COMMISSIONER RANDY LEONARD'S BLOG

Anticipated sale of Portland Loos to San Diego held up by statewide redevelopment battle

Much-needed public restrooms get caught up in the battle over the future of redevelopment

The Portland Loo seemed like an easy, cost-effective way to address a problem that even a good, regular power-washing can’t fully scrub from Downtown San Diego sidewalks.

From the San Diego City Beat

The Portland Loo seemed like an easy, cost-effective way to address a problem that even a good, regular power-washing can’t fully scrub from Downtown San Diego sidewalks.

To Girls Think Tank, a nonprofit focused on homelessness, the Loo was a simple solution to Downtown’s public-restroom shortage; in June 2010, the City Council agreed.

But public-works projects, even those as relatively small as the Loo, can easily become complicated: First there was a five-month public-outreach process. Then arose the issue of who’d pay for the maintenance. By June 2011, everything appeared to have been sorted out. But then came a lawsuit challenging the state’s overhaul of local redevelopment programs and, with it, a freeze on the Loo’s funding source.

“Some of us, myself included, naively thought we’d get the restrooms by January of 2011,” said Noor Kazmi, vice president of Girls Think Tank, which first proposed the Loos in early 2010. “There are a lot of things that are out of our control, obviously.”

Girls Think Tank started in 2006 as a group of girlfriends, many of them attorneys and law students, meeting over dinner to discuss solutions to homelessness. Two years ago, they launched the Basic Dignity Campaign after surveying Downtown’s homeless population to see what was needed most.

“Of course, the first thing was housing,” Kazmi said. “But the second thing was access to public restrooms and clean drinking water.”

The Loo’s been a success in Portland—there are four located throughout the downtown area with plans for two more this year, said project manager Anne Hill.

Maintenance of each Loo—including supplies, thrice-daily cleanings and water—is estimated at $24,000 a year, said Tara Lake, a CCDC project manager. By comparison, the city spends more than $200,000 a year to operate its two 24-hour public restrooms, located at the Civic Center and at the southern end of the Gaslamp Quarter.

While community leaders in Little Italy ultimately concluded that a Loo wasn’t for them—they’re opting for a less-expensive public restroom—it was decided, with input from neighborhood groups, that one Loo would be located on city property at 14th Street and Imperial Avenue near Tailgate Park and the other at a proposed off-leash dog park at 11th Avenue and Market Street.

Though redevelopment money can cover the purchase and installation of the Loos, CCDC would need to find someone to pay for maintenance. Funding for the Loo at 11th Avenue and Market Street was easy: The cost would be built into the contract of whomever operates the dog park’s adjoining parking lot. For the second Loo, CCDC first approached the Padres. But, after months of negotiations, in July, the team said it didn’t have the money. However, the Downtown San Diego Partnership, an association of Downtown businesses, has agreed to pay for the maintenance of the Tailgate Park Loo under a one-year pilot program, said the Partnership’s president, Kris Michell.

In an Aug. 10 post on the GTT website, Kazmi said she hoped the Loo would get its “first flush” before the end of 2011.

The very next day, Aug. 11, the state Supreme Court halted redevelopment activity pending the outcome of a legal challenge to legislation that requires cities to either dissolve their redevelopment agencies or make annual payments to the state in exchange for redevelopment being allowed to continue. Under the court’s stay, CCDC can’t enter into any new contracts. The court’s expected to make a decision by Jan. 15, 2012.

“The Portland Loos, like many other neighborhood projects, are unfortunately caught up in the battle over the future of redevelopment,” said City Councilmember Kevin Faulconer, whose district includes Downtown. “I will be pushing for funding for this project and others as I continue to battle Sacramento’s grab for San Diego redevelopment dollars.”

CCDC’s Lake traveled to Portland recently to visit a friend and made a point to check out the Loos.

“They looked great, they were working well, they were a huge hit,” she said.

Last week, Lake was perusing San Diego’s general plan— the document that guides the city’s long-term development— and was surprised to see that the need for more public restrooms was included in the “mobility” section of the plan.

