2 • The Southwest Portland Post
EDITORIAL
May 2017
Are developers ruining Multnomah Village? Neighbors’ complaints go unheeded
COMMENTARY
By Erik Vidstrand
The Southwest Portland Post
If the Apri l m e e t i n g o f t h e
Multnomah Neighborhood
Association had a theme, it would
be called “Developers Ruining
Multnomah Village!”
According to many, if not all
members of the association, these
developers have been given the green
light from the city for their various
infill projects.
At the same time, they create
havoc on infrastructure and road
destruction, and test neighbors’
patience from complaints that go
unheeded.
Covering this community for almost
five years, this reporter witnessed an
immediate transformation while
walking to the recent monthly
meeting.
On one street, yet another infill
project has begun with dump trucks
lining up, pulling dirt away and
blocking the small street. Three town
homes are planned.
At the end of this same street,
a medical-recreational marijuana
dispensary has a permit to open.
Construction workers were busy
on the roof but oblivious to the major
potholes on the road directly in front
of the future business.
After this graffiti was discovered, banners came down from the construction site.
Some say that the 71-unit Multnomah Apartments building looks nothing like what
was proposed in the artist rendering. (Photo courtesy of Amelia Ellis)
On Capitol Highway and 33rd
Avenue, the fourth floor has been
recently added to the large 71-
unit Multnomah Apartments the
association tried to stop, or at least
scale back.
A resident, Jan, lives right behind
the project. She shared that a strong
chemical type smell was emitting
from the project on April 11. She
and a few others were experiencing
physical symptoms from the odors.
All people wanted to know
what was that smell and how the
company would mitigate future
potential harmful issues. It was
suggested to call both city and
county environmental health services
and the Oregon Department of
Environmental Quality.
“I investigated reports about a
strong chemical odor reported to
us on April 11,” said Trevor Ritchie,
the project engineer for Bremik
Construction.
“Workers were waterproofing and
caulking windows without masks.
I also checked all plumbers and
framers and found no problems.
Painters were not on site that day. I
spoke to the DEQ over the phone who
had inquired,” Ritchie said.
“I went over all safety data sheets
and found there were no hazardous
conditions.” Ritchie said that the
project is slated to be completed by
December.
As in all Multnomah meetings, the
land use report gets a lot of airplay. A
local amateur historian wants to do
a documentary on the destruction of
Portland.
One of the last pervious areas
in Multnomah, the Hutchinson
property at 4144 SW Canby Street,
has been sold to developer Vic
Remmers of Everett Custom Homes.
“The property is just west of the
Multnomah post office,” land use
chair Jim Peterson said.
According to city records, the
property is valued at over $2 million.
Remmers is no stranger to the
Multnomah neighborhood.
“Remmers has been a thorn in
our side since 1970,” said Chair
Martie Sucec. “Especially his father
who swore he’d never build in
Multnomah again.”
Jan Newman, a Multnomah
member who comes to meetings
occasionally, asked if a class action
lawsuit ever could be filed? Sucec
said everyone was looking for some
kind of hope.
Everett Custom Homes is also
working on a variety of other houses
near Southwest 46th Avenue and
Carson Street. Residents from that
area, Jeff and Cheryl Caines, were in
attendance.
“What can we do about the Everett
trucks destroying the unmaintained
streets?” Jeff Caines asked. “I’ve
contacted Everett Homes and have
had no communication.”
Caines said he contacted his
representative in Salem.
“These trucks have made an
unimproved road even worse with
ruts and mud holes,” added Houston
Markley who also lives in the area.
“How we can hold the developer
accountable?” asked Caines. He was
visibly frustrated. “If they’re building
$750,000 homes, wouldn’t they want
to fix the street?”
Sucec said she would invite
Commissioner Dan Saltzman, or
(Continued on Page 6)
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Editor & Publisher .........Don Snedecor
Reporters / Writers...... ....KC Cowan, Jack Rubinger,
................Erik Vidstrand
Copy Editor ......................Janet Goetze
Advertising Sales ...........Don Snedecor
Graphic Design ..............Leslie Baird Design
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