Daily Journal of Commerce, Portland articles from May 2008

Daily Journal of Commerce, Portland archives from May 2008

Demolition underway to make way for Park Avenue West in downtown Portland.
May 1, 2008... Byline: Dan Carter A crew from Konell Construction & Demolition Corp. is hard at work on the demo of the Zell block in downtown Portland. After the demolition is completed by the end of May and more than 95 percent of the debris is...

Banner Bank in Oregon promotes two, hires Venti.
May 1, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Banner Bank has promoted Dan Campbell to senior vice president and commercial lending center manager in Portland and Amanda Martinez to Beaverton-Cedar Hills branch manager. In addition, it has hired Mike Venti as...

Regence Foundation in Portland appoints Alexander, Porter.
May 1, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff The Regence Foundation has appointed Mike Alexander as chair and Kieren Porter as president of its board of directors. Alexander is the vice president of account management for Regence, a Northwestern health insurer....

Portland office of Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt hires Newman.
May 1, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt has hired Devon Zastrow Newman as an associate in its Portland office. Newman focuses her practice on patent, trademark and copyright actions in federal court. She is a registered patent...

Stoel Rives in Portland hires Courtney.
May 1, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Stoel Rives LLP has hired Aaron Courtney to its resources, development and environment practice group. Courtney's practice focuses on compliance, permitting and litigation issues under the Endangered Species Act, the...

David Evans and Associates in Portland hires Horton.
May 1, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff David Evans and Associates Inc., has hired Paul Horton as director of sustainability. Horton will create the firm's carbon reduction strategy and make recommendations for improvements in the areas of carbon dioxide...

Funding for Multnomah County Courthouse remains in question.
May 1, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf The Multnomah County Courthouse was a symbol of justice when it first opened in 1914. Now it's a symbol of crumbling infrastructure and bureaucratic inefficiency, legal professionals say. The public building is long...

Architects in Schools program in Oregon offers more than mere kids' play.
May 1, 2008... Byline: Sam Bennett Interior designer Linda Czopek was swamped with work when she decided to take on one more project. As it turned out, that extra project invigorated her and gave her even more resolve to get through a busy period....

Portland General Electric starts second phase of Bull Run demolition.
May 1, 2008... Byline: Libby Tucker Portland General Electric's $19 million project to restore the Sandy River for endangered fish began with a bang last summer as contractors blasted the Marmot Dam open. Next week, contractor JR Merit begins phase two...

Energy Trust of Oregon rebids contract for new buildings program manager.
May 1, 2008... Byline: Libby Tucker The Energy Trust of Oregon will begin accepting bids in June to manage its business energy solutions program for new buildings. Energy Trust is looking for a consulting firm to recruit participants and market the...

Bend firm selected for Redmond city hall project.
May 1, 2008... Byline: DJC staff The city of Redmond has selected Bend firm BBT Architects to design a new city hall and downtown park. Following the city's issuance of a request for qualifications, BBT was selected from a pool of eight applicants as...

Diversity key to helping Portland-area architects ride out market.
May 2, 2008... Byline: Sam Bennett Although recent data from the American Institute of Architects shows that business has slowed down around the United States, local architects say they are well positioned to cope with a lackluster economy. There's...

Portland condominium tower project earns national bragging rights.
May 2, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf There are dozens of platinum-certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design buildings in the United States. But only one of those buildings is a condominium tower, and it's located in Portland. Gerding...

Safety consultant for Associated General Contractors Oregon-Columbia Chapter grills up a crowd.
May 2, 2008... Byline: Libby Tucker If it's a question of attending a backyard barbeque or a meeting on new construction licensing laws, it's hardly a contest. But safety planner and grill-master Tiff Smith makes the choice easy for members of the...

Oregon girls spend day learning about trades.
May 2, 2008... Byline: Dan Carter Electricians from Portland General Electric show middle and high school girls what utility work looks like from a bucket at 30-feet up, while Frank Soots, a Local 701 Operator with Goodfellow Bros., helps sixth grader...

Meier and Frank Delivery Depot in Portland signs lease.
May 2, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf The Meier and Frank Delivery Depot, located at 1417 N.W. Everett St., has taken steps toward leasing the property, which is currently undergoing redevelopment. The former warehouse is being redeveloped by Gerding Edlen...