“It talks about how public restrooms should be around and accessible. It was talking about improving the pedestrian environment and having people out and walking,” she said. “A lot of people wouldn’t have thought o put that in the mobility element.”

Email kellyd@sdcitybeat.com or follow her on Twitter at @citybeatkelly.

Portland Fire & Rescue Responds to Morning Apartment Fire in NW Portland

Portland Fire & Rescue responded to reports of heavy smoke pouring from an apartment building located at 2229 NW Everett at 8:17 am. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered thick black smoke coming from a large structure that housed eight apartment units. Firefighters from NW Portland Station 3 aggressively attacked the fire and quickly extinguished the blaze. A search was performed to ensure that everyone had evacuated the building safely.

Fire investigators have ruled the cause of the fire as accidental. Reports indicate that there was one occupant in the fire unit at the time of the fire and that the fire resulted when a towel was accidentally placed over a lamp. Damage is estimated at $15,000. Occupants of the apartment building will be allowed back into their units later today. There were no reported injuries and firefighters cleared the scene at 10:19 am.

"Early morning fires are always a concern for firefighters in apartment buildings because often times people are sleeping, and evacuating a number of people in a timely manner is critical to occupants' safety," said Public Information Officer Paul Corah.

Contact Info: PIO Paul Corah 503-940-6003

Portland Firefighters Revive Man after Forklift Accident in -5 Degree Warehouse

At 7:29 pm, Portland Firefighters from NE Portland Station 14 were dispatched to calls of a pin-in trauma involving a single victim at a NE Portland warehouse.  Firefighters arrived at Western Box Meat Company, located at 2401 NE Argyle Street, at 7:33 pm. 

Reports indicate that a 65-year-old male had been driving a forklift when he apparently backed into a support beam, was pinned between the forklift and the beam, and sustained a crushing injury.   There were six workers in the building at the time of the accident.  Fellow workers freed him from between the beam and the forklift.  Upon arrival firefighters found that the man had no pulse and began performing CPR.

"Unfortunately, it is rare on trauma calls such as this to have a positive outcome," said Public Information Officer Paul Corah.  "When a patient has no pulse, a positive outcome would mean bringing them back to life."

According to Firefighter/Paramedic Tremaine Clayton who responded to the scene, the cooler that the man was working in was -5 degrees Fahrenheit.  Because he sustained his injuries in such a cold environment, firefighters believe this may have meant the difference between life and death for the patient.

"After performing CPR, firefighters were able to establish a healthy heart rate and viable blood pressure by the time the man arrived at Emanuel Hospital where he was immediately taken into surgery," remarked Corah.

Contact Info: Contact:  PIO Paul Corah 503-940-6003

Portland Fire & Rescue Responds to 2nd Alarm Wildfire on North Willamette Blvd

At 4:21 pm, Sunday, Portland Fire & Rescue responded to reports of smoke rolling up and over homes along North Willamette Blvd. just north of the University of Portland. Upon arrival, first responding firefighters discovered a wildfire that apparently originated near 5924 North Willamette Lane creeping up the bluff from the bottom of the hill toward homes.

 

Incident commanders called for a 2nd alarm response bringing a total of 60 firefighters and additional resources to the scene to fight this blaze at around 4:30 pm.

The fire, which spanned approximately 100 yards in length, originated at the bottom of the bluff. Firefighters at the top of the bluff began pulling hose lines and undertaking structural protection tactics to save homes, while firefighters at the bottom of the bluff began aggressively attacking the wildfire using wildland firefighting equipment and tactics. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to one acre in size with the use of 1 3/4-inch hose lines that they used by hand to control the blaze.

Once the fire was brought under control at approximately 4:51 pm, firefighters began mopping up the fire zone. They doused the entire affected fire area with foam using 1-inch hose lines to ensure that there are no flare ups and are maintaining a fire watch over the area. The aggressive firefighting tactics resulted in firefighters stopping the wildfire at the fence lines of several backyards. No structures sustained damage in the fire.

