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Anthony on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsI-5 problems are not the fault of walmart
I-5 problems are the fault of Portland smart growth politics.
If I-5 was WIDENED to 8 or 10 lanes like most modern freeways there wouldn't be much of a problem.
Posted: Jun 8, 2006 6:33:34 PM
Publius on Tram Life Cycle Cost AnalysisThe voice of the public majority was ignored in greenlighting the Tram.
The subsequent quadrupling of construction costs has never been explained, merely renegotiated with OHSU.
We are afraid the construction budget fiasco will be repeated in the operating, maintenance, and safety costs. This WILL adversely impact future general fund budgets.
If we build a white elephant, we have to feed it and shelter it.
Posted: Jun 8, 2006 12:38:57 PM
Valerie Godfrey on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsI have lived on Hayden Island on and off since 1974. Each year the traffic problem has increasingly become unbearable. I am not against businesses coming to Hayden Island, but what about the increase of traffic it will bring? We have 1 way on and 1 way off? What about the crime element? We are now serviced by NE Precinct and during rush hours, there is a delay in response time. How is this going to be addressed when the "crime element" is raised? Is there support for a sub station on Hayden Island? I just cannot help feel that the value of our homes is going to decrease with this element being in our area. Hayden Island used to be a very desireable location, we used to have all the amenities to not have to leave the island for other services if we chose to, that is not the case now. We are already dealing with long waits on 1-5 just to be able to get on and off the island, I cannot see WalMart being a "benefit" to us at all!
Posted: Jun 8, 2006 12:22:43 PM
Leland on Reuse or Recylce the Tower of PowerI think it's a great idea to give the tower a second life. Too often in our society, we hastily discard objects that have served their purpose only to have future generations mourn their loss. How would Portlanders feel if past leaders had decided to replace the Hawthorne Bridge? The tower may not be on the same level of historical heritage as a our bridges, but we need to remember that what one person considers "ugly", another finds beautiful.
Posted: Jun 8, 2006 10:40:46 AM
kevin on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsWal-Mart is the unfriendliest of neighbors. They put smaller retailers out of business using low quality, low cost products and pay empoloyees low wages. In addition, they develop real estate in a unsustainable manner.
I don't want Wal-Mart in my city and am glad to see a city commissioner stand for the values I hold.
Posted: Jun 8, 2006 9:39:10 AM
nathan on Reuse or Recylce the Tower of PowerMy vote is for saving the tower - though I agree that the stained glass idea may not be the best option.
In a city with limited history (we are only 150 years old after all) I believe its important to keep the history we actually have.
The wind turbine or solar panel ideas would be great...although I'd rather stay away from advertising. I say make it functional and beautiful!
Btw, Adron, I don't get the connection between cannabis and Sams idea. Care to explain that one?
Posted: Jun 8, 2006 5:04:03 AM
nathan on Reuse or Recylce the Tower of PowerMy vote is for saving the tower - though I agree that the stained glass idea may not be the best option.
In a city with limited history (we are only 150 years old after all) I believe its important to keep the history we actually have.
The wind turbine or solar panel ideas would be great...although I'd rather stay away from advertising. I say make it functional and beautiful!
Btw, Adron, I don't get the connection between cannabis and Sams idea. Care to explain that one?
Posted: Jun 8, 2006 5:01:51 AM
Gecko on BLOG: "I would like to believe we have nothing to hide..."Why are you hiding the true Life Cycle Costs on the Tram's complete operating budget?
Why is there still no update on the FHWA Airspace Lease?
Posted: Jun 8, 2006 3:05:00 AM
Gecko on Tram Life Cycle Cost AnalysisHaven't you heard, G?
Our Tram will never get stranded because we have multiple redundancies and superior technology.
Plus, the Portland Fire Bureau has been practicing their repelling, and they say the can handle it.
Posted: Jun 7, 2006 11:38:00 PM
Dean Grudzinski on BLOG: "I am the product of subsidized, affordable housing..."Mr. Adams would you cre to exsplain to the people of Portland why you helped chge Portlands Comp Plan so that it doesnt even comply with Metros plan for the state let alone for infill for the city! It was on your watch that Portlands Comp Plan for S.W. Portland waqs changed thus elininating over 14,000 acres out of Portlands Comp Plan! Lets see 14,000 acres inside the UGB with (Metros Plan calls for 4.5 lots per acre but with your help Portlands Comp Plan was changed to less than 2 lots per acre inside the UGB and the city of Portland) thats a net loss of aprox 3900 buildable lots of 10,000 sq ft (this is twice the size of you average lot in the City.
Come to think of it this Backdoor deal happened in 2001 Anyone remember getting notices saying WE ARE Taking your neighborhood out of Merto and Portland Comp Plan to save FISH BECAUSE FISH ARE MORE IMPORTANTE THAN FAMILIES AND KIDS? (come to think of it 5 years would be preschool).
Posted: Jun 7, 2006 11:13:56 PM
G Laubaugh on Tram Life Cycle Cost AnalysisOne very huge expense and very careful part of planning the MAX tunnel under the West Hills had to do with emergency escape routes. What is the emergency access plan for the OHSU tram? The four+ hour evacuation of one passenger at a time witnessed at the recent Roosevelt Island Tram breakdown doesn't seem like a particularly well thought out escape system.
Posted: Jun 7, 2006 11:05:49 PM
Gecko on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsChina's export driven industrialization was necessary because of inadequate domestic demand, a labor glut, and the potential for a peasant uprising if they failed to produce economic growth and job creation. Blame Nixon if you must, but don't blame Wal-Mart.
This mercantilist growth strategy was orchestrated by Chinese Bureaucrats and the People's Liberation Army, NOT by Wal-Mart.
The United States recognized early that constructive engagement of the Chinese (aka: show them the benefits of mercantilism) would succeed where diplomacy had failed.
"It is to the advantage, and not to the disadvantage of other nations when any nation becomes stable and prosperous, able to keep the peace within its own borders, and strong enough not to invite aggression from without. We heartily hope for the progress of China, and so far as by peaceable and legitimate means we are able we will do our part toward furthering that progress."
U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt speaking to Chinese representative Tong Shaoyi, December 1908
We import lots of inexpensive manufactured goods, and export increasing quantities of our expensive capital goods (ask Boeing!), with the trade imbalance being increased by grey market knock-offs (Chinese pirating of intellectual property) and decreased by their purchase of Treasury Bonds. In the new mercantilism, they buy our bonds instead of Gold. That could change.
Target, Costco, May Company, and REI all have plenty of products Made in China, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras. None of which are bastions of environmental regulations, the "rights" of organized labor, or guaranteed career tracks for their highest performing laborers.
Wal-Mart imports more than their competitors because they are so much bigger than their competitors, and because they (like Costco) won't carry a product if they can't be the low cost retailer of that product.
Your bias against Wal-Mart is uninformed and misguided.
Posted: Jun 7, 2006 10:35:01 PM
David Meltzer on Downtown to Gain Retail CzarDowntown has lost much of its appeal. It's an abundance of homeless or runaway street kids and their dogs begging for change on every block. It's prime retail spaces on highly visible corners that sit empty for years. It's multiple vacancies in the "crown jewel" of downtown retail, Pioneer Place I and II. It's third rate stores moving in, while the Pearl, Bridgeport, and Tanasbourne get the premier stores. The Macy's remodel will help, though I would have liked that to have been Bloomingdales, with the relatively nearby Lloyd Center store remaining Macy's. Downtown is going downhill fast. To say "well, it's in better shape than many other cities", is just not good enough anymore.
Posted: Jun 7, 2006 5:59:48 PM
jami on BLOG: "I would like to believe we have nothing to hide..."what's striking is the sheer ineptitude of the agent. why did he think approaching someone he didn't know and asking her to spy on her co-workers would work?
Posted: Jun 7, 2006 3:57:09 PM
jami on Reuse or Recylce the Tower of Powerit would be cool if an artist wants to do it for free with donated materials. but i don't think city resources should go into it.
Posted: Jun 7, 2006 3:53:34 PM
Roland on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsWal-Mart led the way in outsourcing production to China, and quickly set up a business model that other franchises had to follow or choose to go out of business.