Oregon State University's animal hospital expansion nearly complete.
May 2, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report The $12 million expansion of Oregon State University's large-animal hospital and diagnostic imaging center is nearing completion. A dedication ceremony will be held for the new Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary...

Portland State University architecture students to plan 'Narratorium'.
May 2, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Sixteen Portland State University students will propose ideas for a Portland Narratorium at a forum slated for 2 p.m. on Saturday. The Narratorium would be a kind of museum dedicated to the art of storytelling...

Commentary: Hey boss, check out my new tattoo!
May 2, 2008... Byline: Rich Meneghello Problem: One day, you wake up and you realize something in your office has gotten out of hand. At first, a few years ago, you didn't think it was that big of a deal when one of your administrative assistants showed...

Oregon Department of Transportation, utilities step up recruiting at trades fair.
May 5, 2008... Byline: Libby Tucker Height doesn't faze Cristi Dyami, although she looks a little concerned for the middle school girls she's helping to scale a utility pole. The apprentice lineman digs her gaffs into the wood like a pro, locks her knees...

Six options are now on table for the South Corridor bridge.
May 5, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf As Metro prepares to release the draft environmental impact statement for the South Corridor Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project, the River Partnership Committee, composed of residents and business leaders and headed...

Awards recognize preservation in Portland area.
May 5, 2008... Byline: Sam Bennett The Architectural Heritage Center/Bosco-Milligan Foundation plans to celebrate its 20-year commitment to historic preservation with the inaugural Preservation in Action Award. The Preservation in Action Award will...

Condos approved in Portland for Hood River.
May 5, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Portland developer Bob Naito has been given approval by the Hood River Planning Commission to build a 42-condominium project along the Hood River waterfront. The project will be located at the former Nichols Boat...

Portland-based Murase Associates to redesign SeaTac plaza, living road.
May 5, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Portland landscape architecture firm Murase Associates has been selected by the city of SeaTac and the Des Moines Memorial Drive Committee to redesign Sunnydale Memorial Plaza and the Des Moines Memorial Drive Living Road...

Fuel stolen from Sisters site in Central Oregon.
May 5, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Thieves struck a construction site in Central Oregon on Tuesday and made off with about $6,000 worth of off-road diesel fuel. The 1,500 gallons of fuel, stored in a Bend Oil Co. trailer, was owned by Taylor Northwest....

Donations made to Zoo's new exhibit in Portland.
May 5, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff The Oregon Zoo has received $125,000 from the Jay and Diane Zidell Charitable Foundation for its new Predators of the Serengeti exhibit. The zoo now has $4.7 million of $5 million needed to build the...

President of Cary Kopczynski & Co. in Portland named 25 Top Newsmaker.
May 5, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff McGraw-Hill Construction has announced that Cary Kopczynski has received one of 25 Top Newsmakers Awards from the Engineering News-Record, McGraw's news magazine. Kopczynski is president of Cary Kopczynski & Co. He...

Jeanne Lawson Associates in Portland hires Zenn.
May 5, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Jeanne Lawson Associates has hired Doug Zenn as a principal and senior associate. Zenn was previously employed with Zenn Associates and has 20 years of experience in public involvement strategy and meeting...

Mead & Hunt in Portland hires Vrtiska.
May 5, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Mead & Hunt has hired Alexander Vrtiska as an aviation consultant for its air service team. Vrtiska holds a Bachelor of Science in economics and Spanish from the University of Oregon. He was previously the...

OBEC Consulting Engineers in Salem hires Kalvelage.
May 5, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff OBEC Consulting Engineers has hired John Kalvelage as a principal engineer and senior project manager in its Salem office. Kalvelage has 15 years of technical and project management experience. He was previously a...

Pac/West in Portland promotes Stoner.
May 5, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Pac/West has promoted Kelly Stoner to vice president. Stoner was previously a senior account manager, and will continue to handle social marketing accounts. She was previously an independent communications consultant...

Corvallis cellulosic ethanol start-up receives energy grant.
May 6, 2008... Byline: Libby Tucker The U.S. Department of Energy last week awarded Trillium FiberFuels a $100,000 grant to test a new method for making cellulosic ethanol - a biofuel made from grass, wood and other fibrous plant material. The...

Portland projects among first to receive new LEED certification.
May 6, 2008... Byline: Sam Bennett Two Portland projects - Eliot Tower and Helensview Homes - are among the first in the country to receive a new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification called LEED for Neighborhood Development. ...

Columbia River Crossing: Taskforce says timing is key to funding Portland-Vancouver bridge project.
May 6, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf With the release late last week of the draft environmental impact statement for the Columbia River Crossing, the taskforce behind the Portland-Vancouver bridge project is busy ramping up its push to keep the project...

Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs to hold 20th annual trade show.
May 6, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report The Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs will hold its 20th annual luncheon and trade show on Thursday at the Oregon Convention Center. The event, titled Oregonians United for Business Success, will...

Portland-based Guardian Management named top affordable housing developer.
May 6, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Portland-based real estate management company Guardian Management has been recognized as one of the top 50 affordable housing developers by Affordable Housing Finance. Guardian was placed at 24 on the list. ...

Commercial Real Estate Women Portland to hold Pearl walking tour in May.
May 6, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Commercial Real Estate Women Portland will hold a walking tour of the North Pearl District as part of its May lunch meeting. The tour will begin at the Waterfront Pearl Showroom, 1200 N.W. Naito Parkway, Suite...

Commentary: Transparency is key to integrity.
May 6, 2008... Byline: Mike Salsgiver Oregon's public contracting laws have moved through several versions over the years, with rewrites and countless other tweaks and changes. As a guiding principle, lawmakers have relied on the concept of ensuring a...

Kindig appointed to Central Oregon Employers Council.
May 6, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Pinnacle Architecture has announced that Denice Kindig has been appointed as a board member of the Central Oregon Employers Council. Kindig is the human resources director and business manager at Pinnacle and...

Pacific Northwest law firm Elliot, Ostrander & Preston hires Leonard.
May 6, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Elliot, Ostrander & Preston has hired Joel P. Leonard as a shareholder. Leonard was previously a partner with Holland & Knight LLP. His practice focuses on health law and business litigation.

Portland-based Northwest Staffing Resources hires Murray.
May 6, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Portland-based Northwest Staffing Resources has hired Mary Ann Murray as branch manager at its Washington Offices in Kent and Bellevue. Murray has 15 years of experience in staffing services and sales. She...

Three projects spark inner eastside transformation in Portland.
May 7, 2008... Byline: Libby Tucker The $146 million extension of the streetcar to Portland's inner eastside is at least four years from a ribbon-cutting. But recent property sales and building activity along a short strip of Northeast Broadway Street...

Park Apartments bin Portland build on historical context of established neighborhood.
May 7, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf Northwest Portland's Alphabet District is one of the city's most established neighborhoods, with historic townhouses and upscale apartments lining the shaded streets. The neighborhood's latest apartment building intends...

Portland-based StastnyBrun Architects guides worldwide design competitions.
May 7, 2008... Byline: Sam Bennett Managing design competitions gives Don Stastny a chance to help great architects achieve their goals. And in the process, Stastny learns some lessons he can use in his own practice. It does influence our work very...

Beaverton company secures UO campus lease.
May 7, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff A Beaverton-based optoelectronic provider, Voxtel Inc., has signed a 7-year lease to occupy laboratories at the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute's Lorry I. Lokey Laboratories on the University of...

OSHA to hold safety conference in La Grande.(Conference news)
May 7, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division will hold a conference next month to address safety issues in the work place. The second annual Blue Mountain Occupational Safety and Health Conference will be held...

University of Oregon professor receives award.
May 7, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff A University of Oregon architecture professor has received the 2008 Women in Solar Energy Award from the American Solar Energy Society. Alison Kwok accepted the award at ASES's Solar 2008 Conference Monday in San...

Weyerhaeuser farm inducted into safety program in Oregon.
May 7, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff The Oregon Department of of Consumer and Business Services Occupational Safety and Health division has awarded Voluntary Protection Program Merit status to Weyerhaeuser's Coos Bay Timberlands tree farm. The Voluntary...

Demolition crew finds hidden safe in downtown Portland.
May 7, 2008... Byline: Libby Tucker Konnell Construction got a little surprise two weeks ago during the demolition of the former Zell Bros. Jewelers in downtown Portland. While knocking down the historic building to make way for a 33-story Park...

