The Burnside Blog

In what’s sure to become one of our region’s largest public works projects, not to mention probably one of the most controversial in recent history, on June 24 Portland City Council unanimously moved to preliminary support the development of new $4.2 billion dollar I-5 bridge between Portland and Vancouver, Washington with a whole bunch of caveats including light rail, bike and pedestrian access and tolls. However, the Columbia River Task Force, the official decision makers on the project, voted on June 25th for a more straightforward bridge with light rail but without determining all the other bells and whistles supported by Council, including the toll component. Now what?

The first Sunday Parkways event on June 22 closed off over 6 miles of north Portland roadways to make room for a community cycling celebration. Was it a success like the Oregonian says? And what does this mean for the city anyway? The jury is out.

Randy Rapaport and Holst Architecture deliver another gem to SE Portland

Cyan Condominiums and Yolo Colorhouse team for an evening celebrating urban living, (free) wine, and soundtrack by DJ Mr. Mumu.

Yes, it’s a nice building, but it’s also a huge detriment to what could be a vital neighborhood. Sports arenas have short economic lives, but neighborhoods can thrive for centuries.

Summer dinner series amounts to evenings well spent.

The transformation of the fleabag Days Inn to the chic Hotel Modera is the beginning of something big in Downtown Portland’s south end.

An appeal board has upheld a decision by BDS to allow additional height for a Vaughn Street apartment building in Northwest Portland designed by Portland’s Works Partnership Architecture. This was the right decision.

Adopted Tuesday, New guidelines require a smaller footprint for buildings above 225 feet.

Design Within Reach, Ideabox, Sustainable Communities and others team up this weekend to showcase small-space living.

Path Architecture’s Bold Plans For Portland’s Waterfront.

Measures 37 and 49 did a lot to rework Oregon’s legendary land-use and planning laws. If anything good came out of the historic battle, it was the “Big Look” study, which was commissioned by the legislature and the governor to retool the state’s efforts to balance farmland and open-space protection with property rights and urban growth. Planner John Fregonese was hired to lead the effort.

Keeping Portland green is about to pay off in a big way, but how will we keep Portland affordable?

The weekly food market returns to the Pearl District.

The Oregonian reports that those using duct tape to reserve spaces at Saturday’s Grand Floral Parade will be fined $500. Last year’s debate over taping begs greater questions.