Hood To Coast Auto Sales is relocating to the car lot at the corner of SE 82nd Ave and Stark Street. Owners Lindsey Barber and Matt Barber started the business two and half years ago in its current location near NE Sandy Boulevard and NE 138th Ave. Having outgrown that building, the couple and their two employees will relocate to Montavilla sometime next month.
New signage and banners at 428 SE 82nd Avereflect the pending change to Hood to Coast Auto Salesfrom the location’s previous occupant. For many years the site housed an RV resales business. The Barbers signed a three-year lease on the property but are already looking to becoming long-term occupants of the space. Matt Barber expressed his excitement for the move into an active and welcoming community.
Matt Barber brings nineteen years of automotive experience to his business. However, his partnership with his wife is what shapes the company most. “We offer a family atmosphere where people will not hound-dog you when you step onto the lot,” explained Barber. The company values a hassle-free shopping experience where quality used cars sell at a reduced price.
The new location’s opening date depends on transferring the phones and inventory of used vehicles across town. Look for the car lot to fill up soon, but until then, a listing of the cars for sale is available online at hood2coastautosales.com. Call them at 971-347-3195 with specific questions, or drop in as soon as they are open.
May 27th, True North Studios will host an Art Supply Swap at their artists’ workspace. Located at 455 NE 71st Ave, the event will run from 2 PM to 5 PM. Attendees can donate unwanted art supplies and pick up something new. Only new or moderately used items are accepted.
This event is an opportunity to shed some of those unused supplies sitting around and perhaps find something that you need. A list of sought after items include:
Drawing Tools
Sketchbooks & Paper
Painting Supplies
General Crafting
Books & Magazines
Printing Supplies
Rubber Stamps
Drafting Tools
Usable Paint & Ink
Masks are required for all those who attend. There is no cost for the event, and it is an excellent opportunity to learn about this creative resource in the community.
Thanks to an increased budget in the upcoming fiscal year, Oregon Metro will expand the RID Patrol program to three times its current size. The RID Patrol program serves Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties with dumpsite cleaning services. The program was overwhelmed during the pandemic and has failed to catch up with the current demand. The program expansion is a substantial boost to their capacity with the potential to make a difference in the region-wide trash problem.
The existing two cleanup crews will expand to six teams sometime after the new budget goes into effect on July 1st. Increased funding will cover additional vehicles, staff, and administrative support for the expanded teams. RID Patrol serves the community in multiple ways. Beyond cleaning dumped items across the region, positions in the program often go to people who have seen challenges finding employment. “These additional crews will be staffed by those who traditionally have barriers to employment. Through this program, we are supporting justice outcomes and uplifting our community for those who traditionally have difficulty finding stable and good jobs,” explained Kimberlee Ables, Public Information Officer with Metro.
Adding the new crews will not have immediate results. The RID Patrol program is facing a substantial backlog of illegal dumpsites. A complete listing of reported sites is available online and shows the Herculean task Metro staff need to address. Ables estimates it will be over a year before crews handle the current demand for cleanups. “In prior years, we have maintained a three-day response time and anticipate it will take 12 to 18 months to get back to that level of service.”
Within this round of funding, Metro allocated money to continue a Metro bag program for campsites and providing garbage service to the houseless community. With these efforts, Metro is perusing programs that will provide relief to everyone living in the region. Other programs will have to address the root cause of dumping and litter, but this expansion should improve livability throughout the Metro region.
Provision Group is wrapping up a remodel at 1205 NE 70th Ave. Originally built in 1928, the house received several alterations over the decades before this most recent work. Late last year, developers bought the property and split the lot into two parcels. They intend to build a new structure where the detached garage currently stands.
The home barely resembles its original form, having been transformed by previous remodels. Decades ago, the owners expanded the second floor by removing half of the pitched roof to expand the bedrooms to the outer edge of the building. The alteration created a near-flat roof in the front of the house and dramatically changed the building’s appearance.