Blaming the unions is simply laughable. Not only did they fight to keep jobs in America, but they basically rolled over to management demands on pay and benefit stagnation in an effort to keep their jobs when outsourcing became the dominant business model. Employers, despite being quite profitable, saw even larger profit margins over the horizon and gutted the social contract that bound America together since the New Deal and WWII.
The federal government, Clinton, Bush, and congressional Republicans do all deserve a measure of the blame, I will accede. But what the government did was unlock the door to China. They set up the potential opportunity to move production overseas. Wal-Mart ran through it, and dragged the rest of the US economy there with it.
Posted: Jun 7, 2006 2:55:36 PM
Larry on Tram Life Cycle Cost Analysis"...paying more for an independent contractor to conduct an analysis of the lifecycle costs seems to me to have minimal benefit and cost too much to have any real merit."
Roland, c'mon buddy, are you kidding me? Outside, independent analysis of a project that has spiraled out of control and that has resulted in some SERIOUS loss of confidence in city officials would have "minimal benefit" and no "real merit"???
That might be one of the most ill-advised statements I've heard out of a Portland city employee.
Sam, please tell me you don't agree with that statement.
That's like a business with back tax problems saying they see no reason to hire a tax professional - they'll just continue doing their taxes themselves.
And if it turns out that you have to revise your LCC analysis because land, staff time, and debt service (among other items) were left out, the resulting increased "loss of face" will probably make you wish you spent a few thousand bucks to get it done independently.
Posted: Jun 7, 2006 12:54:39 PM
Alice on "...Portland says it's not liable for cost overruns..."What's the status of the FHWA Airspace Lease?
Posted: Jun 7, 2006 11:49:20 AM
Terry Parker on Tram Life Cycle Cost Analysis50 years seems like a very short period of time for such a large expenditure. Will fares be accurately priced so that users actually cover the costs for this short period of operation? What happen 2056? Will the tram be replaced with another heavily subsidized and modernized replacement mode? Will one of the tram gondolas be placed on the top of Council Crest as an exhibit of the past like was done with Council Crest trolley car after discontinuing operations in 1949? (The trolley car was removed several years later after much vandalism) Will the other gondola be given or sold to a non-profit group for a club house also like one of the Council Crest trolley cars that became a Boy Scout clubhouse?
If the 50 year life cycle had been publicly aired prior to the decision being made to build the tram, maybe this expensive boondoggle would not have gone forward.
Posted: Jun 7, 2006 10:16:11 AM
Steve Schopp on Tram Life Cycle Cost AnalysisPete Kohler may have recklessly endangered OHSU's fiscal stability right along with the PDC risking the city's.
His commitment of OHSU millions every year for decades towards this boondoggle Tram will hobble funding for all of their core missions.
OHSU employees should probably be up in arms.
Well, not the doctors.
The first SoWa OHSU building is owned by the OHSU doctors group, a 501c3, will pay no business taxes, no property taxes and no TriMet taxes. It will house doctors offices, a clinic, a health club, administration offices and "some research space."
All of which could have been acquired without the insane Tram.
But, it's not just the Tram.
The city is also providing the streets and other infrastructure as they poor millions into SoWa. The 1999 SoWa plan called for $288 million in projects and another $160 million in debt service over the first 20 years with millions more needed to retire the debt and to cover cost overruns.
It may be that the debt service itself is a much larger cost overrun than the Tram or the rest of the project overruns.
If the 1999 plan did not assume rising interest rates it may be that debt service is well on it's way to doubling.
ALL of which will be paid for decades with property taxes desperately needed by basic services general fund budgets.
That's why it is important to maintain updated and complete budgets.
Putting a happy face on this is no substitution for prudent management.
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 10:26:35 PM
Gecko on Reuse or Recylce the Tower of PowerCity Owned bungee jumping!
If we are able to assume skate park liability, why not a city owned bungee jumping tower?
Or, we could auction if off on Ebay, zoned for advertising (no human occupancy allowed).
The stained glass idea was a joke, right?
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 10:19:08 PM
Gecko on Tram Life Cycle Cost AnalysisNick:
OHSU isn't a business; it's a non-profit teaching hospital. If you're a shill, you should know that already (turn to page 2).
Please say you don't care about the rate at which health care costs are growing in the United States, because you want the best health care that money can buy! If you can drive the best, drive a Cadillac.
The 85% of Tram expenses covered by OHSU, plus the art, leather furniture, rare hardwoods (IN A HOSPITAL!!!) are all OPTIONS that increase the sticker price on your health care Caddy.
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 10:07:58 PM
Steve Schopp on Tram Life Cycle Cost AnalysisI and may other people would like to know what's going on here.
Did Commissioner Sam instruct Roland to post this reason why a professional life cycle cost was not prepared?
Has Mr. Barnard ever prepared a project life cycle cost before?
Who instructed Mr. Barnard to exclude debt service and other fundamental costs?
Who told Mr. Barnard what to include?
Was there an earlier draft or two?
Who Ok'd the final draft?
Did Mr. Barnard use professional Life Cycle cost estimating software or any other helpful means?
Is Mr. Barnard free to openly discuss his estimate?
Can Mr. Barnard be interviewed by a local journalist?
Can Commissioner Adams office obtain the full life cycle debt service costs?
If a professional company is willing to complete a thorough and complete full life cycle cost for a nominal fee will the city pay for it?
Will it take months to get
any more basic information?
Who keeps track of money spent on SoWa?
Where can one get a list of all SoWa payments to date with names or recipients and what the payment was for?
How many other projects in SoWa are over budget?
What is the current estimated budget overrun?
Where is a genuine SoWa budget to be found?
What is the current TIF interest rate the city is paying? What rate was used in the original 1999 SoWa plan estimates?
Should the city answer these question?
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 10:01:13 PM
Dorsha Unkow on Top 5 Chronic Problem PropertiesI have lived at my home here in NorthEast Portland since 1994. At that time I had the house just north of me doing auto repair and salvage work from 5PM to 5AM for 18 months. All hours of the night people coming and going while complained to the City and Police. It was apparent that the City of Portland wants you to move into these undesirable places to bring the community standards up without help from the City of Portland. Finally we called the Mayors of and spoke with someone and complained about all the spying we were doing for the Police while the Police did nothing to assure our safety. Because of the call to the Mayors office we got a positive response an officer arrived at the house just north of ours and handed them a letter. We found out that the letter was "get rid of adult person who is violating the city code or the city will take your house. Recently while my wife and I were in Boston attending our girls graduation our neighbor came over to tell my son while he was having a party that they would appreciate if your father would not call the Police when they are in the back of thier house 3825 NE 11th smoking marijuana. Today they are back performing auto repair in the street these people have no respect for the law and the neighborhood. I call the Police and I get lip service, as if they are protecting the law breakers. People who obay the law have no rights in the city of Portland. So let me say all this bull about community policing and task force is just to waste the tax payers money.
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 9:58:36 PM
nick on Tram Life Cycle Cost Analysis90% will never use???
Now come on, OSHU needs to grow. Pill hill cannot hold any more growth. If OHSU is still going to provide the STATE with a world-renound public health facility, we need to keep in mind that the cost of the tram will work it's way back to us in the growth of OHSU.
If anyone who rides the 35 bus knows, the #8 to OHSU goes through every 5 minutes, not to mention the traffic jam every day at 5. These people need alternative ways to get to one of the largest employers in the state.
OHSU's contribution to the quality of life in Portland cannot be forgotten. What business would pick-up the % that OHSU has put in for a public transportation system???
Tram is great. I agree those who argue the cost are nit-picking and not seeing the benifit to the state and metro area.
~n
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 9:40:01 PM
Adron on Reuse or Recylce the Tower of PowerSam?
Did you smoke a lot of pot as a child?
Come on dude, get on the train, this idea reeks of bad reefer.
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 9:39:41 PM
Adron on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight Beginsmykle
Nobody I have seen on this blog, and I've seen them all over the place are these "paid cronies" of Wal-Mart that you talk about. These are people that are simply calling reality like it is.