"This fire took place in the same location as the Willamette Bluff fire of 2001," said Public Information Officer Anthony Schaffer. "In fact, a tree in the back yard of one of the threatened homes was still charred from the previous fire."

Fire Investigators have just released that this fire was caused by a child playing with matches. Portland Fire & Rescue urges citizens to keep matches and lighters away from children, preferably in a locked cabinet, and to teach children at an early age about fire danger.

********

Portland Firefighters are currently making an aggressive attack against a wildfire that is approximately 100 yards long and moving uphill towards N. Willamette Blvd. The attack is being made at approximately North Willamette and North McKenna. Firefighters are laying hose lines between structures to protect them and attack the fire.

A 2nd alarm has been called for by the incident commander.

A Public Information Officer is responding to the scene. Media staging will be one block north of Willamette Blvd. on N. McKenna.

Updates will be provided as they become available.　

Contact Info: PIO Anthony Schaffer 503-940-6003

Portland Firefighters Use Collective Strength to Lift Truck off Pinned Patient

Portland Fire & Rescue responded to reports of a pin-in vehicle accident at 1:49 am, Sunday. Firefighters from North Portland Stations 6, 8, and 22 responded to the scene at 13225 N. Lombard.

Upon arrival, firefighters found that three individuals had been ejected from a pick-up truck in the accident. Two individuals were found in a nearby field. A third was found pinned underneath the truck, which had landed on its side on the road. What firefighters did next surprised even the fire chief on scene.

"I was impressed to watch our firefighters collectively circle the overturned truck and lift it off the man pinned underneath," said Battalion Chief Terry Munro. "Even though we carry lots of specialized equipment, strength turned out to be the quickest and most efficient way to rescue him."

Portland Firefighter/Paramedics worked to stabilize the patients at the scene and multiple ambulances and Life Flight were activated to respond. All three patients were transported to Emanuel Hospital. The two individuals found in the field had non-life threatening injuries. The man pinned underneath the truck sustained life threatening injuries. Portland Police Bureau is on scene investigating the cause of the accident.　

Contact Info: PIO Anthony Schaffer 503-940-6003

 

Portland Fire & Rescue Dive Team Locates Car, Victim after Seawall Breach

  
Early this morning, Portland Fire & Rescue responded to reports of a vehicle that entered the Willamette River. Initial reports indicated that around 2:45 am, a car left the Hawthorne Bridge and landed in the river. However, upon further investigation it was determined that the vehicle apparently was driving eastbound on SW Salmon Street and for unknown reasons went through the Salmon Street Fountain, breached the seawall at Waterfront Park, and entered the Willamette River.

Firefighters, including Portland Fire & Rescue's Dive Team, responded at 2:58 am. Four firefighters specially trained as divers began a rescue operation to locate the car in the river and search for possible victims. Divers located a Toyota Camry in the river and brought up a single victim at approximately 3:27 am - a female in her late 30's or early 40's. Efforts to revive her at the scene were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead at 3:41 am.

Portland Police Bureau is currently investigating the incident and Portland Maintenance Bureau personnel are working to temporarily shore up the breach in the seawall prior to the start of the morning commute.　

Contact Info: Contact: PIO Paul Corah 503-940-6003

 

 

 

 

Randy In the News 9.22.11

OPB article about the City Council's approval for it's share of the Oregon Sustainability Center's funding.

Portland Mercury about City Council decisions this week, including funding the Oregon Sustainability Center and funding the new Office of Equity.

Portland Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge to Raise Funds & Awareness for Cystic Fibrosis

On Sunday, September 25, 2011 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, firefighters from Portland and the entire state will join with firefighters from Washington, California, and as far away as Florida, Tennessee, Colorado and Montana to compete in the 3rd annual Portland Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge.

During the stairclimb, 500 firefighters will race up 40 floors or 800 steps of the U.S. Bancorp Tower in downtown Portland in over 70 pounds of full firefighting gear. Each firefighter is climbing to raise awareness and funds in the battle against Cystic Fibrosis (CF). In 2010, the event alone raised more than $75,000 that was donated directly to the Oregon Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis.

