Feature of the Week
Beacon Village Visit
From the moment I arrived at Beacon Village I could feel the positive energy! You can immediately sense the care and thoughtfulness of this program, which provides shelter for unhoused people working to transition into stable housing.
The program is small and effective. They have ten units, and have successfully placed many people into stable housing. As a testament to the relationship-building Beacon Village is doing, former residents who have found longer-term housing come back to visit.
I first learned about Beacon Village through some of my Sunnyside students’ families, who worked with the program. Over time my class gathered donations, helped with a lunch in Laurelhurst Park, and offered other support.
Their gardening program is overflowing with beautiful green plants. When I visited last Friday, villagers were planting hundreds of bulbs that they’ll offer to transplant into neighbors’ yards in the spring. After initial concern from area residents when the program started five years ago, executive director Cara Rothe said Beacon Village has wide support from the neighborhood. Villagers are an important part of the community, and businesses and residents say they’ve made the area safer.
Beacon Village recently learned their budget was cut by 20 percent on short notice, which has affected them this year. I want to tell their story, because it is clear to me that they have a model that works! It was a joy to visit the program, and I will continue to be an advocate for the powerful work they are doing.
Sunnyside Neighborhood Association
On Wednesday night the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association held a meeting to address neighborhood traffic concerns in the wake of the death of community member Grey Wolfe. PBOT engineers Clay Veka and Anthony Buczek and Vision Zero policy manager Dana Dickman presented information about ongoing traffic concerns along Cesar Chavez Boulevard, one of the 30 streets in Portland’s High Crash Network.
My team heard about recent safety investments that have been made on the street, as well as a plan to expedite a speed limit change from 30 to 25 miles per hour. That change will occur soon, with two reader boards to communicate the change. There is always more we can do to make our streets safer, and I will continue to push for a city with zero serious injuries or deaths.
Benefitting From Public Investment
Investing in our infrastructure matters! This week’s atmospheric river was a clear reminder of why long-term planning and public commitment are so essential.
As the heavy rain came down, I found myself thinking about the Big Pipe Project. Completed in 2011, it was a transformational investment to address frequent combined sewer overflows (CSOs) into the Willamette and other waterways. Before this work, Portland saw CSOs more than 50 times a year. Today, we average about four, and those have far smaller volumes and shorter durations.
Because of that sustained effort, our river is cleaner, healthier, and more accessible than it has been in generations. One of my favorite examples of this progress is the dock by the Hawthorne Bridge. I love swimming in the Willamette, and knowing that it’s safer for all of us!
The Big Pipe took two decades and $1.4 billion to build. It wasn’t quick or easy, but the benefits are all around us. The project is more than tunnels and pump stations; it includes the green street planters, rain gardens, and Clean River Rewards program that continue today. Portland’s green infrastructure – trees, rain gardens, bioswales, green streets, and more – slows and absorbs rain, easing pressure on our sewer system and working hand-in-hand with the Big Pipe to prevent overflows.
This is what long-term community investment looks like: cleaner water, healthier neighborhoods, and a more resilient future. I’m grateful to the leaders who set these plans into action a generation ago, and am committed to finding more ways for our city to invest in better systems that make Portland a better, safer, cleaner place to grow up and grow old.
Holding the Line
I was glad to stand on the picket line with my Legacy Advanced Practice Providers union siblings last Friday. They have been on strike at Legacy Emanuel and Legacy Good Samaritan hospitals since December 2, and deserve a fair contract.
The Starbucks Workers United Rally will be at 2 pm tomorrow, December 13 at the Oregon Convention Center Amphitheater. Workers deserve fair wages and conditions, and I will continue to advocate for their rights.
2025 Democracy in Action event
A huge thank you to Geoff Stuckart and Central Catholic High School for hosting the Democracy in Action event last Friday. Every senior at the school attends the event, which offers a chance for discussions with elected officials and representatives of political parties and advocacy groups. What an amazing way to underline that the government relies on involved and informed citizens! I was impressed again this year by how engaged students were; it’s always wonderful to be with students, and to celebrate their learning. Congratulations to Mr. Stuckart on another amazing civics experience!