Wal-Mart isn't going away and they have far more supporters than dissenters. Most people realize what they do and do not bring to a community. The market will dictate whether they need to change not a few whiney and petty fusses from a few people here and there. Portland is about the only place that has a change against Wal-Mart, and it's still a long shot because what they do is generally LEGAL.
Chris McMullen
Wow Chris, that is freaking harsh. Censorship. :| I read it because Chris does a fairly decent job of keeping up with the transportation news of the area. I however dissent with MANY of his stances on things. Such as I love the streetcar, light rail, and a few other things, but I detest the socialist attitude behind their funding and backing. But alas the direction of America is slowly to shun it's own greatness in favor of European style meanderings.
truth hurts
What you wrote was rather trite. Chris made his point rather well. Yours however is wrothy of not much more than a glance.
umpire
We're doing that because that is how we must to provide for humanity. You wanna be the bloke to kill off about 3 billion people so we can all be agrarian again?
Chris
...and in all humor I must reply, Chris excellent idea. We should start on the big hole immediately!!
Roland
"Fourth, yes, all of the goods Wal-Mart buys in China aren't produced in America anymore. WHY? Because Wal-Mart PRESSURED AMERICAN SUPPLIERS TO MOVE PRODUCTION TO CHINA! Give me a break!"
This is pure stupidity. Wal-Mart didn't do it, our high standard of living made us producing the junk that is sold at Wal-Mart impossible in economic terms. Thank your unions, thank your "I won't do that nasty job" people, thank your Government, thank all those people. Businesses attempt to do one thing, stay in business and do well. That means staying competitive. When it costs $10.00 in labor to build a toy that has a sell point of $5.00 bucks you HAVE to look for other places to build it.
Duh. Don't blame Wal-Mart, that's like saying we need to cut our oil and then walking out and getting in an SUV to go home. stupid stupid stupid stupid.
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 9:35:42 PM
Adron on Tram Life Cycle Cost Analysis15% of the tab that probably 90% of Portlanders will NEVER use. EVER.
Sad sad sad. Requisition money from people and then spend it on something they don't need.
Don't get me wrong I support the tram, but not at the cost to those that will never use it. It benifits the 5000 or so that "might" live in the south waterfront and it might last 50 years.
I would NEVER take money from taxpayers for such a contrivance. :(
Besides, I spoke to someone recently, and in fact, Portland is getting screwed. I don't know what the deal is, but aerial trams don't cost fifty million plus to build. They just don't. Someone has screwed the design and financing.
Maybe they're fired by now? Who knows.
blagh.
Who is John Galt?
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 9:02:44 PM
Alice on Tram Life Cycle Cost AnalysisA member of Sam Adam's staff actually wrote that it "costs too much" to conduct an independent analysis of the lifecycle costs?
On the Tram that quadrupled in constructions costs from the first City Council approved "we'll fix it later" budget?
Ironic, isn't it? Can I open a tab, bartender.
Awwww, who cares anyway. The taxpayer's of Portland are just picking up 15% of the tab. Another round of drinks for everybody (two for Homer)!
Nice work, boys.
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 8:56:21 PM
Roland on Tram Life Cycle Cost AnalysisAn independent analysis might be "more credible," but it would also make it more expensive.
We had an independent audit for the sake of credibility re: the construction costs (at a time when they were still increasing and ambiguous), but at this point, paying more for an independent contractor to conduct an analysis of the lifecycle costs seems to me to have minimal benefit and cost too much to have any real merit.
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 7:35:38 PM
Eric Berg on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsFYI: About 20 percent of Costco workers are union.
Here's something from Business Week in 2005. I can't imagine any Wal-Mart executive saying anything like this:
"Strong union representation isn’t the only reason Costco jobs are so well compensated; the company itself has an unusually forward-looking corporate philosophy.
Costco CEO Jim Senegal has said: “We pay much better than Wal-Mart. That’s not altruism. It’s good business.”
Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti explained: “From day one, we’ve run the company with the philosophy that if we pay better than average, provide a salary people can live on, have a positive environment and good benefits, we’ll be able to hire better people, they’ll stay longer and be more efficient.”"
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 6:43:03 PM
Mr. Magoo on Tram Life Cycle Cost AnalysisFifty years?? What is the basis for this estimated life of the tram? Is this based on actual experience elsewhere, or just a guess?
Also - isn't there a lot that's been left out of this analysis? Interest? Land? City Staff time? What else is not in this "life cycle cost analysis"?
Why not get an independent analysis? Wouldn't it make the anser more credible?
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 6:30:17 PM
Bob R. on Tram Life Cycle Cost AnalysisTJ -
Although I am somewhat supportive of the tram, and anyone who has followed recent threads around here knows that I am not a friend of the "nit pickers", I find your post lacking.
For starters, we are already paying "twice the price", more than twice, in fact.
I consider myself a proud progressive, and I for one do not consider large cost overruns in excess of 100% of the original project estimates to be "progressive thinking".
The _idea_ of the tram, to me, is great. (Others strongly disagree on that point!) The implementation of the project, especially the budgeting process, has been, shall we say, less than laudable.
I believe the project should proceed, having come this far, but the problems that the public process and budget process of the tram have highlighted jeopardize other future "progressive" public infrastructure projects.
- Bob R.
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 6:08:35 PM
Steve on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsRoland
"since the people who benefit the most are in Bentonville, Arkansas" - You forget to mention the thousands of people who freely choose to shop at WalMart because it is cheaper.
"many corporations do pay well and provide career opportunities" - WalMart offers entry-level jobs and they promote people who are good workers. If these people were not working at WalMart they would either be unemployed or at a mom-n-pop with the same wages and a lot less opportunity for advancement.
all of the goods Wal-Mart buys in China - OK, let's walk thru CostCo, FredMeyers and a lot of other retailers and tell me that the origin of their goods is not Chinese.
Sorry, people in City Hall do not work in the real world and realize what it takes to survive. You will go out of your way to keep a WalMart out, but cannot bring in a family-wage job as an alternative.
This is what I meant by Mr Adams collateral damage with his campaign. I know people in the retail space who are afraid to come to Portland because the can't offer high wage and benefit jobs.
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 5:17:27 PM
jim karlock on Tram Life Cycle Cost Analysis TJ: Portlanders ought to stop picking nits with this tram. It's a great idea, it is progressive thinking, and a bargain at twice the price.
JK:Yeah! Great at twice the $65 per ride!!!
TJ: Stop thinking small, Portland is doing a great job making a great City. Keep up the good work!
JK: Waste like that makes the pentagon look like a bargan.
Thanks
JK
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 5:08:56 PM
TJ on Tram Life Cycle Cost AnalysisPortlanders ought to stop picking nits with this tram. It's a great idea, it is progressive thinking, and a bargain at twice the price.
Stop thinking small, Portland is doing a great job making a great City.
Keep up the good work!
Former Oregonian in SoCal.
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 4:55:52 PM
paul on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsRoland,
As you're aware, the Starbucks reference was quite specific. Misinformed anti-corporate rhetoric was used to justify such action against the Starbucks at 20th and Division. Is Starbucks a better corporate citizen that WalMart? Of course they are. But your posted statement made no such distinction; you simply demonized all corporate CEOs as "fat cats."
I don't know what the economic alternatives are for WalMart employees nor what sort of upwards mobility is experienced by WalMart employees, so I cannot comment on that. I simply wanted to make the general point that blindly celebrating "small business" over corporations is short-sighted.
I don't agree with your fourth and "lastly" points. What precisely are you claiming? That America's economic future lies in the manufacture of cheap textiles? Cheap plastic toys? Cheap electronics?
The decline of much of America's manufacturing base preceded the emergence of WalMart. It is a consequence of a globalized economy and the fall of trade barriers as a result of NAFTA, GATT, etc. Perhaps you are an opponent of neo-liberalism and free trade policies. But you cannot place the blame on WalMart for what has constituted the core of American foreign economic policy for the past half century. WalMart is just the most efficient (some would say cutthroat) at taking advantage of these changes.
It seems to me the clear implication of your last posting is that there is no such thing as comparative advantage. True?