The most recent upgrades addressed internal functionality and outward esthetics. Inside the house, crews constructed a second bathroom on the top floor. An upgraded Electric Panel adds capacity for the new bathroom and a rewiring of the existing bathroom on the main floor. The unfinished basement received five additional lights to brighten the space.
Outside, crews enlarged the front-facing second-story windows and added a small vent window between them. The exterior of the building received new siding painted with a white base and black trim. Square wood columns replaced the metal portico supports. Modern horizontal slat metal railings extend from the house and down along the stairs. Permit 21-015771 added a new 9-foot by 28-foot parking pad accessed by a new driveway onto NE 70th Ave. This addition will replace the onsite parking for residents, now that the previous parking is part of the new 6975 NE Multnomah Street property.
Expect this property to become available to purchase soon. Work on the new residence behind it could follow sometime after this home sells. The remodel repurposed the original home efficiently, without excessive waste. Although not a historical restoration, it better unifies the mixed-up renovations of the past.
Today, crews began tearing down the fire-damaged building located at 408 SE 79th Ave. Once the home of Portland Garment Factory, the building suffered complete devastation at the hands of an arsonist. Much of the wood structure burned away in the fire, leaving the unreinforced masonry walls ready to collapse. Demolition experts are addressing the tallest sections of the building first, working their way down and forward.
The fire broke out in the early morning of April 19th and burned for hours. Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) responded to reports of a fire around 3:30 AM. The two-story commercial building is surrounded on both sides by parking lots, preventing the fire from spreading. On April 20th PF&R filed a Dangerous Building report stating that the “exterior walls [are] at risk of collapse.” Soon residents observed the back wall’s separation from the southern side of the building.
The full extent of the demolition process is unknown and may only address hazardous sections of the structure. Built 90 years ago for the Montavilla ice factory, the building underwent many alterations over the decades. Compared to the back two-story portion, the single-story part of the building is constructed out of concrete and suffered only minor structural damage during the fire. However, the cost of salvaging half the building could be unjustified and challenging to reuse.
Look for continued demolition of the building over the next few weeks. The final repurposing of the property is likely years away and may be dependent on a future tenant’s ambitions.
back wall’s separation
UPDATE – Added demolition progress pictures. May 20th, 2021.
UPDATE – Added demolition progress pictures. May 21st, 2021.Back wall is halfway demolished.
UPDATE – May 24th, 2021. Heavy equipment is onsite and working its way into the buildings core. Demolition will progress more quickly in the coming days.
UPDATE – Added demolition progress pictures. May 26th, 2021
UPDATE – Added demolition progress pictures. May 27th, 2021
UPDATE – Added demolition progress pictures. May 28th, 2021
After a year of inactivity, the Jenny Station Condominiums are under construction again. Crews are installing siding, having just finished wrapping the building a vapor barrier. Located at 2434 SE 92nd Ave, the 15 unit multi-family building begin framing in early 2020. Work all but halted a few months later with only minor progression in the summer months. During the winter, the unprotected wood greyed against the rain and snow.
The new work will seal up the building from further weather damage and potentially make way for the building’s completion. The new three-story apartment building will have a mix of two-bedroom units and one-bedroom units on each floor. The project’s website is no longer online. However, those 2020 marketing materials displayed a starting price of $169,000 for the condominiums.
May 2021
The majority of the two-bedroom residences are just under 840 square feet, and the one-bedroom units are between 410 square feet and 486 square feet. This project will not provide off-street parking to residents. However, its location near SE Division and I205 allow quick access to bus and Max lines.
Jenny Station is one of the largest developments underway in Montavilla. Its potential to supply entry-level homeownership in the neighborhood could give young buyers options that are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Hopefully, this current increase in work marks a return of developer confidence and a future rise in density housing.
Yesterday, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) approved $3.35 million to address safety concerns on 82nd Ave. Those funds will pay for updated signs displaying a new lower speed limit and enhance pedestrian crossings at select locations. Work will begin immediately and complete sometime this fall. This effort is in response to a string of deadly collisions between motorists and pedestrians.
