Category: Construction

Construction, Renovation October 30, 2026October 30, 2026

BAM Collective Reviving Historic Storefront

People driving by 7123 NE Glisan Street have watched over 100 years of remodels peel away from a historic storefront dating back to when Montavilla ceased being an independent town and joined the expanding Portland city limits. The new owners purchased this 1912-era building to square up the adjacent property they own next door. However, architect Bill Neburka hoped it would contain the bones of its early 20th-century former storefront. He and the other two members of the BAM Collective found the outline of old Portland commerce inside the walls of this neglected building, and the ownership group wants to restore it to a community-serving use while adding a modern expansion that will increase housing and add space for future businesses.

Modern cafe building with greenery, featuring outdoor seating and people dining at wooden tables. — *_{Concept rendering for storefront. Courtesy Evident Architecture Office}*

Bill Neburka, Anthony Kell, and Michael Quinn formed the “BAM Collective” to redevelop the O’Neill’s Tools building into a commercial retail space on the corner of NE 72nd Avenue and Glisan. Still, the small dual-unit commercial building at 7123 NE Glisan Street always seemed like a missing piece to their quarter-block parcel. They initially called the small battleship-gray building the box as a diminutive reference to its condition, but kept it post-cleanup for its square shape. It is now called the Toolbox building to link with the Tool Building development next door. It took three dumpsters to clear the space last used as an appliance repair shop. They then were able to strip away the additions to the building. “It was just layer after layer,” recalled Neburka. “It was four layers on everything, four layers on the walls, four layers on the floor.” They chose to keep the original horizontal wood plank walls from the lowest layer wherever possible. “We’re going to have that rustic barn look. Everybody seems to like it, so we’ll keep it on the walls,” said Neburka.

Interior view of a partially constructed room with wooden walls, featuring multiple windows and a door leading outside. A parked car is visible through the doorway. — *_{Original wood-frame transom windows}*

The team was excited to find some of the original commercial storefront intact, with the wood-frame transom windows topping the space where large display windows once flanked the recessed entryway. Originally, they expected to demolish the front of the building and create a new facade with modern materials. However, the BAM Collective team wants to save as much of the original building as possible. They will need to remove the exterior Dutch lap clapboard boards to install a vapor weather barrier and repair some water damage. They plan to reinstall the siding, as the old wood has held up well.

Interior of a partially constructed room showing exposed wooden framing, a large window, and a heating unit. — *_{Original 2-bedroom apartment above shop}*

Above the retail space that was first home to Shreiner bakery is a two-bedroom apartment that will be restored for future habitation. Demolition crews removed much of the single-story addition at the rear of the property, leaving a stairway accessible from the walkway running along the western edge of the building. Designers are working to create a modern back half of the building to extend the ground-floor commercial space and make room for a second one-bedroom apartment at the back. Crews will modernize the stairway, which will then lead to a shared hallway at the center of the second level for residents.

Interior of a partially renovated room showing exposed walls, a door, two windows, construction debris, and a vacuum cleaner. — Midcentury built storefront

View from a rooftop showing a neighboring building with a gray exterior and trees in the background under a blue sky. — Midcentury built storefront

Around the 1950s, an extra single-story storefront was built between the 100-year-old building and the BAM Collective’s Tool Building. That structure will require significant reconstruction, including moving an exterior wall to provide a gap between the neighboring building. That space may become the new workplace of Bill Neburka’s Evident Architecture Office. Currently, his business is located east of this site on NE Glisan Street in another property BAM Collective members are involved in. The group is betting on this commercial corridor from a community position. They want to preserve and restore the buildings here and make sure they can support local businesses and bring easily accessible resources to the community. In most cases, knocking down these buildings would be faster and perhaps more profitable for investors. However, as locals, they hope reworking these spaces will better serve people and anchor the neighborhood’s past prosperity with the corridor’s future revival.