Finally, on the postings. What I said is that most of the urban studies deal with social services, not with the impact on local businesses. If I recall (I reviewed these six months ago), most of the latter were based on rural areas. I could be wrong, but I don't want to base my economic projections about WalMart in Portland based on studies of WalMart in rural Pennsylvania.
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 12:07:20 PM
Roland Chlapowski on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight Beginspaul,
While I will accede to some of the issues you raised in your last post, I have to call BS on a few of your points.
First, I will admit to using rhetoric, but this is a political debate, and frankly, I think that liberals have let the rightwingers spew their misinformation and inflamatory vitriol unchallenged for far too long. If someone calls me elitist or anti-poor, I will call them on that, because that's a lie. And since the people who benefit the most are in Bentonville, Arkansas, not the low-wage workers who get squeezed by Wal-mart, feel justified in my statements.
Second, talking about firebombing a Starbucks is unfair because it implicitly links my talk about using legal avenues to keep a bad corporate citizen from moving into Portland with the violent and illegal destruction of property. Talk about rhetoric devises!
Third, while it is true that many corporations do pay well and provide career opportunities, surely you are not implying that is the case with Wal-Mart. Because if you are, you and I disagree about what "career opportunities" are and what "good pay" is.
Fourth, yes, all of the goods Wal-Mart buys in China aren't produced in America anymore. WHY? Because Wal-Mart PRESSURED AMERICAN SUPPLIERS TO MOVE PRODUCTION TO CHINA! Give me a break! They single-handedly gutted a large part of America's industrial manufacturing base. And just because they might be done gutting it does not mean that they should not be held responsible for doing so.
Fifth, your characterization of the studies I've posted as being all rural is just untrue. The include Chicago, LA, Santa Ana, Metro-Boston, and other urban places. I have some more that are not posted, if you'd like me to email them to you.
Lastly, your contention that America's future is in high-wage, high-skill work is an outdated and largely discredited notion. I remember when everyone was going to be a computer programmer, but that was before we sent those jobs to India. I remember when higher skill medical jobs were the future for American workers, but now we send out X-rays and blood tests and other things for analysis in India and other low-wage countries who, due to massive population alone, are due to produce far more educated workers than America has any chance of creating.
White collar jobs are increasingly being exported, so the much vaunted mantra of "education is the key" doesn't hold true. Anything that can be sent through a wire can be outsourced. And a lot of services, high-skill services, fit that description. You should read an article in last month's Foreign Affairs by respected economist Alan S. Blinder called "Offshoring: The Next Industrial Revolution?" - in it, he outlines how "constant improvements in technology and global communications virtually guarantee that the future will bring much more offshoring of 'impersonal services' -- that is, services that can be delivered electronically over long distances with little or no degradation in quality." The "America will just get the better jobs" mantra is totally hollow.
And, it also worth mentioning that America is losing its edge in higher education as foreign enrollment decreases in American universities (as it has steadily after 9/11) and more top-notch higher ed institutions open abroad in China and elsewhere with the support of developing country governments itching to move up the ladder in the global economy.
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 11:47:29 AM
MarkDaMan on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsI actually agree with Terry up until he tries to indict the city. I think affordable housing would be awesome at that former hotel. With a waterfront park, additional bus service, and a reconfiguration of the guest rooms into apartments, that site could offer Portland families excellent housing options for an affordable price. Possibly part of the hotel could be used to help Commissioner Sten's '10 years to end homelessness plan' too.
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 11:42:07 AM
Steve Schopp on Tram Life Cycle Cost AnalysisYes,
Where is the debt service and the rest of the documentation?
The design competion, land dedicated to the Tram, etc???
How did you get to the 50 life span?
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 10:43:33 AM
Alice on Tram Life Cycle Cost AnalysisOnly $46k/year for alternative service?
How many days of "tram down time" does that cover?
Why is there no provision for liability insurance and no cost of financing?
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 10:23:30 AM
Bob R. on Tram Life Cycle Cost AnalysisMr. Barnard -
Thank you for posting this information.
Can you also provide the latest ridership projections? What service hours and service frequency does the operating contract provide?
One aspect of the debate about the tram has involved the question of which alternative modes (electric trolleybus, conventional bus, tunnel/elevator, etc.) might have also served this purpose.
Now that the costs are known, it might be interesting for some folks to calculate and compare per-rider costs and per-passenger-mile costs, etc. for various modes.
Thanks again,
Bob R.
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 10:04:59 AM
Felipe on What works in Work/Live?Live/Work is a slippery slope. I previously lived in NYC and SF before moving to Portland. I am a native born Oregonian. And I am a fine artist. Live/Work zoning in NYC forced most artists out of their SOHO, Chelsea, and East Village spaces and will soon do the same in Brooklyn and Harlem. In San Francisco Live/Work zoning litteraly changed the face of the SOMA and 3rd street corridor and I have yet to know an artist who lives in a Live/Work unless they were wealthy and an artist second. It seems to me as though the Live/Work is used as a loophole by developers and the wealthy to return to the urban corridor with the results being gentrefication and a removal of the diverse community and the artists who were living there in the first place. If any city could pull off a Live/Work zoning that benifited artists, the community, as well as commerece. I have faith that it could be Portland. However I do become nervous when I hear the phrase Live/Work thrown around without a clear vision or clarification.
Posted: Jun 6, 2006 6:08:35 AM
Kip Larson on Reuse or Recylce the Tower of PowerIs this tower located on Ross Island Sand & Gravel or City property? If it was included within the land grant that RIS&G returned to Portland, could they not be partly liable for demo/refurb costs?
Posted: Jun 5, 2006 8:40:33 PM
Terry Parker on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsIf Wal-Mart does not move in and build on the former Red Lion Hotel property, rather than ripping it down PDC style and zoning the property for high end condos with a private marina, maybe the now empty hotel could be converted into low income housing that would include a public riverfront park with some discount shopping opportunities nearby. Why should rich people have all the views and the only access to the river? JK said it all when he said: “I really believe this city discriminates against the low income.”
Posted: Jun 5, 2006 3:14:53 PM
Sam Arneson on What works in Work/Live?I've noticed that the Alberta street area has made a positive change in direction due to the creative community and it's supporters. It seems that this area could be further developed to model communities like the Brewery in L.A., possibly artists appartments or bungalos with a shared workshop or recording facility.
there is so much talent and creative spirit in Portland that it seems it would benefit the community and the economy to organize it.
Posted: Jun 5, 2006 1:14:20 PM
Greg on The City should extend its equal benefits lawI love it... whenever somebody suggests that same sex couples should be treated equally to opposite sex couples, there is always at least one person in the crowd who argues the slippery slope of either polygamy or bestiality.
Marriage is no longer simply a matter between two individuals and their religion. For the past couple of centuries, marriage has evolved into a legal contract of explicit and implicit rights and responsibilities that is enforced and recognized by the state.
One simply needs to look to Las Vegas to see how marriage has evolved from what it once was. "Sanctity", as a battle cry, lost legitimacy the day that you could be married to somebody you met two hours earlier by a guy dressed up to look like Elvis while sitting in your car at a drive up window.
If marriage is a matter of religion (like a baptism or confirmation) then the government has no place getting involved. In fact, the Second Amendment of the Constitution specifically bans any law respecting an establishment of religion. You'll never find the government passing a law making a baptism illegitimate.
If marriage is a contract, then the government has no right to only recognize the contracts between opposite sex couples. The purpose of the government should be enforcing and arbitrating the contract. The only time the government should have a role in invalidating a marriage is when it involves a minor or somebody of clearly limited mental capacity. Basically anybody who is unable to understand the decision of entering into a contract. Any other argument is fascism dressed up in the disguise of "Family Values".
By the way, to be clear: I love capitalism. I believe that in a free market, it is up to the individual company to decide whether or not they want to offer health coverage at all, let alone to the spouse of an employee. Companies should be allowed to discriminate on any basis including gender, sexual orientation, race, eye color, city of birth, how many fingers you have on your right hand, your middle name... take your pick of random characteristics.
