PORTLAND DRIZZLE

🐈‍⬛Thursday Sunny and 81 today, a fine day for stand-up paddleboarding. A North Portland housing project named for a family that helped build the neighborhood just opened, Lloyd Center sentenced to death, and a warning: do not F around with Permitting and Development.

North Portland's newest housing project has roots that go back generations. The Luther Strong Jr. and Dr. Jackie Strong Empowerment Village opened in June at N Alberta and N Williams, already about 70% leased with 75 units. Luther Strong migrated to Portland to escape the Jim Crow South and settled in Humboldt. His son Jackie later sold the family land to the city rather than a private developer, pricing it below market so people from the community could come back. It's the fourth project under Alberta Alive, a partnership between Self Enhancement Inc. and Community Development Partners, for households at 30-60% area median income. Cost: about $44 million. Oregon Metro

Portland already charged some of the steepest short-term rental fines in the country. Now they're steeper. The city bumped its fee schedule 26% this month, and Permitting & Development says it's not about deterrence, it's about keeping the lights on. Fine revenue covers 94% of the department's budget. One Powell Butte family learned this the hard way: eight citations, doubled to $96,523, after mailed notices bounced from a full mailbox. A new cap now limits first-timers to $27,513, still 27 times higher than Denver's. City spokeswoman Chenoa Philabaum acknowledges the penalties can wreck a family financially. That's one way to put it. Willamette Week

The Lloyd Center's last stand didn't work. Portland City Council voted 10-0 Wednesday to reject appeals from two community groups trying to save the mall and its ice rink, the only public rink in Portland reachable without a car. Councilors said it wasn't really their call to make. "There's no decision by which we can force the preservation of this mall," Councilor Mitch Green said. One attendee didn't take it well, shouting "Shame on all of you!" before walking out. The mall closes to the public August 8, and owners plan to replace it with housing, parks, and retail. A final council vote comes July 29, but the outcome already feels like a formality. KGW

This new mural was just completed in Multnomah Village, by Capital Highway and SW 36th. The artist is Casillas Oliver who said this:

“The inspiration came from Oregon’s native landscape and wildlife. I wanted to create a piece that celebrates the beauty of the region by featuring native species such as the Western Tanager, Pacific Trillium, and Sword Fern, with a flowing river connecting the composition. My favorite part is the balance between the vibrant native flora and the bird overlooking the landscape, it creates a calm moment that invites people to pause and appreciate the natural beauty around them.

The mural was created in collaboration with the nonprofit Color Outside the Lines and Regional Arts & Culture Council as part of their efforts to bring more public art into the Multnomah Village community.”

Portland mayor and philanthropist Josiah Failing was born July 9, 1806. The Failing name still marks a street, a school, and a chunk of the city's early civic infrastructure.

I’m going to the flea market- say hi if you see me there.

by Michael Simpson Contact: [email protected]