Adams announces $2.7M budget shortfall for Portland Office of Transportation.
May 8, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf Rising fuel and construction prices are taking their toll on the Portland Office of Transportation, Commissioner Sam Adams announced Wednesday. Due to a PDOT budgeting shortfall, he said, all projects will now undergo a...

After two redesigns, waterfront towers are now ready to build in Portland.
May 8, 2008... Byline: Sam Bennett With a rooftop wind farm and a rainwater harvesting system, the $21 million Portland City Storage building will be a new type of riverside development in Portland. Designed by MulvannyG2 Architecture's Portland...

Oregon subcontractors take home awards.
May 8, 2008... Byline: Nathalie Weinstein The success of a project often depends on the competency of its subcontractors. Whether it's running electrical cable or constructing a building shell, subcontractors perform necessary and difficult project...

Portland-based Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects chosen for San Diego health science building.
May 8, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report The University of California San Diego has chosen Portland-based Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects to design its new health sciences biomedical research facility. The 150,000-square-foot project will include...

David Douglas school system in Portland to build $6.1M in expansions.
May 8, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report The David Douglas School Board last week hired Bremik Construction to build two middle school additions totaling $6.1 million. Bremik will add six classrooms to the Floyd Light Middle School and eight...

Portland Water Bureau discovers waste in Mt. Tabor reservoir.
May 8, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Waste was discovered in Mt. Tabor Reservoir 6 Wednesday morning by the Portland Water Bureau. The bureau found a two-gallon jug of latex paint; a vertical, orange construction barricade;, fliers and five tennis...

Commentary: Iranian planners face familiar challenges.
May 8, 2008... Byline: Ed Sullivan I've just returned from a two-week visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran. While there are many social and political contrasts that can be made - and many comments about the hospitable people, good food and natural...

Portland-based Deca Architecture hires four, promotes Spurgin.
May 8, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Deca Architecture hired Laura Fix as a senior interior designer, Kristina Hauri as an intern architect, Aaron Whelton as an intern architect and Genevieve White as an administrative assistant. In addition, it has...

Rembold Properties LLC in Portland promotes Kira Cador.
May 8, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Rembold Properties LLC has promoted Kira Cador to president. Cador has been with Rembold since 1990. She will manage Rembold Properties and direct the company into new real estate development opportunities.

Oregon-based Rutan Construction hires Lance Powlison.
May 8, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Rutan Construction Inc. has hired Lance Powlison as its general manager. Powlison has over 20 years of experience in construction, development and management.

Commentary: '1031' may allow for deferral of taxes.
May 9, 2008... Byline: Jeffrey S. Tarr Have you ever heard the phrase 1031 exchange or like-kind exchange and wondered what it meant? The reference to 1031 is a reference to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. Perhaps the broadest meaning of 1031...

NW Natural in Portland promotes Damiano.
May 9, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff NW Natural has promoted Phil Damiano as its green builder project manager. Damiano will work with home builders and inform them about the environmental benefits of natural gas and natural gas products. He will also...

Fizel rejoins Wells Fargo in Portland.
May 9, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Wells Fargo has announced that James Fizel has rejoined the bank as a small business administration business development officer. Fizel previously worked at Navistar Financial Corp., the CIT Group, GE Capital and U.S....

Yorke & Curtis flies high at awards ceremony for Pacific Northwest chapter of ABC.
May 9, 2008... Byline: Libby Tucker Yorke & Curtis swept the Pacific Northwest chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors excellence awards ceremony Thursday night, winning the coveted eagle award and two other honors. The general contractor was...

Career expo in Portland promotes trades to teens.
May 9, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf At the fourth annual Youth Career Expo, held Thursday at the Portland Convention Center, one point was stressed above all others: College isn't for everyone. Drew Park, CEO of Columbia Wire & Iron and a coordinator...

Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs holds 20th annual luncheon and trade show.
May 9, 2008... Byline: Dan Carter Lidia Morales with Oregon Fixture Services LLC, a Portland contractor that does woodworking, millwork and laminates, talks about her company with JE Dunn Construction project manager Bruce Van Hine at the Oregon...

Environmental firm announces downtown Portland move.
May 9, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Environmental consulting firm ESA Adolfson has moved its Portland office to the Yeon Building at 522 S.W. Fifth Avenue, Suite 820, in Portland. The firm's local office was previously located in the Oregon...

Oregon Department of Transportation to give $5M for pedestrian and bicycle projects.
May 9, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report The Oregon Department of Transportation has announced that $5 million will be distributed to pedestrian and bicycle related projects through a competitive grant program. The Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian...

Lions and tigers and engineers at American Council of Engineering Companies of Oregon dinner.
May 9, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report The American Council of Engineering Companies of Oregon will hold its annual business dinner at the Oregon Zoo this year. The Wednesday, May 21 event begins at 5:30 p.m. in the zoo's Skyline Room with a social...

Paolo Design Group to hold green house workshop in Portland.
May 9, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Paolo Design Group will hold a green house planning workshop on Saturday, May 31 at the Cultural Center for the Northwest Children's Theater & School. The free workshop will cover budgeting, sustainable...

Multnomah County Circuit Court judge orders tile companies to give employee records to union.
May 12, 2008... Byline: Libby Tucker A Multnomah County Circuit Court judge on Friday ordered three open-shop tile-setting companies to turn over employee records to the bricklayers union Local 1. Rose City Marble, Granite & Tile; Paragon Tile &...

Boise Neighborhood Association seeks more say in streetcar planning.
May 12, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf The Boise Neighborhood Association is working to gather support from other neighborhood associations in order to pressure the Portland Office of Transportation into changing its public process for streetcar corridor...

Students, parents in Portland get first look at ACE high school.
May 12, 2008... Byline: Libby Tucker Reynolds High School sophomore Bo Sarjent isn't much into academics. But he works well with his hands, which is why he and his parents are excited that he'll start his junior year next fall at the Portland metro...

New hospital to be developed in Beaverton.
May 12, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff A new 36-bed psychiatric hospital to be located in the Cedar Hills area of Beaverton has been approved by the Oregon Department of Human Services. A final order was given last week for Ascend Health Corp. to operate...

University of Oregon in Portland hosts talk on architecture of synagogues.
May 12, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Architecture professor Thomas C. Hubka will speak at the University of Oregon's Portland location on Thursday and at the university's main campus in Eugene on Friday. His lecture The Art and Architecture of...

Oregon Department of Energy recognizes state building projects.
May 12, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff The Oregon Department of Energy has recognized three state building projects for their energy efficiency and will present each with an award on Tuesday at the Oregon State Library, in Salem. The Department of...

Commentary: Bonds are not always a safe haven.
May 12, 2008... Byline: William Rutherford Bonds are generally regarded as a safe place to invest money, and generally they are. They can limit volatility in a diversified portfolio, usually provide some return and an investor usually gets their money...

Central City Concern in Portland promotes Manning.
May 12, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Central City Concern has promoted Traci Manning to chief operating officer. Manning was previously director of housing development at CCC for eight years. She has been with the organization for 15 years. She holds a...

Kennedy/Jenks Consultants in Portland hires Huston.
May 12, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Kennedy/Jenks Consultants has hired Patrick T. Huston as director of its Water Environment Group. Huston has 15 years of experience in water resources consulting and planning, design and construction of water,...

Oregon construction lawyer changes lanes like a pro.
May 13, 2008... Byline: Sam Bennett As John Baker makes his way to the American Institute of Architects national convention this week in Boston, he doesn't have the worries of the past. Baker, a former architect and Lake Oswego lawyer who specializes...

Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council celebrates 100 years.
May 13, 2008... Byline: Libby Tucker More than 700 builders, elected officials and union leaders gathered Saturday night to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council. The event, held at the Oregon Convention...

Apartment rents should increase as housing prices fall.
May 13, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf Though the recent downturn in housing appreciation rates has started a price-realignment process for bought properties, rental prices are expected to increase as a result, according to a report from the Center for...

MESA event at Portland State University sparks creativity in young minds.
May 13, 2008... Byline: Dan Carter More than 350 middle and high school students from 13 Portland area schools built bridges, egg holders, rockets and catapults to compete in the annual MESA Day event at Portland State University on Friday. MESA (math,...

Oregon governor splits OECDD, appoints new director.
May 13, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Gov. Ted Kulongoski yesterday announced he's moving the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department's community services to a different department. The community development division, which helps cities...

April job loss in Oregon far below seasonal average.
May 13, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report The Oregon economy suffered its second consecutive month of decline in April, leaving employment at its lowest level since October of 2007, according to a report released yesterday by the Oregon Employment...