Architectural floor plan of a two-story bar and restaurant layout, including areas for dining, kitchen, and a rear garden. — *_{Concept floor plan for remodel with space for a restaurant or bar. Courtesy Evident Architecture Office}*

They have already had interest from the food and beverage industry in opening within the remodeled storefront. The cellar below the building is a fitting storage space for those businesses, and the addition in the back could contain a kitchen next to a back dining room. Because they also own the property behind the lot, there is potential for a garden dining space behind the Tool Building, but only if a future occupant wants it. The tenant selection process will take time, and its outcome will shape the construction schedule. “Just like the building next door, we don’t want to rent it to just anybody,” said Neburka. “We probably should be, but we’re not that financially motivated. We really see this as an investment in the neighborhood, not just an individual building.”

Interior of a modern bar with a curved counter, wooden shelves displaying drinks, and patrons seated on bar stools. The decor features whitewashed walls and wooden floors. — *_{Concept rendering for a restaurant or bar. Courtesy Evident Architecture Office}*

Future apartment dwellers above this space will have access to a deck on top of the single-level storefront, according to conceptual designs for the property. Renderings show a mix of century-old live-over commercial design next to modern storefronts. People should anticipate plans to evolve as the BAM Collective secures tenants and works on remodel permits. However, the owners are determined to bring the building back to life and serve the public as soon as possible.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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Construction, Infrastructure October 29, 2026October 29, 2026

NE 72nd Drive Greenway Path Separation Extension

Crews working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) have begun setting concrete forms atop NE 72nd Drive’s road surface for a new raised median divider separating the southbound vehicular traffic from the multi-use path created in 2024 out of the northbound lane. Two years ago, cement masons formed raised concrete traffic separators and installed a gate at the southern entrance to a city street that cut through the Rose City Golf Course. This hardened infrastructure prevents northbound automotive travel on this street, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to use that lane away from motorists. However, the divider did not extend the length of the path.

Construction area on a curved road with traffic cones, warning signs, and wooden planks on the ground, surrounded by fallen leaves.

Construction for the new concrete separators began on Monday, October 26th, at the northern portion of the pathway where 72nd Drive connects to NE Sacramento Street. Although infrastructure was not required to prevent vehicles from entering the pathway at the northern edge of the golf course, the sharp turn onto NE 72nd Drive created a conflict point at the start of the roadway where cars could cross over the center line as cyclists and pedestrians gathered to join NE Sacramento Street. Additionally, cars parked on the shoulder could U-turn and mistakenly drive northbound on the path. These updates will narrow the bike and pedestrian path on the formerly bidirectional street and add signage to make it clear it is not intended for automotive traffic.

*_{Updated PBOT provided graphic showing the hatched striping that will replace one of the two concrete islands at the intersection of NE 72nd Dr and Sacramento St}*

Regular southbound motor vehicles travel on NE 72nd Drive will remain an option for drivers after construction completes. Engineers will replace one of the two planned concrete islands at the intersection of NE 72nd Drive and Sacramento Street with hatched striping. PBOT explained that the updated design will designate lane separations and slow turning movements for southbound motor vehicles while allowing larger trucks and vehicles wider turning movements.

Construction site on a road with traffic cones and barriers, fallen leaves on the ground, and two joggers in the background.

NE 72nd Drive is currently closed to all car traffic on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. as work continues. PBOT planners expect concrete island and separator construction to continue through November 13th, with new striping, signs, and thermoplastic legends added to the street in the latter half of November. Pedestrians and cyclists may pass through the construction zone. The NE 72nd Drive Greenway Enhancements project web page will offer additional information and updates.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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Construction, History, Infrastructure October 24, 2026October 24, 2026

NE Glisan Road Work Uncovers Streetcar Tracks

Just under several inches of NE Glisan Street asphalt lie the remnants of Portland’s once-extensive streetcar network. Crews working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) uncovered small sections of steel rails laid flush with red clay bricks where they will soon pour the concrete for pedestrian crossing median islands. Two of the three excavated areas, at NE 84th and NE 87th Avenues, sit above the single-track segment of the Glisan Street line that extended from the double track at NE 80th Avenue to the 90th Avenue terminus.

