On June 24, 2018, an interfaith gathering for Immigrant Justice protested President Trump's "Zero Tolerance" policy at the Federal Correctional Institution in Sheridan, Oregon. Participants prayed, sang, and read scripture, opposing the internment of 123 refugees and the separation of parents from their children.

Despite officials portraying objectors as "radicals," diverse Portlanders united, led by love, to condemn the policy as immoral and support detainees. Freedom for Immigrants (https://www.freedomforimmigrants.org/) offers data on detention, highlighting it as a major industry. This event was filmed by Ruth Ann Barrett.

Michael Mehaffy, Executive Director of the Sustasis Foundation, spoke to the Downtown Portland Association on February 28, 2023, about the city's urban challenges. The full discussion is available here: https://www.sustasis.org/dna-chat

Dr. Mehaffy is an internationally recognized urban development researcher, educator, and consultant. He directs the Sustasis Foundation, an Oregon non-profit focused on urban issues, and has held academic appointments in seven countries. His experience includes consulting for Portland and Metro, teaching at the University of Oregon, and managing the pioneering Orenco Station transit-oriented development.

With a keen interest in Portland's urban successes and lessons, Dr. Mehaffy considers the city a second home, though he now lives in the Columbia Gorge.

On March 10, 2022, a Downtown neighborhood association convened to discuss a proposed Safe Rest Village (SRV) site on Naito Parkway. SRVs, detailed here, offer shelter, case management, and health services, providing a humane alternative to growing tent encampments in Downtown and Old Town.

The PDNA-sponsored Q&A session featured Portland City Commissioner Dan Ryan and Multnomah County Commissioner Sharon Meieran, who addressed questions submitted in advance by neighborhood residents.

Portland's Lan Su Chinese Garden, situated in the struggling Old Town corridor, faces significant challenges from the pandemic, a growing houseless crisis, and racism.

Executive Director Katherine Nye discussed these impacts on the garden during an interview on "The Story," which aired September 28, 2021.

Portland Charter Review Commissioner Melanie Billings-Yun offered an overview of the Charter Commission process and addressed attendee questions. This independent body is convened by the City Council every 10 years to review and recommend amendments to the City of Portland Charter.

For more information on the Charter Commission's work, visit here.

Addressing Portland's significant homelessness crisis, the Southwest Hills Residential League (SWHRL) hosted a panel on practical steps forward. The event featured leaders from four volunteer organizations dedicated to tackling this challenge.

These groups offer diverse solutions: Alan Evans (Helping Hands/Bybee Lakes Hope Center) supports sustainable life changes; Kiley Yuthas (Transition Projects) aids the move from streets to housing; Laura Golino de Lovato (Northwest Pilot Project) assists low-income seniors; and Toni Wallick (Home Share Oregon) connects homeowners with those needing shelter.

Michael Montoya addressed the Pearl Neighborhood Association (PDNA) Board Meeting on September 9, 2021.

He serves as the interim head of the City of Portland's Office of Community & Civic Life.

Montoya was appointed interim director in May 2021, following nearly two years as the bureau's strategy, innovation, and performance manager.

William Mitchell delivered a talk titled "Portland: A Black Perspective" on July 1, 2020.

This event was hosted by the Pearl District Neighborhood Association in Portland, Oregon.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown recently spoke with Climate One.

During the discussion, she identified coal and cars as the state's two primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

This panel discussion, presented on November 4, 2005, and published April 9, 2015, examines Portland's evolving approach to homelessness. It contrasts Mayor Bud Clark's 1985 "12-Point Plan" with the city's 2005 "10-Year Plan to End Homelessness," questioning how strategies have changed and why new outcomes are anticipated.

Moderated by Gretchen Kafoury (former city commissioner and Portland State University faculty), the panel featured three key community leaders. Erik Sten, City Commissioner, discussed the city's program. Genevieve Nelson, co-founder of Sisters of The Road, shared insights from a survey of 400 homeless individuals. Lisa Schroeder, a business owner and co-chair of the Downtown Retail Council, provided the downtown business perspective.

On October 23, 2009, City Club welcomed former Oregon Board of Higher Education members Kirby Dyess, John von Schlagell, and Donald Blair.

Appointed by Governor Kulongoski in 2004, they served until 2008, tasked with creating an innovative, entrepreneurial system to stabilize university income and costs. They discussed their experiences and how outdated organizational structures reportedly hindered their ability to achieve these higher education goals.

A local news story provides further context: Higher Education Leaders Say Structures Hindered Goals.