Special guest and Senator Ron Wyden will be in attendance this year to welcome and wish luck to the competing firefighters.

Racers will vie for men's and women's titles in individual competition and team titles will be awarded based on the combined time of the team's fastest racers. Awards will also be presented to the firefighters that raise the most in donations.

Wes Loucks, a retired Portland Fire & Rescue Firefighter of 32 years, and his wife Belinda founded the Portland Firefighter Stairclimb when both of their young grandsons were born with CF. CF is a chronic genetic disease impacting a child's lung and digestive system. Currently, more than 30,000 children in American have CF. In the 1950s, few children with CF lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. However, there is no cure for CF. Wes is now calling on his friends, firefighters and community to help raise money for research that will aid in finding the cure.

Although the Portland Firefighter Stairclimb is open only to firefighters, the public can help several different ways. On Friday, September 23, 2011 beginning at 6:00 pm, a Kick-Off party for the stairclimb will be held at Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub located at 112 SW 2nd Avenue. All are invited to attend and take part in a 50/50 raffle, giveaways, and beverage specials throughout the night. All proceeds will benefit the CF Foundation. The public can also support the stairclimb's mission through donations. Visit http://www.portlandstairclimb.com/ to make a donation that will support the mission of the CF Foundation and help keep pace with current commitments to vital cystic fibrosis research and care.

The media is invited to get pictures/video of the race, interview climbers and see family and friends cheering on their favorite climbers. Please contact Wes Loucks at 503-539-8848 to schedule a time to be escorted into the race area.　

Contact Info: Wes Loucks

Founder & Chairman

Climb for the Cure 

www.portlandstairclimb.com   

503-539-8848

Turn of the Century Home in Hawthorne Neighborhood Catches Fire

At 11:58 am, Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a two and a half story house fire at 1400 SE 34th. Firefighters arrived in three minutes and reported heavy fire and smoke billowing out of the home's second story.

The firefighters used forcible entry to gain access to the fire because no one was home at the time.  Firefighters then quickly located the fire on the first floor after observing a bright glow in the back area of the home in the kitchen. Because of the older type of construction, fire raced up the walls and got into the second story and attic of the home.

Firefighters worked alongside one another to diligently fight the fast moving fire, attacking it from the inside of the home and on top of the roof. No injuries were reported.

"Houses built around the turn of the century cause us concern due to the type of construction and the lack of fire blocking that can cause fires to escalate quickly," said Battalion Chief Jim Forquer.

The homeowner reportedly left the home at 10:30 am and when notified by his neighbor, he quickly returned to speak with Fire Investigators.

Fire Investigators are on scene trying to determine the cause of the fire. Damages are estimated at $50,000.

Portland Fire & Rescue reminds citizens that when there is fire or emergency in their neighborhood, help create a safe space for firefighters to work by staying on the sidewalk and away from hoses and fire apparatus.

Contact Info: Public Information Officer Paul Corah
503-940-6003

Today is Mexico's Independence Day

If you're wondering why City Hall has a Mexican flag flying in the place we usually don our Portland flag, it's because this afternoon, Randy and the Consul of Mexico, along with a few other onlookers, exchanged the Portland flag for the Mexican one in a show of solidarity with Mexico on it's 201st Anniversary of Mexican Independence. Randy read a proclamation as well, the same one he read at City Council yesterday morning,  declaring September 15th to be a day of recognition in the City for Mexico's independence from Spain, much like our own independence from England on July 4th. There is a larger event in Pioneer Square today called El Grito to celebrate this Mexican holiday.

Oregon has represented new beginnings for many generations of Americans.  Starting in the 1850s, Mexican immigrants began moving north to join others in building this state.

As farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, and activists, the Mexican community has shaped Oregon and Portland.

Our relationship with Mexico is not defined strictly by immigration.  Mexico is one of our largest trading partners at nearly $1 billion a year, and we hope to expand trade and cultural exchange.

¡Viva México!

Posted by Anna DiBenedetto