Map showing the routes of streetcar lines serving Montavilla, including the Glisan Street line and the Mount Tabor line, with street names and landmarks indicated. — _{Detail of a 1943 Trolley Map of Portland showing the two lines that once served Montavilla. At the top (marked MV) is the Glisan Street line, with its 80th Avenue spur and the extension to 90th Avenue. At the bottom is the Mount Tabor line (marked MT) extended to Yamhill and 88th. Source: Vintage Portland, May 4, 2010}

Construction site with caution tape and red barriers around a roadwork area, featuring a bicycle and pedestrian warning sign.

This summer, road crews began work on NE Glisan Street between NE 82nd and NE 92nd avenues. Post-repaving and painting, street users encountered new traffic patterns and slower speeds as re-striping teams added painted bike lanes and PBOT posted new 25 mph speed limit signs. Now, work on the Fixing Our Streets-funded NE Glisan Paving and Safety Project has moved to construction on two new enhanced pedestrian crossings and the expansion of existing infrastructure at another location.

A construction area with caution tape, traffic cones, and barriers, showing a partially dug-up brick path.

NE Glisan Street, from Interstate 205 to 82nd Avenue, is a notoriously challenging roadway to cross with vehicles driving quickly between the two points. Without any fully signalized intersections on this stretch, and with a large hill blocking visibility, it can take an extended period to find a safe break in traffic to cross. Crews working with PBOT will install two new pedestrian crossings with concrete median islands at NE 84th and 90th Avenues, along with enhancements to an existing crossing at NE 87th Avenue. These in-roadway waypoints allow pedestrians to cross in two phases, focusing on one direction of traffic at a time, and help drivers better see a person waiting at the high-visibility infrastructure.

A view of a street with two large chalk markings on the asphalt, indicating outlined areas. Vehicles are present in the background, and autumn foliage is visible along the roadside. — *_{NE Glisan looking east at NE 87th Ave where on asphalt islands will extend the crossing protection for cyclists}*

In many similar projects, crews dig below the road surface when creating median islands with cutouts at street level. This lets them build a stable platform that doesn’t require ramps or steps but stays protected by a raised curb. Often, crews build this on the crushed rock base below the asphalt top layers, but in this case it can sit atop the 1911-era Glisan Street rail extension brickwork. The NE 90th Avenue crossing does not have street rail under it, as NE Glisan was reconstructed here a decade ago to remove a railway crossing bridge that had been under the roadway.

Construction site with orange traffic cones, caution tape, and barriers surrounding a hole in the ground. — *_{NE Glisan at NE 90th Ave}*

Although existing track runs under Portland streets, like NE Glisan Street, it is likely impractical to reuse it for modern transportation. These tracks are no longer at street level, and exposing them would create a shallow trench down the street, making it hard for pedestrians and other vehicles to cross. The historic streetcar service ended for Montavilla and all of Portland in 1948, so these tracks were covered for decades and cut in places to run utility lines underground. Also, modern light rail equipment can be heavier than older rolling stock, so the track base may not support contemporary use. However, until cement masons return to these two crossings, people can look into the ground and see remnants of trolley legacy that sit just below the surface.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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Community, Construction, Government October 22, 2026October 22, 2026

1818 SE 82nd Shelter Opens After Delay

The Harrison Community Village at 1818 SE 82nd Avenue opened to residents on September 29th after months of unexpected delays. Multnomah County’s Homeless Service Department (HSD) and site operator Do Good Multnomah held a public preview of the newly completed sober-shelter site on April 24th, expecting residents to soon fill 38 shed-style sleeping quarters arranged on the property. However, issues with the vinyl plank flooring used by the pod-style housing manufacturer delayed intake operations as crews worked to repair the failing flooring adhesive.

Intersection of SE 82nd Ave with visible street sign and green trees in the background; containers are behind a black fence on the right side.

County spokesperson Julia Comnes explained that site operators observed vinyl plank flooring peeling up from the subfloor of the pods before the shelter opened and repairs required “several rounds before the flooring was ready.” Not all shelter pods are ready for habitation, as some units are still undergoing repairs. However, Do Good Multnomah is bringing people into the temporary housing ahead of the cold-weather season. “These delays were unfortunate,” remarked Comnes. “The fact is that pod-style shelters are still relatively new, and the industry is still testing and learning what build style and materials are best suited to this application in our local climate.”

