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs voted this month to officially abandon their plans to build a $30 million casino in Cascade Locks, leaving a 60-acre parcel owned by the Port of Cascade Locks available for development.
Eugene development proposal takes hit from city staffers
A critical report from Eugene city planners could delay a proposed 608-unit housing project indefinitely and lead to a showdown between developers and neighbors before the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals.
Little progress at Independence Station site
A few months after developer Steven Ribeiro said he was ready to resume work on Independence Station, the site looks mostly unchanged. Only some debris has been removed, according to City Manager Dave Clyne.
Revived bridge proposal meets opposition
Although the Columbia RIver Crossing officially fizzled when Washington state legislators voted against helping pay for the project, some supporters think Oregon shouldn't abandon the idea of building an interstate bridge. Reviving the CRC depends on Oregon going it alone with state and federal dollars, and legislators built in a Sept. 30 deadline for obtaining federal funds before their commitmen[...]
UPDATED: Salem developer wants to route traffic past carousel
Some Salem residents are livid about a developer鈥檚 plan for a 107-unit multifamily project that would route traffic to and from the complex slightly past the parking lot for a carousel.
Island City officials concerned nonprofit is not profitable enough
A Portland-based development company that wants to build $7.6 million worth of low-income housing in the Eastern Oregon community of Island City is running into opposition from officials there who are worried that the project might result in lower income for the city itself.
Eugene Airport may save money on project
A $5 million renovation at Eugene Airport has caused some disruption for workers and passengers. But airport administrators say the project has an upside: bids that came in lower than expected, which will save the airport money in the long run.
Mystery of roofer-turned-hero solved
The story about the two Portland construction workers who helped nab a robbery suspect on Monday has spread far beyond Oregon. But in all of the stories, only one of […]
Wave of student housing projects raises concerns in Eugene
A Texas company has bought a six-acre site near the UO campus for $5 million and several other large student housing projects are already underway, raising concerns that the supply of student housing in Eugene may soon outstrip demand.
Portland’s racist history not without heroes
Every building in Portland tells a story. Some of the stories are ugly. This particular story surfaced when I challenged myself to find something interesting to say about the seemingly uninteresting parking lot at the corner of Southwest Washington Street and 11th Avenue.
News
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $10.6 million in top bidders | July 31, 2026
- Many Oregon counties struggling to maintain their fairgrounds
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization 鈥� the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion
