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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2018)
Is the city cramming in more housing in guise of livability, affordability? – Page 7 Kristin Robinson stars in the musical “Sister Act” at the Lakewood Theatre – Page 5 Spielman opens fourth bagel & coffee shop in Multnomah Village – Page 8 The Southwest Portland Post Volume No. 26 Issue No. 7 www.swportlandpost.com Portland, Oregon Complimentary May 2018 Two-alarm fire strikes Renner’s Grill in Multnomah Village, bar closed indefinitely A two-alarm fire hits Renners Grill in Multnomah Village on March 28. (Photo courtesy of Michael Wagner) By Erik Vidstrand The Southwest Portland Post On a brisk, busy evening in Multnomah Village, a two-alarm fire struck Renner’s Grill. A little before 7:00 in the evening on March 28, a grease fire began in the kitchen of the iconic neighborhood bar. Michael Wagner, a longtime employee at John’s Marketplace, was at the cash register when he suddenly saw smoke outside and ran outside to see it coming from Capitol Highway. “I went up to Renner’s and every- one had evacuated except for one cook still in the kitchen,” he said. “I went inside and told him to get out. The fire department was there within minutes.” Fire engines from stations 4, 5, 18, and 19 were there as well as Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue. Firefighters contained the fire by cutting through the roof and dous- ing it with a steady stream of water. There were no injuries and no other businesses were damaged. Zach Horowitz was having din- ner at Tastebud with his family. “Tastebud provided the firefighters with free pizza,” Horowitz told this reporter who was on the scene. Several village merchants re- ceived texts that a fire was hap- pening in the village and they im- mediately dropped what they were doing to check out the situation. Lisa Jones, Portland Fire and Rescue public information officer, said it could have been a lot worse. “It was hard to get in to the Vil- lage with all the parked cars,” she said. Some cars were stranded for hours but no vehicles were dam- aged. According to a recent post on the bar’s Facebook page, the place is pretty much gutted. “Front to back, top to bottom,” the post reads. “Even though we want to install chandeliers and marble floors we’re gonna put ev- erything back as close to original as humanly possible. It’ll be New Old.” Established in 1939, Renner’s Grill and Suburban Room has been a cherished part of Multnomah Vil- lage for decades. O w n e r S t e ve P o t t e r s a i d h e doesn’t know when Renner’s will reopen. People can donate to a Go- FundMe account, Renner’s Save the Staff Fire Fund. Renner’s is seeking a help in order to make payroll and pay their utilities. “We’re grinding away over here. Keep your eyes on Facebook for updates,” said Potter. State economist discusses Portland housing issues at Hillsdale meeting HILLSDALE NOTEBOOK By Erik Vidstrand The Southwest Portland Post Nearly three dozen people attended the April 4 Hillsdale Neighborhood Association meeting to hear about economic and housing issues affecting Southwest Portland. Josh Lehner, an economist for the state of Oregon, was the keynote speaker. Lehner began the meeting with a presentation entitled, “Portland and the Housing Trilemma.” Lehner explained that the “tri- lemma” for housing issues lies in the contents of the Hillsdale Town Center Plan drafted back in 1997. These issues include affordability, quality of life, and economic strength. “Only eight of the 100 largest metro- politan areas in the U.S. have all three of these traits,” Lehner said. “For example, Detroit has afford- ability only,” he said. “Albuquerque lies on the border of affordability and quality. Affordability is about home ownership, vacancy rates, and rental affordability.” Lehner stated that Youngstown, Ohio is the most affordable city in the US. “And when I speak about quality of life, I’m speaking about the arts, restaurants, and low crime rates. New England cities and Sacramento fit this trait. “Economic strength relies on good, high paying jobs, available employ- ment, and housing that these workers can afford.” Cities at the bottom of economic strength, according to Lehner’s analy- sis, are Denver, Boston, New York, Seattle, Austin, and Portland. “These cities are not affordable,” Lehner said. “Natural resources, like timber, have been replaced by human resources.” An audience member asked why there isn’t a strong transportation in- frastructure [in Portland]. “People are driving less, the gas tax has been losing funds over the last 30 years, and [construction] costs are higher,” he said. “If you don’t accom- modate sprawl and density, there will be displacement. Economic growth will be restrained and choked off. “The only people moving here will be the more affluent. Others will just leave and young people will not move here.” Frederiksen provides update on Residential Infill Project “The city has been relooking at how single-family zones are being ad- dressed,” said Joan Frederiksen of the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. “A proposed draft [of the Residential Infill Project] has been released online and can also be found at local libraries. Public input is now happening until May 15.” Residents can write emails to resi- dential.infill@portlandoregon.gov or use an online app that features an interactive map. The city will hold a drop-in event at the Hillsdale Library on May 3, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., for people who have questions. Public hearings will be held on May 8 and 15 at 5 p.m. at 1900 SW 4th Ave., Room 2500 in downtown Portland. “After public testimony, the record is closed and there will be no more input,” Frederik- sen said. “The bureau will then hold work sessions to discuss the testimony and de- velop any amendments before they vote on their recommen- dations for the city council.” There will be more public hearings on the recommend- ed draft in front of the city council this fall. “The City Council is the fi- nal decision maker,” Frederik- sen said. “We encourage all to provide input. A lot can change from now until the City Council vote.” Hillsdale neighbor asks group to oppose Residential Infill Project Vice President Leann Knapp, who chaired the meet- ing, then called for discussion (Continued on Page 3) Hillsdale resident Natalia Bronner discusses the neighborhood's stance on the Residential Infill Project as Leann Knapp looks on. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand) Subscribe to The Post and help us keep the presses rolling! Form on Page 2. The Southwest Portland Post 4207 SE Woodstock Blvd #509 Portland, OR 97206