Interior view of a small, empty room with a wooden floor, a single bed with a dark mattress, an air conditioning unit, and a window letting in natural light. — *_{LIT Homes produced 8-by-10.5-foot single room pod-style shelter with original flooring}*

The sleeping pods, made by Portland-based LIT Homes, offer an 8-by-10.5-foot room with heating and cooling. Wayne Watson explained that the flooring did not fail, but the glue that adhered it to the subfloor did not withstand prolonged disuse without environmental controls. He said that the units were delivered to the County in the beginning of 2026 and sat in the cold and heat for many months without climate controls. That prolonged disuse exceeded the adhesive rating as applied by the factory. “Can you imagine what would happen if you left a home without heating or cooling for seven months?” asked Watson. He said the units are delivered as fully assembled “volumetric” assemblies, ready to occupy as soon as they’re connected to power, and other customers have people moving in within days of delivery.

LIT Homes responded to the County’s concerns and reapplied the Luxury Vinyl Tiles with more adhesive. A small subset requires additional attention to restore the flooring to its delivered condition. County facilities staff and the project’s general contractor, Buildskape, are unsure what caused the flooring issue. However, after working with the subcontractor, LIT Homes, to resolve it, they say the County will replace the flooring altogether. “Given the ongoing issues, we’ve decided to replace the flooring with different materials in all of the units to avoid future challenges,” explained Comnes. The project team has no timeline for the replacement work. Still, they believe the materials are readily available, so the work should be completed quickly, and all guests currently on-site will be able to stay there throughout the replacement process.

Close-up of a metallic plaque on a structure, displaying the text 'LIT HOMES' and a serial number 'G1070-280-025', with yellow directional markings beneath. — *_{LIT Homes plate on one of the pod-style shelters}*

In addition to environmental controls, sleeping pod residents have a bed, light, and power for personal devices, but use other structures for sanitation and food preparation. Six converted shipping container units provide office space for staff, participant services, hygiene facilities, kitchenette amenities, and laundry facilities. Residents and their pets will have on-site access to modest green spaces.

Multnomah County purchased the former recreational vehicle dealership at 1818 SE 82nd Avenue in December 2022 for $2 million. The County bought this 34,000-square-foot parcel as the second Montavilla location for temporary shelter services. The other shelter, Oak Street Village at 333 SE 82nd Avenue, opened in February 2025 and is currently operating near full capacity. The Joint Office of Homeless Services—now renamed the Homeless Services Department—has held several community meetings, including one in February where the nonprofit Do Good Multnomah staff elaborated on the site’s sober shelter model that aims for people to stay onsite from 90 days to three months as they work towards stable housing in a recovery-supportive environment. Presenters explained that residents and staff are subject to drug testing, and policy strictly prohibits the possession of non-prescribed intoxicants on the property. Choosing a sober format meets the community’s stated desires for the county-owned site, which is near two Portland Public Schools. Do Good Multnomah conducts background checks on potential residents looking for past criminal history, and those with a record of abuse of vulnerable populations are directed to another, more appropriate shelter or resource. The site is also a weapons-free zone.

Row of small, modular housing units with metal siding under a clear blue sky.

Do Good Multnomah took control of the site at the end of construction in April to begin setting up the shelter with furniture, technology resources, and other move-in needs. On-site staffing remained limited in the following months because there were no residents. Contractors working with the HSD are paid on a cost-reimbursement basis. As a result, the County says Do Good Multnomah was paid only for reduced staffing at the site until the workforce increases to meet program participant needs.