A primary component of the pedestrian safety plan centers around reducing the speed limit on 82nd Ave. The change will span Portland’s stretch of the Oregon highway from NE Killingsworth Street to SE Clatsop street, dropping the speed limit from 35 to 30 mph. The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) recently deployed a similar tactic on NE Glisan Street. Part of the allocated money will pay for replacing speed limit signs along the roadway and digital speed feedback signs to alert drivers if they are over the limit. Portland Police will enforce the new speed reduction as soon as crews post updated signs.
NE 82nd Ave crossing at Pacific Street. Image from Google Maps
Funds will also enhance some pedestrian crossings across 82nd Ave. In Montavilla, two existing crosswalks will receive updates to make them safer. ODOT crews will install new rectangular rapid flashing beacons at NE Pacific Street. Those lights activate when people press a button, indicating their intent to cross. On the other side of the neighborhood, ODOT will install enhanced lighting, new signs, and additional striping at Hawthorne Blvd’s intersection with 82nd Ave. Although not as effective as flashing beacons, it will create a more visible crossing environment.
NE 82nd Ave crossing at Hawthorne Boulevard. Image from Google Maps
When looking at the multi-million-dollar investment by ODOT, it appears on the surface that safety is the State agency’s top concern. Transportation safety advocates applauded the immediate action. However, Portland City staff are not satisfied with the meager investment when compared to the $200 million in repairs and safety upgrades needed on 82nd Ave. In a 2018 memorandum of understanding, ODOT and PBOT settled on the $200 million number as part of a plan to transfer ownership of the currently state-owned roadway. Legislation to move that transfer forward is progressing in Salem.
The $3.35 million spent on these updates is a short-term bandaid to the notoriously dangerous road. Much more work is needed and hopefully coming. However, if these improvements can make 82nd Ave a little safer for pedestrians, it is worth the effort. Look for changes to begin soon and note the lower speed limit when driving on the highway.
On April 10th, Wink Vintage opened a new shop on SE Stark Street. The owners merged two successful online vintage businesses into their first physical store. Located at 7909 SE Stark Street, this collaboration from Jennifer Strom and Courtney Kimball provides a curated vintage store where anybody can find something they like.
Having taken over the recently vacated Union Rose space, the store only required minor updates before opening. Outside of painting walls and sanding the floors, the shop was in a usable condition. “They left it in good shape, so there wasn’t a lot of work to be done,” explained Strom. “[We] just adding our own flair,” added Kimball.
Courtney Kimball and Jennifer Strom
Although both are veterans of the vintage sales market, they had day jobs that provided additional income propr to opening this new shop. Kimball has worked for 20 years as a hairstylist and continues to see clients one day a week. Strom left a five-year-long bartending career to pursue her passion for vintage retail full-time. Both are enthusiastic about their new location in Montavilla and have already found foot traffic encouraging when neighboring businesses are open.
The owners are still adding items to the shop, particularly expanding non-clothing goods. However, they are intent on not overcrowding the shop. Items on the racks represent a fraction of what the pair have collected. They regularly scour garage sales, estate sales, and private collections for the best vintage items. Additionally, they invite people to sell items directly to the store. The expanded collection outside the store allows the business to provide personal shopping services. The store staff can hunt for particular items or recommend something based on past interest. They continue to sell online for the many customers across the country and have a devoted audience on the company’s Instagram.
Vintage clothing will not be the extent of the store’s apparel offerings. Working with a local seamstress, Wink Vintage will produce an in-house line using selectively sourced textiles. The backroom will soon become a workspace for clothing production and the occasional alteration of purchased items.
Only a month old, and the shop is already vibrant and active. They are open from 11 AM to 7 PM Wednesday through Saturday and 11 AM to 5 PM on Sundays. Visit them online and in person to get an idea of what items they have, and don’t be shy about asking them if they can find you a particular item.