The Oregon Values & Beliefs Study, conducted every decade by DHM Research, presents its latest findings. This year's study was sponsored by the Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon Public Broadcasting, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), and Oregon State University.

Join Adam Davis, founder of DHM Research, and Dr. John McConnell from OHSU's Center for Health Systems Effectiveness, with Think Out Loud host Dave Miller. They will discuss how Oregonians value education, healthcare, the environment, and other key issues. Davis brings over 30 years of public opinion research expertise, while Dr. McConnell is a distinguished health economist.

This solution tackles pollution, water waste, and aesthetic problems of surface parking lots in Portland, Oregon. Inspired by NPR's "Building Sponge City" concept (January 2015), the content was curated by Ruth Ann Barrett of EarthSayers.tv.

A multidisciplinary team developed this initiative, including Mary Vogel of PlanGreen (Regenerating Communities), Kelli A. Grover of Firwood Design Group (Surveying, Engineering, Planning), Maria Cahill of Green Girl Land Development Solutions (Cost-Effective Storm Water Infrastructure), Suenn Ho of Resolve Architecture (Architectural and Urban Design), and Marianne Zarkin (Landscape Architects).

Upon moving to Portland's Old Town/Chinatown neighborhood in April 2014, I observed numerous buildings marked "U" for unsafe, two within a single block. This area reportedly has the city's highest concentration of such structures, a regrettable situation for a city proud of its built environment.

A December 2014 update includes a presentation on Unreinforced Masonry Buildings (UMB), available here.

This panel will address challenges in redeveloping historic buildings within Portland's Old Town Chinatown, an area home to two National Historic Districts. It will explore financial tools, incentives, and streamlined processes to attract private investment and restore these vital structures.

Speakers include Brian Emerick (Emerick Architects), Julie Garver (Innovative Housing), Jeff Joslin (City and County of San Francisco), Peggy Moretti (Restore Oregon), and Ethan Seltzer (Portland State University). Chet Orloff (Pamplin International Collection of Art & History) will moderate.

Published on June 24, 2014, by the City Club of Portland.

This publication, from the City of Portland's Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, offers a brief introduction to Portland's diverse neighborhoods.

It highlights the unique character of each area.

Originally posted in December 2014.

Streamed live on January 9, 2015, this forum on "Healthcare & Homelessness" discussed City Club's new report and critical community issues.

The event explored how to maximize health benefits for Multnomah County's homeless population through healthcare reform and Oregon Health Plan expansion. Homelessness is a complex public health challenge where the struggle for stability often overshadows health needs, exposing deep fault lines in our current healthcare system.

Panelists included Crista Gardner, David Labby, Leo Rhodes, and Rachel Solotaroff.

An upcoming forum will address what's working, what's not, and potential improvements for homelessness by next year. Panelists include Multnomah County Chair-Elect Deborah Kafoury, Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, Suzanne Hayden (Citizens Crime Commission), Traci Manning (Portland Bureau of Housing), Matt Morton (Native American Youth and Family Center), and Leo Rhodes (Street Roots). KGW's Reggie Aqui will moderate.

This initiative builds on past efforts, such as Nan Roman's (National Alliance to End Homelessness) April 4th presentation on causes and solutions. A City Club research committee is also studying how Multnomah County's homeless population can benefit from healthcare reforms, with results due in January. The City Club of Portland has dedicated 2014 to finding practical solutions to end local homelessness through research, advocacy, and public forums.

Portland is experiencing an unprecedented architectural boom, impacting citizens across many neighborhoods. While the city's Design Review process evaluates new buildings, its most stringent oversight applies only to downtown and a few inner districts.

A panel will explore how Design Review functions, its effectiveness, and potential expansion city-wide. Experts Michael McCullouch, Guenevere Millius, and John Russell will share insights, with Randy Gragg moderating the discussion.

As Portland revitalizes its Old Town/Chinatown, a neighborhood home to two National Historic Districts, there is renewed interest in preserving its architecture and reusing historic buildings. This panel will address the challenges of redeveloping these structures, explore better financial tools and incentives, suggest in-fill considerations, and discuss streamlining processes to attract private investment and restore buildings to full service.

Speakers include Brian Emerick (Emerick Architects), Julie Garver (Innovative Housing), Jeff Joslin (City and County of San Francisco), Peggy Moretti (Restore Oregon), and Ethan Seltzer (Portland State University). Chet Orloff (Pamplin International Collection of Art) will moderate the discussion.