The site is completely fenced, with a new chain-link barrier on three sides of the property using enhanced privacy slats installed in the fence. Unlike some other installations, these plastic inserts have side wings that better fill the gaps where the wire links connect, providing significant visual obstruction. Site designers also planted greenery along the SE Mill Street frontage to provide additional buffer between the newly updated sidewalk and the shelter space. Because of the visual obstructions, members of the public likely did not know Harrison Community Village was unoccupied this summer. Oak Street Village, north of this site, shows little activity even when fully occupied. If this location follows that pattern, few will notice changes as residents move in. However, people looking for a sober option as they transition to stable housing should be relieved that the Harrison Community Village is finally open.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Construction, Infrastructure October 18, 2026October 19, 2026

SE 92nd Traffic Calming

During October, crews working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) are installing Speed Cushions on SE 92nd Avenue from SE Yamhill to SE Clay Street near Berrydale Park and at SE Steele Street. These minor safety updates are part of the Safe Routes to School Program’s Traffic Calming efforts. The in-street elements have three channels built into them, which are spaced to let emergency vehicles pass through while encouraging other motorists to slow down.

A street view showing a road with yellow lane markings and directional arrows, surrounded by autumn foliage and residential houses. — *_{Speed Cushions on SE 92nd Ave south of SE Salmon St}*

SE 92nd is a relatively direct north-south connector from SE Stark Street down to Clackamas County, running parallel to the higher-capacity SE 82nd Avenue. Although it is an attractive alternative to the sometimes congested city streets or Interstate 205, this road runs past Clark Elementary School and several city parks. Some segments of the roadway also have painted bike lanes and are a recommended alternative for non-motorists trying to move quickly between neighborhood greenways designed for lower speeds and less motorized traffic.

View of a residential street with yellow lines, trees, and a grey house. There are parked cars and fall foliage visible. — *_{Speed Cushions on SE 92nd Ave south of SE Yamhill St}*

The speed-reducing tools PBOT is adding on SE 92nd Avenue are near places children tend to cross and should help improve street safety in the area. Drivers should use caution in these areas to prevent injury or excessive wear on their vehicles from going over Speed Cushions without slowing.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Construction, Infrastructure October 7, 2026October 6, 2026

New Substation Serving Montavilla and Gateway Mid 2027

Crews working with Pacific Power recently began significant construction on the Banfield Substation at 9380 NE Halsey Street. The power utility says the new distribution project will reduce the load on existing substations, creating greater stability for current customers and supporting increased demand from new developments in the Montavilla and Gateway areas. Project planners anticipate the new substation will come online by mid 2027.

Aerial view of a commercial area featuring warehouses and a vacant lot bordered in red. The nearby highway and streets are visible, along with various vehicles in transit. — *_{Portland Maps overhead view showing site outline and demolished buildings}*

Montavilla News reported on the proposed substation at the Interstate 84 adjacent site in 2022. PacifiCorp purchased the industrial property below freeway ramps and MAX light rail tracks at the end of 2017. Pacific Power, a division of PacifiCorp, provides electricity to Montavilla properties north of SE Stark Street, and its grid extends north to the Columbia River. In 2018, the power utility cleared all three metal-clad buildings from the site to make way for a power distribution substation. These facilities play a critical role in maintaining the local power grid as service demands increase, transforming voltage levels and managing the flow of electricity between power plants and customers.

Drew Marine, a Communications Specialist for Pacific Power, explained that this is not a replacement facility, but part of the company’s long-term plans to manage rising power demand while upgrading the existing power delivery network. “This is a new distribution project being built to relieve load growth on neighboring substations,” remarked Marine. “This project will also upgrade existing transmission lines, which will improve reliability for existing customers and create capacity for new customer requests in Northeast Portland.”

Construction site featuring heavy machinery, including bulldozers and excavators, with a white truck and a water tank in the background, under a highway overpass.

Energy experts predicted a jump in the region’s power demand as developers built new buildings with accommodations for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging. Construction volume has decreased from previous estimates; however, energy use continues to grow. Many builders rely entirely on electricity as they remove carbon-emitting natural gas appliances and heating systems, switching to heat pumps for heating and cooling. The increased power efficiency of new devices has somewhat limited the burden on the power grid. Still, increased air-conditioning use in more homes, for more of the year, requires more electricity than Portland historically used.