Arthur’s Automotive & Upholstery is expanding their shop located at 104 NE 80th Ave. After eight years in this location, they have outgrown the existing space and must increase the building’s capacity or risk turning customers away. The new all-metal structure will double their available workspace, giving them room to grow.
Permit application 21-037713 seeks to add 3120 Square feet of floor space to the existing shop’s 2980 Square feet. The new building will sit just north of the original shop, abutting to the current structure. A roll-up door leading onto NE 80th Ave aligns with an existing driveway, currently providing access to the storage yard. The new building is 40 feet wide and 78 feet long and will occupy a large portion of the unbuilt property. The new shop space extends east past the existing buildings, allowing for two more roll-up doors on the building’s eastern half. Those doors face south onto a gated yard.
This project will allow a growing business to remain in the neighborhood and continue to serve the community. Staying in Montavilla while expanding their business is appreciated by owners Veille and Nicole Arthur. “We are so grateful to have received so many referrals from all the neighbors. They really have made us feel welcome here all this time.”
This new expansion follows a recent repainting of the building and other property enhancements. Look for construction at the site later this year and reach out to the shop at (503) 760 6466 or ArthursAutomotive@yahoo.com if you are interested in having them work on your vehicle.
Hinterland Coffee Company is buying the building currently housing the business. Three months ago, owner Trinia Jean opened the storefront in a 1914 era building at 7112 NE Glisan Street. During the initial buildout process, it became apparent that future growth would require a substantial renovation. That level of investment is impractical as a renter. Purchasing the building became the only way forward to expand Hinterland’s business and realize the building’s potential.
The current property owner is interested in selling to Trinia Jean, and a downpayment is all that is needed to move forward. Having just opened the store and already investing in repairs to the building, Jean launched a Kickstarter campaignto gather the necessary funds. The $60,000 goal will cover most of the downpayment and allow the business to further transform the space into a “comfortable, inviting place for good folx to gather.”
With just over ten days to go in the campaign, Hinterland made the original goal and is now collecting additional funds. New rewards are available for backers, and the extra money could accelerate plans for the building. Jean is happy with the funding model she chose because people are receiving something for their support. Although it is possible to donate money to the cause, most backers are stocking up on coffee beans and unique apparel through backer rewards.
With the sale not yet complete, buildout plans are still in the pre-planning stage. Trinia Jean did not let herself look too far ahead as owning the building was still just a dream until this weekend. However, there are several next steps for the business. Permits to open the cafe are needed, and outdoor seating behind the shop will enable Hinterland to grow the coffee side of the operation. Coffee bean roasting and drink sales are on the path to take over the business’s income stream. Selling their collection of products that embody Jean’s “weird sense of humor” will always be part of Hinterland’s operation. It just has a narrow audience, according to Jean, “we’re not for everybody, and that’s OK.” In contrast, their coffee has broad appeal and the power to bring people together inside the shop.
Online retail continues to be the engine of Hinterland’s success. The people who take joy in the company’s creations have expanded thanks to the internet. Now the popularity of the brand has outgrown the capacity of their backroom print shop. In their early years, screen-printing was the main business for Hinterland. They provided commercial printing services for other companies and their selection of clothing. Recently they stopped taking outside work and soon will move all screen printing work to a local company.
While the rough space inside the building worked for screen printing, it will not work well for retail and cafe service. When building ownership is secured, and screen printing relocates, Trinia Jean will transform the whole building into a comfortable retail space. These improvements will take a restorative approach instead of modernization. She respects the 100-year-old building and enjoys its classic characteristics. Work will eventually uncover some of the building’s original architecture and repair it to survive many more years of use.
Sanborn Map 1924
Trinia Jean has received a warm welcome to the neighborhood and general excitement for her efforts. This section of NE Glisan has grown sleepy over the years and has needed a revival. The residents appreciate the recent resurgence of activity. “Everyone is just excited to have some life in a space that didn’t have a lot of life initially,” explained Jean. With the funded Kickstarter campaign, people should start to see further enhancements to these shops and more lively activity around them.
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