Small Business Resources
The Office of Small Business is a new program within Prosper Portland. Programs they offer include a campaign to Shop Small PDX that encourages shopping and dining at Portland’s small businesses, and a website for the city’s small businesses that contains information and resources in five languages.
For business owners who need help paying for damage caused by break-ins or vandalism, Prosper’s Local Small Business Expanded Repair/Restore Grant is now open for applications.
Coming Up
CANCELLED EVENT!
I’m so sorry, but unfortunately I have to cancel tomorrow’s Constituent Coffee and Cocoa event. Please stay tuned for a new date!
Las Posadas Portland
Las Posadas Portland will be happening from 1 to 9 pm tomorrow, December 13, at Director Park, 815 SW Park Avenue in Downtown Portland. This will be Portland’s first Las Posadas celebration, a family-friendly holiday celebrating Mexican and Latin American traditions. As part of the event there will be a Poderosas Pavilion, showcasing local Latinx artisans and small business owners.
Peacock Lane
The Peacock Lane Holiday Lights Festival will be from 6 to 11 p.m. December 15-31! Pedestrian-only days will be held Dec. 19 and 20. Peacock Lane neighbors between Belmont and Stark offer beautiful lights and displays for the holidays; admission is free along with hot cocoa!
Area Business Shopping Events
‘Tis the season to support local businesses! Some upcoming holiday shopping events in District 3 include:
- Foster Area Business Association’s Foster the Holidays event, with BINGO card incentives, is happening now. A Cocoa & Caroling event with members of Franklin High School choirs will be from 4 to 5:30 pm Sunday, December 14. Cocoa will be served at Pieper Cafe, 6504 SE Foster, with carolers traveling between 63rd and 67th.
- Montavilla East Tabor Business Association’s Winterfest, featuring local businesses, is also happening now. Events include a Santa Party at Board Bard Games at 11 am Saturday, Dec. 13, and a Merry Montavilla Soiree at 4 pm Dec. 20. Donations of food, kids clothes, adult coats, laundry cards, Fred Meyer cards, and toys for the Vestal Elementary School PTA will be collected every Saturday in December at the Montavilla Burgerville.
- A Fair Trade Holiday Market is being held noon to 6 pm through December 20th at Portland Mennonite Church, 1312 SE 35th St.
- The 82nd and Woodstock Holiday Night Market will be held from 4 to 10 pm this Friday and Saturday, December 12 and 13 at The Old Pawn shop, 5939 SE 82nd Avenue. Drinks, music, and hand-crafted gifts will be available.
- The Lents Farmers & Makers Market will be happening 10 am to 3 pm this Sunday, Dec 14 at The ZED, 5718 SE 92nd Avenue. Live music from Wiley Coyote will be from 10 a.m. to noon, and produce, local arts and crafts, food and treats will be on sale.
Pedestrian Advisory Committee
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will be holding the Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting on Tuesday, December 16 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. via Zoom.
A PDF version of the agenda can be found on the December meeting webpage. Register in advance for this webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Community Resources
Rainy Weather Resources
After a wet week, I thought I would pass along these resources from the Portland Bureau of Transportation for future reference.
- Rainy weather travel tips are available for people driving, walking, or biking.
- PBOT provides free sand and sandbags to anyone who needs them to protect their property from flood damage. Locations in Lents Park and Gabriel Park require you bring your own shovel.
- To report tree hazards on the street or in a park you can call Urban Forestry at 503-823-TREE (8733). Emergency dispatchers are available 24/7.
- More tips on flood safety are offered here for residents and businesses in Portland.
- To report emergency hazards including storm drains that are clogged after removing surface debris call PBOT Maintenance Dispatch 24/7 at 503-823-1700.
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