Pacific Power contractors are preparing the ground-level facilities on the site and staging the tall heavy-duty steel frameworks that will support high-voltage electrical equipment and overhead power lines. After years of planning, the Banfield Substation should be in service in mid-2027, well ahead of demand. Its location should reduce the impact of rising power usage from new construction and improve reliability for existing customers. Commuters by car and transit will soon see the site take shape as structures rise in this industrial section of the neighborhood.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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Community, Construction, Infrastructure October 2, 2026October 2, 2026

Solar Array on Bird Alliance 82nd Ave Property

Renewable energy specialists are installing a new solar panel array on the grassy, sloped southern edge of a former landfill along NE 82nd Avenue, now owned by Bird Alliance of Oregon. Once complete, the community solar array will reduce utility costs for 140 low-income Portlanders through a collaboration with APANO, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and other partners. The new energy source at 2800 NE 82nd Avenue uses the site’s topography to receive year-round sun exposure while staying low to the ground, making the installation less visible, particularly as the nonprofit continues habitat restoration on its 12.49-acre property purchased in 2024.

A field with tall grass in the foreground, featuring solar panels in the background, surrounded by trees under a clear sky. — *_{Top edge of solar array on Bird Alliance 82nd Ave property extending just above grass}*

Crews have placed over half of the solar panels on a metal gridwork that supports them. Most people passing the site will not see all of the units, which sit a few feet above the ground, with views blocked by the adjacent People’s Courts pickleball facility. However, they will contribute 800 kW of renewable energy to the grid. The array operators expect credits from the electricity generated at the site to reduce participant low-income households’ energy bills by up to 40%. Portland Pacific Power customers who directly pay their own utility bill and earn up to 80% of Oregon’s Median Income can apply to APANO’s community solar project as a low-income subscriber and potentially receive credits on their utility bill. The organization describes community solar as a way for people historically left out of traditional solar to benefit without buying their own solar panels. APANO also has a Residential Rooftop Solar program that uses Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) money to install solar panels for homeowners. That program launched to serve 14 homes, while this latest effort should support 140 power ratepayers.

Solar panels installed on a hillside, surrounded by trees and a chain-link fence, with graffiti on a wall in the foreground. — *_{Solar array on Bird Alliance 82nd Ave property seen from NE Russell St}*

This new activity follows habitat restoration and the demolition of long-abandoned structures. For decades, this overgrown field was known for the graffiti-covered remnants of a golf driving range built on top of a landfilled quarry. For most passersby, all they observed was an abandoned building at 2806 NE 82nd Avenue, situated next to a tall, grassy field. Hidden inside the overgrown brush was the collapsing structure of a half-moon driving range. Several fires in the former “Pro Shop” administrative building on NE 82nd Avenue complicated its demolition. However, in September 2025, crews completed removing this site’s golfing past.

PCEF supported construction of this community solar array across NE 82nd Avenue from McDaniel High School as its seventh community solar project. It is one of the first public benefits planned for the Bird Alliance of Oregon site, which will host nature trails and a wildlife hospital that should provide educational opportunities for area students. Work on the solar array is proceeding quickly and should be visibly complete within the coming weeks. More visible changes to the site will continue over the coming years.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Construction, Infrastructure September 23, 2026September 22, 2026

New Half Paved SE 89th Segment

Heavy equipment is on-site at SE 89th Avenue, north of Brooklyn Street, grading the former gravel road ahead of crews laying asphalt. This segment of city street was never paved in its over 100 years of existence, connecting to SE 90th Place. Now a 40-unit complex at 2905 SE 89th Avenue is nearing completion, and contractors with that project will create a modern street on the west side of the road with a sidewalk buffered by a curbside planting strip. The new curb will channel rainwater toward a low spot on the hill, where a recently installed stormwater inlet will collect rainwater from the paved street section.

Construction site with heavy machinery on a gravel road, surrounded by newly built residential buildings and trees.