Here is the "but"... but, when we are using taxpayer money by hiring contractors, arbitrary discrimination must not be allowed. The government must choose to do business only with companies that do not practice discrimination. Taxes are taken by force. As a citizen I don't have a choice to withhold paying taxes. (And gay citizens pay more than a pro rata share of taxes since they are denied the tax benefits that come from marriage). It is abhorrent to have a government that turns around and spends that money on companies that discriminate against gays and gay couples.
Posted: Jun 5, 2006 12:20:18 PM
Virginia on June 1st Thursday--City Hall Celebrates PrideThank you, Portland City Hall, for featuring the Gay and Lesbian art show.
To blog posters Issac and "Mr. Marvel" I can only say
'Oh, that it were true!"
Take a look at what our President is proposing this very day - a nation wide enforcement of banning civil rights for gay and lesbian citizens. As Sen. Kennedy said:
"A vote for this amendment is a vote for bigotry pure and simple!"
So, for now we are indeed apart from our fellow citizens, a minority hated and feared by many. Do we need "pride"?
You bet we do
Virginia
Posted: Jun 5, 2006 11:51:18 AM
Rob W on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsCommissioner Adams,
I am 100% in agreement with you on Walmart. I am not sure what property is planned for the Walmart, but the hotel there is prime waterfront land, with a beautiful river view, a perfect spot for condos, especially if there was a marina there. Keep up the good work conecting with local businesses.
Posted: Jun 5, 2006 10:50:10 AM
Stacee Wion on Downtown to Gain Retail CzarWhen I think of downtown I think of drugs, mental illness and depression. This is not a place to come hang out, let alone spend money.
What Portland needs is a central meeting place "alive" with local commerce and community interaction.
I'm not sure there's immediate hope for the bus mall location. Not sure I'd limit my thinking to 5th and 6th as "downtown."
The Galleria space is dead and screaming to be transformed into a public market spot. Something like seattles Pike's Market minus the water. But this space would be even cooler! Upright floors of fresh produce, local goods, cafés and other commerce. The center of that sinking ship should be busted wide open to floors and floor of people--interacting, buying, socializing, living and supporting our awesome city!
Portland can do better than this! Robert Putnam of Harvard University calls Portlnad the most "civically engaged" city in all of America. He uses our city globally as a model to inspire others! Use this. Build on this. Think outside the box damnit and build something spectacular!
Make it another green building! Whatever. Just use what this town is known for and build upon it. Move! We have one of the most innovative towns in America. Keep the momentum going!
Posted: Jun 3, 2006 9:54:50 PM
Jason B. on BLOG: "I would like to believe we have nothing to hide..."I'm the guy that went to the City Budget Hearing on May 11th and said (on the record) something to the effect of 'people tell me what they watched on TV last night... I tell them I told the city council that the Bush Administration should be impeached for Treason.' Had I realized this FBI thing happened earlier the same day, I wouldn't have said that at all (I could tell by the look on a few people's faces that I was hitting too close to home - after this was announced, I know why). However, this incident just highlights the reasons for what I said.
Sam, you're the best Commissioner I never voted for, Tom is the best mayor I never voted for; and I wholeheartedly applaud the City's efforts on this matter.
(I would have posted something like this on Tom Potter's page, but decided not to, due to the overwhelming amounts of spam and posts trying to change the subject - even more so than here.)
Posted: Jun 3, 2006 1:27:03 PM
Brett Miller on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsI appreciate your comments on ethical capitalism - very well stated.
Posted: Jun 3, 2006 9:32:00 AM
Gecko on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsLW:
Those old fashioned ideas like "compliance with the law" or "make up our minds based on the facts" don't matter here. We're Portland. We know what's good for you.
In this case, Sam knows Wal-Mart is bad. It's bad so long as it's within the City Limits of Portland. Sam is going to protect you from things that are bad, and make you do things that are good (like riding Tri-Met, and using your tax dollars to subsidize the Tram and Luxury Condos).
Say it out loud with me: Tram GOOD....Wal-Mart BAD.
LUXURY CONDOS GOOOOD....Wal-Mart BAAAAD.
Light Rail GOOOOD....Wal-Mart Baaaaad.
Bad, Wal-Mart, BAD! BAD! BAD!
BAD, Low-Prices....BAD! BAD! BAD!
Posted: Jun 3, 2006 7:22:48 AM
Rick on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsAs a resident of Hayden Island, I strongly oppose siting a Wal-Mart at the Doubletree location. The Island's roads already exceed capacity at rush hour and weekends, causing lengthy delays getting to or from home. Portland and Oregon would be stuck with paying for the road improvements as well as additional law enforcement. As the Orgonian reported earlier this month, the Wal-Marts in the 'Couv are Magnets for Criminal Activity which will spill over into our neighborhoods. We would need a permanent police presence on the Island to maintain an acceptable response time to the crimes that Wal-Mart will generate. Island residents and Portanders in general would get little or no benefit from this store(we have no sales tax, rember)while they end up paying the costs. I see mainly Washington residents who want to evade their own state taxes shopping there. Its not just about Wal-Mart, either. A Costco, WinCo, or Best Buy would be equally unacceptable at this location.
Posted: Jun 3, 2006 12:39:16 AM
lw on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsHow do bloggers feel about a public officials, Commissioner Sam Adams and his aid Roland lobbying for an outcome on a landuse issue before they are the ones to decide the fate of the landuse issue before Portland's city council. From my understanding it doesn't meet city and state laws. The evidence needs to be heard on a case basis.
Posted: Jun 3, 2006 12:34:40 AM
Doug K on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsI thought I heard that one of the locations being considered for a new bridge adjacent to the Interstate Bridge was just west of it, from one abandoned hotel site to another underused one. How does the Walmart proposal affect this? Will it be another Deitrich vs. transportation battle?
Posted: Jun 3, 2006 12:24:45 AM
Randy Leonard on June 1st Thursday--City Hall Celebrates PrideI appreciated the theme of last nights "First Thursday".
Sam conceived of the First Thursday art celebrations and I have looked forward to and thoroughly enjoyed each one.
We have had First Thursday art themes that have displayed a variety of themes and cultures since this event began shortly after Sam arrived at city hall.
I love the fascinating and colorful citizens that come to city hall for these events. These are citizens that have told me over and over that they never would have imagined coming into city hall were it not for our First Thursday celebrations.
Thank you Sam and thank you to the artists that display their art in the various commissioner's offices at city hall.
Posted: Jun 3, 2006 12:03:59 AM
PamS on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsHow can we/or who will bring on the apposal for the Cedar Mills Wal-Mart. We need to nip this one in the bud.
Posted: Jun 2, 2006 9:00:15 PM
Gecko on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsHow about:
WHY HAS THIS HOTEL HAS BEEN VACANT FOR YEARS? WELCOME TO OREGON!
Posted: Jun 2, 2006 6:25:09 PM
Chris on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsIt's time for our lawmakers to come up with progressive ideas that really make sense.
In the spirit of Boston's tunnel project, the Big Dig, along with Portland's current water project, the Big Pipe, I'd like to propose:
The Big Hole
As you may have guessed, the depth of the Big Hole would be roughly equivalent to the height of proposed WalMart. The massive excavation would lead to new jobs and since most poor people know how to dig, the Big Hole would help mitigate poverty. Public works projects like these would certainly have FDR twitching around in his grave with unbridled enthusiasm.
Go to it, Sam!
Chris
Posted: Jun 2, 2006 4:41:39 PM
MarkDaMan on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight Begins^so instead of making a bad situation worse, why doesn't the city come up with a comprehensive plan for the island? Or for the dog track area for that matter, tons of boxes going up over there too!
Posted: Jun 2, 2006 3:47:21 PM
Javier O Sanchez on Brownfield Investment Fund Receives $500,000As a concerned community member and dedicated voter who likes applauding great efforts (as well as a good scratch around my ears), I'm very excited to see Commissioner's Adams office tackling the issue of Brownfields. I'm anxious to see the city make the $$$ available for other stakeholders in the community, other than property owners.
With that said, I was hoping for a little clarity on the 'additional' item from Ms Thi Mai, specifically the City of Portland's Brownfields Redevelopment proposal to NPS and Groundwork USA. I was told that it is a coalition effort comprised of community based groups and diverse stakeholders (including the City of Portland Brownfield Program) who applied for the NPS grant, with a focus on community-led priorities with Sam's office supporting the community-led effort.
