Free Newsletter
Portland Public Schools tackles storm-water management, energy efficiency
Portland Public Schools has focused on storm-water projects 鈥� including bio-swales, eco-roofs and rain gardens 鈥� because the district鈥檚 impervious surfaces are responsible for a significant amount of the polluted runoff that can eventually reach local rivers and streams. The district now has 29 storm-water facilities of various sizes.
Ticking clock for earthquake-unsafe schools
In yesterday's paper I wrote about a statewide program that funds seismic upgrades for K-12 public schools. A tidbit that I didn't mention in the story is this: the program has a deadline for when ALL of the state's schools and emergency buildings should be upgraded.
Program funds seismic upgrades in public schools
A 2007 survey by the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries identified approximately 649 public K-12 schools in Oregon that are likely to collapse in the event of a major earthquake. But a state program offering grants to help school districts pay for upgrades is almost out of money.
School soccer field kicks off construction with a fat check from Timbers, Adidas
A new soccer field at the Chapman School in Northwest Portland had its groundbreaking on Wednesday, and representatives from the Portland Timbers, Adidas and the city of Portland were there to hand over a $40,000 check.
Union reps can’t mosey onto construction sites, school board says
The North Clackamas School District board of directors shot down a policy pitched by board member and passionate pro-union advocate Sam Gillispie that would allow union representatives access to school construction sites. The representatives would be allowed to question workers on site to make sure they鈥檙e being paid the state-mandated prevailing wage.
Oregon’s public schools are unprepared for earthquake
In Oregon, more than 307,000 students attend public school in buildings that experts say would be at risk of collapse if a big earthquake were to hit the Pacific Northwest. But school and government officials and safety advocates are struggling to find a solution to pay for seismic upgrades.
Kitzhaber signs Cool Schools legislation
As many as 43 schools will receive energy-efficiency upgrades this summer, funded by a program officially kicked off today when Gov. John Kitzhaber signed into law his 鈥淐ool Schools鈥� legislation. 鈥淐ool Schools is a triple-win for Oregon,鈥� said Governor Kitzhaber in a statement about the legislation. 鈥淭he program will bring family-wage jobs, cost savings, and better learning environments [...]
Allied Works designs Catlin Gabel Creative Arts Center
For its first ground-up, nonresidential construction project in Oregon, Allied Works will design a 20,300-square-foot, two-story creative arts center for Catlin Gabel. The private school offers instruction for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Southwest Portland near Beaverton.
Still no plan for destroyed Marysville School after bond failure
Since the May 17 failure of a bond measure that would have provided $548 million for school upgrades, Portland Public Schools has not presented an alternative way to pay for several promised construction projects, including Marysville School, a K-8 school in Southeast Portland that was destroyed by a fire in November 2009. Some community members are becoming frustrated.
Eugene Civic Stadium proposals rejected
Three proposals for redevelopment of Civic Stadium struck out on Wednesday night, when the Eugene School Board voted 4-3 to reject all of them.
School district wants on-site double checks for prevailing wage
The North Clackamas School District Bo0ard of Directors next month will decide whether to institute a policy that would allow labor organization representatives access to construction projects to check whether prevailing wages are being paid.
Neighbors want Central Catholic to scrap expansion and scram
A neighborhood group is opposed to an expansion of Central Catholic High School in Southeast Portland and is petitioning for the school to sell its property and relocate.
News
- $960,000 office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 10, 2026
- Two projects in historic districts in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 10, 2026
- 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
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