The Jade apartments broke ground in January 2025 as a joint venture between APANO and Gorman & Company on a 1.1-acre property. The nearly complete building at the SE 89th Avenue site will offer affordable family apartments in a dual-courtyard configuration. Development at this scale in Portland requires builders to create sidewalks, stormwater management, and a paved road to city standards. This work often only extends to the center line of the street along the property’s frontage. However, the work underway now will pave 20 feet from the new curb towards the center of the road and extend about 100 feet north and south, widening to connect with existing pavement. Eric Jacobson with Gorman & Co. explained that the improved street will flare out to the full road width where it connects with the paved SE 89th Avenue at SE Brooklyn Street and SE 90th Place.

A gravel road with potholes and puddles, flanked by green and blue trash bins, leading to a residential area in the background. — *_{SE 89th Avenue gravel road with potholes looking north from Brooklyn St in 2025}*

Oregon Metro owns the property along the east side of the street in this area. It purchased the 1.46-acre property in July 2025 for planned Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). Community advocates have long envisioned the large Metro-owned property as a neighborhood park. Organizers will hold an open house on October 1st about community interests, including public green space in that development. That site’s redevelopment will include street paving and sidewalk frontage improvements on the east side of SE 89th Avenue with new sidewalks that should wrap around the corner lot along its frontage on SE 90th Place, which is paved but lacks curbs and sidewalks in most places in this area.

Construction site with a dug-up road, yellow caution tape, a fire hydrant, and construction equipment in the background. — *_{West sidewalk on SE 89th Ave looking south from existing sidewalk towards new sidewalk path}*

This month, cement masons working on the new curbs and pedestrian infrastructure will add six-foot-wide sidewalks on the west side of the street, adjacent to the Jade Apartment development, connecting to the existing sidewalk to the north. They have also created four-and-a-half-foot-wide planting strips for trees, greenery, and utility poles. Through-traffic along the SE 89th Avenue is blocked between SE Brooklyn Street and SE 90th Place. When completed, this will reconnect the city street grid with a paved north-south route that poor road conditions and large potholes often blocked. Although the street is only partially paved, it should still be wide enough for people to drive, walk, or bike along the mostly paved sections.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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Construction, Infrastructure September 2, 2026September 2, 2026

NE Glisan’s New Configuration and Speed Limit

This week, crews with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will continue road work that began on August 19 along NE Glisan Street between NE 82nd and NE 92nd avenues. Drivers in the area are encountering new traffic patterns and slower speeds as re-striping teams add painted bike lanes on completed segments of the project site and new signage arrives from NE 81st to NE 92nd Avenues. Workers have not restored all lane markings to the repaved half of the project site closest to NE 82nd Street. Road users should use extra caution until work is completed and anticipate delays during the 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday work schedule.

*_{New eastbound bike lane segment started on NE Glisan St near NE 83rd Ave (Jacob Loeb)}*

This Fixing Our Streets-funded project included substantial updates to sidewalk corner curb ramps, bringing crossings in this area up to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)- compliant standards. In addition to creating a smoother driving surface for vehicles, this new phase of work will reconfigure the street to remove time-shifting outer lanes used for parking or as an auxiliary travel lane. Collisions occurred on this street where motorists parked cars during allotted times, but drivers may have assumed the outer lane was clear. PBOT engineers anticipate that removing that conflict point will yield significant safety improvements with minimal impact on vehicle throughput.

In January 2021, crews posted new speed limit signs along NE Glisan Street east of 82nd Avenue, reducing top speeds from 35 mph to 30 mph. Then, in March 2024, PBOT lowered speed limits from 30 to 25 mph on NE Glisan Street between NE 57th and 82nd Avenues. Now, 25 mph speed limit signs have expanded eastward towards the Interstate 205 freeway. East- and west-traveling drivers will encounter new shared bike, bus, and right‑turn lanes as they approach NE 82nd Avenue.