I volunteer for an environmental justice group here in Portland, OPAL, who address the prevalence of idle sites and brownfields in our most vulnerable and neglected communities, and who is one of the groups leading this brownfield redevelopment effort and proposal. I think OPAL, as well as the other great groups in the coalition who worked hard to organize tours and generate interest in the proposal, would be upset to hear their work couched as a proposal from Sam's office.
thanks again,
Javier O. Sanchez
Southeast Portland
Posted: Jun 2, 2006 3:33:01 PM
john prentice on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsJosh,
You CAN see it now. "Hooters: welcome to Oregon." "Home Depot: Welcome to Oregon". "Crappy mall: welcome to Oregon."
Yes, a busy WalMart sure would be worse.
Posted: Jun 2, 2006 2:32:48 PM
Josh - Kenton Resident on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsI can see it now... Driving down I-5 from Washington to Oregon... Then a big sign to the right reads "Wal-Mart Welcomes You to Oregon!".
I really hope this never happens.
Posted: Jun 2, 2006 11:51:19 AM
umpire on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsI think everyone misses the point here. We are overconsuming this planet to death. How many more items of clothing, pairs of shoes, knick knacks for the house, etc. do any of us really need? Most every item sold in all of these gigantious stores is made overseas - thus requiring carbon-based fuels to bring them to the US, then ferry them to a distribution center, then truck them to a store. Then we all hop in our cars to buy something. Then the purchased item sits in our closets for most of its remaining life.
If we purchased less stuff that we will rarely wear or use, we could afford to shop American-made, though likely more expensive items. We would not contribute to massive trade deficits, pay more interest on our credit cards (with more and more financing done by Middle Eastern countries and thier billions of oil profits), and spend every waking hour working to pay for all of this crap. It's time people started to make connections about their purchasing.
Posted: Jun 2, 2006 11:44:39 AM
truth hurts on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsWaah, Waah, Waah!
"People won't let us dominate their blogs! That's censorship!"
If you guys just got a life and stopped posting your redundant and inane posts OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN, you wouldn't be barred from the discussion.
Find a little humility and listen to what other people have to say. Don't squeeze others out of the conversation. Don't dominate the discussion. Don't be jerks.
Surely, you must have some better things to do that sit around and post your same comments 5 times a day!
Get over it. Blogs are supposed to be a forum for a broad-based and democratic discussion. When it is not broad-based, I think that those who run the blogs have the right and obligation to keep the discourse flowing by filtering the redundancy and vitriol out.
Stop your crying. And your posting. We get your stupid points.
Posted: Jun 2, 2006 11:11:29 AM
truth hurts on June 1st Thursday--City Hall Celebrates Pridemmmarvel,
Pffft! You are so full of it.
First off, I should let you know that while I believe that the KKK is deplorable, I would fight for their right to free speech.
Second off, comparing the gay community to the KKK is a stretch. Last I checked, the gay community hasn't engaged in systematic violence against others in a way that is ideologically driven.
Third off, comparing me to someone who has sex with sheep or pigs is insulting. Who do you think you are? Who do you think I am? I am a human being who has loving consensual relations with a fellow human being. And being gay is just a part of my identity - one, by the way, that is reinforced when people like you try to minimize my love for my partner by comparing it to sex with an animal. That is exactly the wrong way to try to minimize differences, because it makes me want to fight for my rights as a self-identified queer man even harder.
And it is easy to say forget about the past when you are advantaged by it. Not all of us are that lucky.
Posted: Jun 2, 2006 10:57:34 AM
Chris McMullen on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsWrong Bob. Myself and other were permanently banned and it was -not- for "personal attacks and uncivil discourse."
Here's the actual post from Chris Smith, Bob:
July 26, 2005
"While my democratic (small 'd') instincts have held sway to date and comments have been completing unregulated, it has become clear to me that the persistent and vocal participation of anti-transit folks has come to dominate the site, despite polite requests to respect the purpose of the site.
I fear that this is driving away the very people that Portland Transport was constructed to bring together. Accordingly, for at least the next several weeks I am banning the most vocal of the critics, not because I don't want criticism, but because I want the community to have a chance to come together as was intended."
Chris Smith couldn't stand the heat, so he banned those who disagreed with him. And I'm still unable to post there.
Quit trying to justify Portland Transport's exclusionary nature, Bob.
Posted: Jun 2, 2006 10:50:40 AM
Bob R. on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsChris McMullen wrote: "Don't bother posting there Terry, they ban anyone with a dissenting opinion."
That is demonstrably untrue. There is a strict policy against personal attacks and uncivil discourse, but there are a number of people with dissenting opinions who post there, several of whom you would recognize from here.
- Bob R.
Posted: Jun 2, 2006 10:34:46 AM
Chris McMullen on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight Begins"...I also will look at the Portland Transport blog"
Don't bother posting there Terry, they ban anyone with a dissenting opinion.
It is fun to laugh at how clueless Rex Burkolder is, though.
Posted: Jun 2, 2006 10:17:26 AM
Bob R. on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsTerry, thank you for taking my remarks in the spirit in which they were intended.
- Bob R.
Posted: Jun 2, 2006 9:13:44 AM
Terry Parker on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsBob R,
I accept your comments as constructive criticism. I made the statement because I have too often seen JPAC and associated committees “torpedo” projects (using your word) that would benefit motorists and reduce congestion, while approving projects that do the opposite. An example of this would be narrowing motor vehicle travel lanes to a less than safe width for the purpose of accommodating wider sidewalks or bike lanes.
I also will look at the Portland Transport blog. This is the first I have heard of it. Thanks for your comments.
Posted: Jun 2, 2006 8:38:59 AM
love the island on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsWe have a beautiful location in the middle of the Columbia River. Anyone who wants to build here and has riverfront land should be required to allow public access.If walmart is allowd to build here, the river side should be beautiful and usefull to the public. A park would be good trade off, if we are stuck with the thing
It should not be the ugly solid wall of a big box building facing the river
Posted: Jun 2, 2006 8:10:24 AM
Carl B. on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsHey Sam!
My wife and I are also behind you completely in the fight against Metro!
We're in agreement with everyone that the region just can't take the increased traffic on a daily basis. There's no need to do something stupid by letting Metro continue creating endless traffic jams getting to and from everywhere in the region. We all love living here, so much that we put up with the worsening traffic for years, but Metro planning will kill this place.
Don't let Metro plan any more!
I'll do what I can to help.
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 11:15:43 PM
Nelson on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsHey Sam!
My wife and I are also behind you completely in the fight against WalMart!
We're in agreement with everyone that the Island just can't take the increased traffic on a daily basis. There's no need to do something stupid by letting WalMart come here and create endless traffic jams getting to and from the Island. We all love living out here on Hayden Island, so much that we put up with the traffic at Christmas time, but WalMart traffic on the Island year round would kill this place.
Don't let WalMart come to Hayden Island!!
I'll do what I can to help.
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 11:07:21 PM
mykle on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsAll these "friends of the poor" and "friends of Wal-Mart labor" are missing the fact that Wal-Mart's decimation of American comercial viability over the last several decades is the cause of a lot of that poverty!
Shopping at Wal-Mart doesn't help anybody but the Walton family -- the richest family in the world, while their employees are on food stamps. They won't stop until nobody in America can afford *not* to shop there.
BTW, you've probably noticed that Wal-Mart now pays spin-control consultants to pose as concerned citizens in forums like these ... part of their new charm offensive. That whole fighting-walmart-equals-racism post smacks of that sort of subterfuge. Don't let 'em fool you. Go Sam!
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 9:09:53 PM
Bob R. on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsTerry -
You make a good argument for a multi-modal bridge connecting Hayden Island to mainland Oregon, but then you torpedo yourself with the quote "Therefore, it is highly unlikely any sensible option would come out of the committee that would include a major improvement for motorists, even if it does save taxpayers money over the long haul."
