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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2011)
4 street roots April 1, 2011 flbm ms afiifi N ED1A ROUND-UP The Oregonian is planning to go to an all online format in 2012 — abandoning the print edition — as soon as it figures out how to actually create an online newspaper. “We’re still trying to figure out what kind of ink we’re going to be using on the Web site,” says someone close to the deal. “We’re figuring it out, though.” The one-time Pacific Northwest media giant has seen its readership decline in droves after realizing that journalism was actually key in making the newspaper successful in the 21st century. The Willamette Week editorial team, known for its “gotcha” journalism, did not come after Street Roots for the first time in years. SR was expecting a round-house around February after the SR managing editor was caught drunk and full of pills in a panda outfit sending e-mails to SR staff at a local bar. The shrinking weekly publication still continues to supply SR with freelance journalists through its internship program, SR’s publisher told supporters that he thanked both the University of Oregon’s Journalism Department and the WW for having the internship program and partnering with the local community. ‘Bath’n’slide’ eases stink of water rate hike BY W INONA CHICKENSWORTH STAFF W R IT E R I i * The Portland Mercury is thought to have abondoned news coverage on important issues save for press releases from City Hall and bike groups — after realizing that no one actually cared about - what the Portland Mercury was reporting on — unless they worked at City Hall, or rode a bike, or both. Blue Oregon, once a respected news source for liberal Oregonians changed ifs format this year so that people commenting on articles had to be logged into Facebook. The change was meant to weed out anonymous people whose rants and raves had become a distraction to the sites managers and readers. Meanwhile, the number of rants and raves from Blue Oregon columnists has increased, while the number of comments has plummeted. It’s thought that readers got tired of “liberal speak” about beer, and completely ignored the fact that Democrats were getting their asses handed to them in the mid-term elections while supporting wars in 12; different regions of the w orld.. ENZYME PDX, billing itself as an online publication dedicated to preserving the best practices of American journalism in a sustainable form for the digital age, closed its doors two months after having a grand opening. Preserving American journalism is thought to have been short-lived after the news outlet could not find sustainability in reporting on the same events that 15 other media outlets had already covered. “We’re not exactly sure why the online news format through ENZYME PDX didn’t take off,” says the founder. “We had a really great gardening section. It’s puzzling.” Television news stations throughout the region were given awards for producing a series of absolutely meaningless drivel about snow forecasts six days before the snow never arrived. One local weather person told SR that they were proud of the acknowledgements but were suprised knowing that their rain coverage had been far more superior this year. everal Portlanders have voiced concern about being able to afford the increase in water rates, but were happy to be able to take new bike paths to social-service agencies offering assistance for their water bills.’ ~n-|TT^ &-a.rniypd hle^siag,” W s Tlehhie a mother of two. “We have had to move some things around and my two kids aren’t going to have access to things like food or running water all the time, but we’re willing to risk those things for a healthier city.” City officials say that a $3.18 increase for water and sewer rates will go a long way; One official says, “More trees and bioswáles mean a healthier planet for people of;means who can afford to be green.” S Asked if officials were concerned about the projected increase in assistance requests by poor and working families, one insider at City Hall said, “Look, we can’t be all things to all people, and if families are ' preoccupied with how their kids are going to bathe and use the restroom, than I would have to question their commitment to a the new ‘Water House’ from the Water Bureau will have a long-lasting impact It’s ; nice.” Asked if the water bureau would be increasing their energy assistance pool to help the growing number of people needing help, a spokesperson said, “Yes, in the place like Portlandia. We have set up a summer weite-going to work in partnership special bike path with hioswales that will allow people to. ride safely to energy assistance locations and unemployment service. We’re a city that values treating people fairly.” SR asked City Commissioner Randy Leonard to comment on the increase in water rates.; > “I’m not going to answer that question,” says Leonard. “I will say that I really think with the Parks Bureau and offer a “Bath’n’ Slide” for kids 16 and under. We’re calling it the “Suihmer of Hygiene and Savings.” We’re not about to turn our faucets off to those in need.” Cycling and environmental programs funded by the increase water rates will be tabling and offering free bike safety classes during the summer “Bath’n’Slide” events. Southwest renewal comes not a moment too late BY URA BASTAGE < S T A F F W R IT E R , so-called Innovative District (aka; Urban Renewal Area) could possibly land downtown after Southwest | Portland is thought to be on the verge of collapse. About 130 acres on the southern edge of downtown, bordered by Southwest Jefferson and Columbia streets on the north, Park and 13th avenùes on the west, interstate-405 on the south and First Avenue on the e ast—are being primed for redevelopment through a complex tax- increment finance system that would spur growth in the area. Urban renewal is a state-authorized program designed to help communities improve and redevelop areas that are physically deteriorated, suffering economic stagnation, unsafe or poorly planned. The area around Portland State University (PSU) has been devastated oyer the past decade — seeing á decline in crime District, and area so obviously blighted, along with the constant growth óf Portland entire blocks appear as black voids and State University. rubble. One of the rougher neighborhoods in Portland also connects with the area — the infamous South Waterfront neighborhood blight where Oregon Health and Science “I can’t even bring my kids down here University (OHSU) is housed. anymore,” says one tourist It’s also thought that the Portland Art A resident that lives in the blighted area Museum, along the Oregon Historical says that it’s hard to imagine it getting any Society — which passed a $12 million life worse. saving levy this year, is being overrun with The City of Portland, the Portland « Development Commission and other business leaders are thought to have chosen the location that will receive millions of dollars, because the rest of the city is holding its own. Meanwhile, residents in East Portland are saying that they are hoping to be annexed in the near future, and to have their name changed to East Berlin after getting screwed over every year since 1851. Not to be outdone,. Gresham is asking the county to rename its city - “East of Eden.” The City of Portland is hoping that by ■ offering the assistance to the area that people will one day be able to enjoy the area, without feeling overwhelmed with blight and urban decay. “I’m just hoping that one day the Art Musuem actually creates a world-class venue that doesn t charge an arm and a leg for its blighted art collection,” says one resident. A spokesperson for the PDC says it has three decades worth of history that shows how much it has helped poor communities throughout the city, and is excited to get to work on the new project. “We’re just chomping at the bit,” says officials with PSU and OHSU. “We can hardly breathe down here. Maybe after all this is said and done, the business community and the universities can stop saying Portland is anti-business. It’s a stretch, but anything is possible. We’re hoping for the best.’”