The new NE Glisan bike lanes will connect NE 81st Avenue and NE 93rd Avenue. Early concepts for the cycling infrastructure showed the bike lane extending west to NE 80th. However, area business concerns over losing frequently used street parking on that block prompted a design that still helps connect side-street bike routes for people crossing NE 82nd Avenue outside a car, while minimizing impacts to adjacent commercial property users. PBOT planners anticipate further improving the bike infrastructure in 2030 with hardscape concrete dividers and flex posts to protect cyclists riding next to cars. The reconfiguration is happening during this repaving project to save money. Otherwise, contractors would need to grind off existing street markers and repaint as part of the 2030 work.

*_{NE Glisan St existing crossing at NE 87th Ave that crews will upgrade}*

NE Glisan Street, from Interstate 205 to 82nd Avenue, is a notoriously challenging roadway to cross with vehicles driving quickly between the two points. Without any fully signalized intersections on this stretch and with a large hill blocking visibility, it can take an extended period to find a safe break in traffic to cross. Crews working with PBOT will install two new pedestrian crossings with concrete median islands at NE 84th and 90th avenues, along with enhancements to an existing crossing at NE 87th Avenue. These in-roadway waypoints allow pedestrians to cross in two phases, focusing on one direction of traffic at a time, and help drivers better see a person waiting at the high-visibility infrastructure.

In the coming days, crews will grind down the eastern segment of the roadway and lay a fresh road surface. Cyclists should consider safer routes until NE Glisan is fully re-striped, and all street users should plan extra travel time as people adjust to the new configuration and speed limits on this segment of NE Glisan.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Construction, Food and Drink August 24, 2026August 23, 2026

Stark St Burger King Remodel as Brand Returns to #2 Spot

In 2025, Burger King set out to remodel 400 of its U.S. restaurants as part of a multi-year plan to modernize its franchise network. Those efforts may soon include the Mall 205-adjacent fast-food location at 10010 SE Stark Street, where Land Use Review 26-056462 seeks to update the location inside and out. All this comes as CNBC reports the brand recently overtook Wendy’s as the nation’s second-largest burger chain.

Exterior view of a Burger King restaurant with a metal roof and large windows, surrounded by a parking lot and greenery.

Wendy’s has reportedly experienced several straight quarters of U.S. sales losses while Burger King has worked to rehabilitate its image and earn back customers. This comeback is attributed in part to property investments and the hiring of head chef Amy Alarcon, who previously worked at Popeyes, designing that company’s chicken sandwich, which went viral on social media in 2019. The company also began courting vegetarian and vegan customers in 2019 with the plant-based WHOPPER ® burger made with Impossible meat, which customers can order without mayonnaise and have cooked on a separate surface to remove animal products.

Burger King is predominantly a franchise chain, with this location operated by Ambrosia QSR and the underlying property owned by Weston Investment Co. Portland businessman and developer Joseph Weston recently donated his remaining commercial properties to the Weston Public Foundation managed by Oregon Community Foundation. The franchise operator, Ambrosia QSR, operates over 200 Pacific Northwest restaurants under the Burger King, Arby’s, and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen brands. An Arby’s is next door to this location at 10071 SE Washington Street.

Investment in this area has rebounded among fast food establishments over the last few years, with the opening of a new Chick-fil-A a block over from the Burger King in January and Chipotle replacing a Baja Fresh storefront in 2024 across SE Washington Street from this location. City code allows renovation work at these pre-existing fast-food locations despite the area’s new zoning. City officials up-zoned much of the land in the Gateway Regional Center in the late 1990s, making this block Central Commercial (CX) which is designated for high-density commercial developments within Portland’s most urban spaces like the downtown area. If this were a completely new building project, the team would need to construct a much larger building to meet minimum density standards.

Exterior view of a Burger King restaurant with a red and blue roof, located alongside a road, surrounded by trees and utility poles.

The remodel approach should also allow this store to retain its drive-through facility. A 2018 Portland City Council-enacted ban on new drive-throughs in commercial zones has prompted many existing Eastside restaurant locations to remodel. The pre-existing status has elevated the location’s value, as businesses seek to retain historical uses that would not be allowed under new building standards. This project is in the early planning stages and may change based on city feedback or other business decisions. However, it represents further investment in the Mall 205 area among fast food and established national brands.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Neighborhood news site focused on buildings and changing businesses

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