It may be true that this is your belief, but it doesn't do any good to push your positive argument with stakeholders while simultaneously declaring you don't trust them at all to do the right thing. (You could have declared, for example, that you do not agree with their past decisions but that such a project would restore your confidence in their priorities. This is both straightforward and positive.)
For what it is worth, almost all of the persons who have discussed Hayden Island issues over at the Portland Transport blog have done so in the context of a bridge that accommodates auto trips... It does not make sense to force local trips to the island to use the freeway, and adds unnecessary freeway congestion for what is basically a one or two exit trip.
- Bob R.
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 9:09:50 PM
Terry Parker on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsSam,
In respones to your comment: “I will push consideration of an extension to Hayden Island in the next Lightrail expansion package to Milwaukie.”
Milwaukie aside, the greater need for Hayden Island is a pair of connector bridges to both Oregon and Washington that motorists can use. If you think Max light rail alone will resolve the issue, then so can the City providing everybody a jet pack to cross over the slough.
The sensible and most cost effective solution would by to build a four lane local connector motor vehicle bridge across the slough with one lane in each direction shared with light rail. The shared construction cost efficiencies of combining a light rail project and a road improvement project such as took place when the first light rail line was built at the same time the Banfield Freeway was widened has not since been duplicated in the Portland area. Building a combined and shared right-of way bridge would be setting a renewed example that government can occasionally do things both right and efficiently. However, as JK noted, both you and Rex sit on the committee that select which options to pursue. Therefore, it is highly unlikely any sensible option would come out of the committee that would include a major improvement for motorists, even if it does save taxpayers money over the long haul. Most of so-called local street and road improvement projects funded by motorist paid gas taxes only create more congestion. One of the best examples of that being the proliferation and expense of construction curb extensions. Cars are here to stay, and with new and dense development, more are coming. It is long overdue that stakeholder motorists have representation within the selection process.
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 8:02:56 PM
Bob R. on June 1st Thursday--City Hall Celebrates PrideIsaac -
No one took your words away from you. You are as free as anybody else to attach the word "pride" to anything you want.
The reason that so many people now refer to these events, which occur nation wide, as just "pride" is because of a number of factors, none of them intentionally sinister.
These celebrations try to be very inclusive of many distinct, but related, sexual minority groups. You either wind up with long acronyms like "GLBT pride", people who object to the term used, such as "queer pride" (see above).
It's just a natural linguistic phenomenon for these events to just be referred to shorthand as "pride", and "pride season" (most of these events happen in the summer months). Until someone comes up with a better name that sticks, momentum will keep it going.
Going back in history, "pride" was chosen as part of the name of these celebrations specifically to counter the notion that being gay was at best a sickness, or at worst sinful/criminal/predatory/deadly. Many individuals had suffered genuine abuse as a result of being different, and having an open, positive event served a dual purpose of personal self-realization and public protest.
- Bob R.
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 5:38:42 PM
Isaac on June 1st Thursday--City Hall Celebrates PrideThe only problem I have with this is that they say it's celebrating pride. If they'd have said they were celebrating "gay pride" or "queer pride" or whatever word people like these days that'd be fine. It's like saying we're gonna hold a beer festival but we're only serving MGD. I just don't like the idea that pride has become synonymous with homosexuality. Pride means a lot more than just that. I still want my words back.
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 5:03:35 PM
red faced on June 1st Thursday--City Hall Celebrates PrideI am proud to be a City employee, mother, sister, friend, peer, artist, and a lesbian, among other things, but I feel personally offended by the term "QUEER".
Diversity is emphasized here at the City and encouraged. I feel it is a step back by using this term. I don't think I am being old fashioned about this at all.
Queer is associated with words like odd, unusual, abnormal, peculiar, strange, etc. I thought we (LGBT community) were trying to abolish that stereotype? Why should we call ourselves that?
As an openly lesbian person in my office, I have had a lot of people that I work with come ask me about the email received for this art show. There was a lot of concern that they were overreacting or being overly sensitive to the word "queer", and asked how I felt about it.
It's nice to see from this blog, that I am not the only one who is shocked and appalled!
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 4:59:02 PM
Matthew on June 1st Thursday--City Hall Celebrates PrideWith the City's emphasis on the acceptance of cultural diversity, since when did the word "queer" become acceptable for City employee use?
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 4:33:30 PM
Gecko on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsLet's make Wal-Mart give an electric lawnmower to every Portland Homeowner!
That way, we can all breathe easier knowing that Wal-Mart was singled out and forced to do something that benefits the entire city.
In lieu of property taxes, let's make Hooters give buffalo wing coupons to all Portland Citizens.
Taco Bell? FREE CHALUPAS!
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 4:28:26 PM
JAS on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsIt was a sad day when Hooters took over the Waddles site, but we weren't given the chance to protest that one. I will join you on the street to protest a Wal-Mart at Hayden Island, or anywhere else in Multnomah County. Thanks.
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 3:26:57 PM
Mary Davis on Reuse or Recylce the Tower of PowerIf the tower is too fragile for wind generation, can it be used safely for anything else? A training/climbing tower for rescue teams?
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 3:15:05 PM
Jerry on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsMarkDeMan: It is amazing that you subscribe to the notion that WalMart can move to Hayden Island if they pay for all the traffic improvements, but you don't apply this same logic to North Macadam and it's needed traffic improvements.
The cost figures for NM for traffic improvements to accommodate Homer and Co. is over $300M. But there are no fed/state funds and of course the developers are not paying for the improvements to handle the extra 48,000 vehicle trips per day-far exceeding WalMart traffic.
Lets be consistent, and play the PDC/City of Portland game fairly.
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 2:54:52 PM
paul on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsRoland,
Cool down the rhetoric. If you want to fight for the wealthy corporations and fat cat CEOs that run them, fine - but don't pretend you are a populist! Ok, but don't pretend you are using careful economic analysis when you post such a statement, because large corporations (as a category) provide good jobs, good benefits, and a career path for workers, something that many small businesses do not. A vibrant Portland economy needs both small businesses and large corporations, but i see little progress in attracting the latter.
But we have no lack of anti-corporate rhetoric. Anyone up for fire bombing a Starbucks?
Anti US worker? You know as well as I do that the products that WalMart purchases in China are not now, nor will ever again, be manufactured in the US. Cheap textiles, electronics, and other consumer goods are going to shift to low wage, low cost countries. Our future is in financial services, higher education, and high skill/high wage industries.
Sam,
Your definition of North Portland is apparently a whole lot larger than my own. You are willing to include all of North Portland in your discussion of the economic impact of a WalMart? I don't find that credible.
Yes, we disagree on the impact that increased traffic would have on other Hayden Island businesses. I'd like to hear from THOSE business men and women. Boaters World? They don't sell competing products and would benefit. A specialized hobby store? Same thing.
I think we have to look at what sort of mix of retail we have in Jantzen Beach,and what the future holds for that area. But I don't see you doing that, Sam, what I see is an immediate opposition to one particular retailer, based on what selective reading of the evidence.
I've read thru the studies that Roland has posted previously, and as I noted, virtually all of them studied the impact of a large WalMart in small rural communities. Very few studies focus on the retailer's impact in an already vibrant urban area (except those that study wage and social services).
And I ask again: what about the Walmart at 82nd and Holgate? Good or bad? Because everything I have heard about the area before WalMart arrived indicates that Walmart had a positive impact on the surrounding area.
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 2:34:33 PM
JustMe on June 1st Thursday--City Hall Celebrates PrideThanx for setting time aside each month to recognize diversity and other important aoccasions.
Reference "Queer"...I am the token gay guy here at work and I am 58 years old (even though I do not look it), so maybe it is an age/generation thing, but what does "Queer" mean relative to today's First Thursday celebrations? My office is shocked at use of the word--equating it to the revulsion we all feel when hearing the "N" word--and are asking me to explain it and I can't. We all know about Lesbian, Gay and so forth, but is "Queer" a sub-set, or what?
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 2:04:26 PM
Rich H on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsFirst off, to Barbara Nelson: A park? Did you make Target build you a park? Cricuit City? Toys R Us? Is it a business' responsibility to provide you with recreation simply because of their location? Gee...there is a Safeway near my house...so I guess I should ask them to fence my backyard and add a swingset for my kids.
