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Why Portland’s air (and my home) stinks
I鈥檓 coming out of the closet about something: my air stinks. Indoor air quality in existing buildings like my 1920s Northeast Portland bungalow is stale, smelly and causes severe health issues.
Video: Our Lady of the Lake school demolished
Crews with LOI Environmental and Demolition Services demolish the Our Lady of the Lake school building in downtown Lake Oswego.
When architecture becomes advertising
Fifty years ago ad executives made advertisements, and architects designed buildings. Architecture was architecture and advertising was advertising. Today, it鈥檚 becoming harder to make a distinction.
Beaverton can handle more sewage after project completion
Residents of one Beaverton neighborhood can sleep more soundly tonight knowing that the city's sewer system now has the capacity to accommodate them.
Portland-Milwaukie light rail’s ‘Tacoma Structure’
If your commute takes you along Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard, you’ve probably noticed the giant crane just past the Tacoma Street overpass. I was wondering if it had anything to do […]
How long should contractors be responsible for projects?
In Oregon, contractors are only responsible for project defaults for 10 years (six if it鈥檚 a 鈥渟ubstantial鈥� commercial project) under what is called a 鈥渟tatute of repose.鈥�
Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project construction passes 1-year mark
This week, the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project reached something of a milestone as it began its second year of construction.
The value of hands-on experience with design-build
Nathan Clark Corser, Design Principal with IDC Architects (a CH2M Hill company) led an architectural design studio for the University of Oregon, Portland Program with Karl Burkheimer of the Oregon College of Arts and Crafts. This effort brought together students from both institutions along with the participation of Anderson Anderson Architecture of San Francisco for their first design/build proje[...]
Introducing our planning blogger
What I鈥檇 like to explore with you in this space every couple of weeks is the relationship of planning to the long-term vitality of our cities and towns, especially the quality of our communities.
One indicator of the economy: limousine companies
A little while ago I had a conversation with a gentleman who owns a local limousine company. The funny part about the conversation was that by the end, I realized what a great market indicator his business can be. When you think about it, people like to order limos when they are feeling confident about themselves and their businesses. It made me realize that I should probably keep his number and s[...]
Portland’s Central Eastside: a good kind of gritty
The Central Eastside neighborhood has evolved over the past decades to strike an intriguing balance between the more than palatable aesthetic of its public spaces and the grittiness of its industrial heart 鈥� it鈥檚 a good kind of gritty.
A sustainable community for baby boomers
One year ago, two progressive boomer couples hired Green Hammer to design and build a place where they could age among friends in a walkable community with healthy, comfortable buildings that produce as much renewable energy as they consume. The result is Ankeny Row, an urban community of townhouses on the Ankeny bikeway near the bustling shops and restaurants of Southeast 28th 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