Second, if you are going to "make" them pay for the stupid MAX to go to Jantzen and on to Vancouver, then everyone that benefits from that should have to pay also. Ring up Target, Circuit City and all the retailers there. Not just Wal-Mart.
Finally...for Sam, when I said name 5 retailers in Jantzen Beach "mall" i meant off the top of your head. Not go out to the webiste and cut and paste the list. I am in that "mall" for the food court once a week and with the exception of Radio Shack and Knotty Wood I couldn't name another. Don't make this fight about them, make it about the best possible utilization for un-used property.
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 1:25:08 PM
LW on June 1st Thursday--City Hall Celebrates PrideLast I looked the gay community was not and is not preaching hate or intolerance for their ethnic neighbors. Unlike your example of the KKK or animal abusers. The gay community is not asking for special rights. We ask for "equal" rights! The Pride parade isn't something the city of Portland just gave the gay community. It is something the gay community thought up organized and paid money to the city of Portland for permits. The parade isn't to be "in your face". It's a chance for our whole community to gather and have some fun. Like any other festival held in Portland or across our the country everyone is invited. No one is excluded unless they are threating harm to another. I think you'll find that to be the case at any one of the other festivals in Portland. Have you ever been to a "gay" function and been treated badly? Or is it you are just uncomfortable around OPENLY gay people? Because I can assure you you deal with us unknowingly everyday. You write that you would not be allowed to display your art work at the gay art show. Do you think I could show my art work at an Italian art show beings how I am not Italian? My question to you is what are you so afraid of? Why do you feel so threatened?
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 11:34:16 AM
Tracy on Reuse or Recylce the Tower of PowerStained glass? Is this an idea from a stained glass salesman? Or an idea from stained glass artist looking for a commission? The tower is ugly...it's old ugly steel...sell it for scrap.
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 11:25:26 AM
adron on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsIt's funny. After reading all of the comments this is basically the socialist approach to things. They create an environment where the poor are pushed farther and farther out without creating an environment where they can increase their standard of living (like suburban development does) and at the same time the inner city begins to Gentrify.
Personally, if I have to choose between suburban wasteland where those poor people can increase their standard of living and Portland gentrified inner city with desolate and poor suburbs I'll choose the gentrified Portland.
I'd prefer free-market capitalism run it's course, but it's long been dead in America. Then you'd end up with suburbs where people can fight to increase their standard of living AND a genrified inner core!! :o imagine that!
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 11:22:30 AM
adron on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight Begins"This again? Walmart is the epitome of corporate greed and exclusion. Yay! Low prices. Yay! Low paying jobs for unskilled/educated workers. Yay! for products manufactured with child labor."
Which the majority of Americans have supported over and over and over again.
I digress though.
Let em' build on Hayden Island/Jantzen beach, but with the following criteria.
1. They have to build the remainder of the yellow line to the island and then hand it over to Tri-Met to operate. (Of course they could do it for less but I doubt the Union would allow it. :( )
2. State simply that if they come into the area they need to meet basic employment standards. i.e. Minimum wage, basic health care coverage. If PDX peepz ask Wal-Mart will likely do it.
The sad thing about all this is Wal-Mart has garnered such a bad rep among lefties that no matter what they do it won't be right. They've been condemned and no matter their proposals I'm worried that they're the next target of being destroyed by this cry of not fair.
Even though they don't meet these arbritrary requirements they do employ more people than any company (in the world I believe) in America.
But I digress, like I said, lay out specs, tell em' they have to build a certain way, play (employ) a certain way, and tell em' they have to build the logistical infrastructure to their store or they don't get to come into the playground. I don't see why it is so hard to lay out some simple ground rules like that.
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 11:15:20 AM
Eugene Rogers on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsNow that Wall-Mart on Hayden Island has become a reality lets stop bickering and get to work. HINooN members please come to our June 8, 2006 meeting at 12050 N Jantzen Ave. 7:00 pm and put your wants and ideas on record.
so the Land use Committee will have something to work with.
Eugene Rogers Chair: HINooN
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 11:09:45 AM
Terry Parker on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsI disagree with Tom Ryan’s comments that Hayden Island is a horrible location for a Wal-Mart store given the number of big box retailers that already are located at the Jantzen Beach Shopping Center. If Wal-Mart brings more customers to the island, it should help the other struggling retailers too. Tom's comments do however demonstrate the immediate need for a local connector bridge to an island that is currently only served by Interstate 5. Building local connector bridges to both Oregon and Washington should take precedence over any other Columbia crossing alternative.
JK: I agree with your comments related to income, however, because a large portion of Wal-Mart’s customer base in Portland is Hispanic, opposing a new Wal-Mart store in the Portland Metro Area is also about race, even if that is not the intent of the opposition.
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 11:05:21 AM
Paul Edgar on UPDATED: The Case AgAainst Wal-MartThis is not the right location to put a Wal-Mart store in the Portland area. I may not like Wal-Mart because of my preceived feeling on their negative effect on family and small businesses. Put that to the side and only look at the I-5 corridor and the incendents of travel that would result with a Wal-Mart in one of the most congested corridors in the whole NW let alone Portland. The congestion is currently killing the people and businesses caught in the I-5 corridor. This stifling congestion has added too and made this section of the I-5 the 3rd worse air quality zone in the nation. There are NO plans a foot to solve this problem. A plan to replace the Interstate Bridges will make the corridor even worse of a problem by bringing more traffic into this congested corridor. If we were to end up with a Wal-Mart at Hayden Island/Janzen Beach with only the I-5 Corridor as its only access route WOW!
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 10:59:12 AM
MarkDaMan on June 1st Thursday--City Hall Celebrates Pride"the entire reason that you have the parade highlights a difference between me and you"
hmmm, I think you'd be surprised at who I really am. If I had walked past you on the street, you wouldn't know I'm gay. When I dine with my partner, you wouldn't suspect we were 'together' or going on 6 years. This isn't to higlight that I'm different, it is that I am the same as you. An American, a human, and good hearted person, a piece of our community.
Marvel, there are some great opportunities for you in the upcoming month to really understand the gay and lesbian community. Yes, we have a community but I have never seen any person discriminate against heterosexuals at our functions. My father, a heterosexual male, routinely attends the events in the community. He has always been welcome and has always felt welcome. In fact, he nags me a few weeks before the AIDS walk and PRIDE, he tells me that he never feels more comfortable in any other group, including his LDS chapel on Sunday. It is too bad that you think a parade is an in your face protest. It isn't. There are groups with politcal messages, there are also shops, community groups, PFLAG supporters and city leaders coming together to enjoy one another's company.
"Do you think I feel welcome to this 'gay' art show?"
I'm not sure Marvel, but if you would like, I'd be happy to accompany you this evening to go see it. It is open to everyone.
Art doesn't always have to be nice or pretty, and sometime it can be downright uncomfortable, or disgusting. If the KKK puts on a show in DT Portland, that is their choice. It is also the choice of the people to go see it, go protest it, or counter it with another show in another location.
I don't know the qualifications for showing art in city hall, but I'm sure Mr. Adams would probably love to let you know the procedure.
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 10:28:51 AM
Barbara Nelson on UPDATED: Yes, Wal-Mart is Eyeing Hayden Island for New Store Location: Our Fight BeginsI will keep my comments short as possible.
I shop at Walmart about once a month.
I live on a floating home on jantzen Beach.
I do not want Walmart here.
But if they win------- they should be required to build a PARK ON THE RIVER SIDE WITH REST ROOMS, PLAYGROUND, PARKING AND THEIR FOOD SERVICE. the island could use a place like this so we canenjoy the river. They should also provide a fund for lonf term upkeep of the park. at least 3 or 4 acreas of the available space shouls becme a park
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 10:05:12 AM
M'Lou on UPDATED: The Case AgAainst Wal-MartThanks for the great compilation of facts & sources, Roland. I hope you can help us* move Metro's policy advisory committee to action pronto!
* = residents of various communities in the region pushing for legislative action vs the negative impacts of big box retailers--not Wal-Mart per se.
Posted: Jun 1, 2006 10:03:04 AM
