Daily Journal of Commerce, Portland articles from November 2008

Daily Journal of Commerce, Portland archives from November 2008

State of Oregon acknowledges that many brokers are choosing to suspend their licenses.
November 3, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf In tight financial times, the real estate industry worries about more than losing money.Losing institutional memory, that long tail of brokerage knowledge, is equally worrisome. And staving off the introduction of new...

Panelist at sustainability conference in Seattle says quick action is needed to halt global warming.(Conference news)
November 3, 2008... Byline: Sam Bennett When an avalanche took out several electrical transmission towers south of Juneau, Alaska in April, Alaska Electric Light & Power Co. announced that the city would use diesel generators for electricity until the towers...

Experts in Portland say companies should prepare to lose ground in the legal arena.
November 3, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff We asked. They answered. Portland attorneys have weighed in on their top picks for changes in the law that employers and business owners should follow closely - or prepare for - in the coming year. As it turns out,...

Big Pipe engineer slated to discuss technical issues at meeting in Portland.
November 3, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff The Big Pipe project will be the topic of discussion at the Society of American Military Engineers Portland Post's meeting on Wednesday. The East Side Combined Sewer Overflow Tunnel Project is the final and largest...

BOORA's Portland adidas project receives honor.(Awards list)
November 3, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff A BOORA Architects project that converted an abandoned hospital into adidas' corporate headquarters has been recognized as one of five winners of the Urban Land Institute's Global Awards for Excellence competition. ...

Washington home builder accepting food donations.
November 3, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Southwest Washington residential builder New Tradition Homes is kicking off the giving season early this year by participating in a food drive for the North County Community Food Bank. Food bins will be present at...

Oregon State University's engineering college hires head of sustainability.
November 4, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Oregon State University's College of Engineering has named Catherine Mater its new director of sustainability programs. Mater is president of Mater Engineering in Corvallis and an OSU engineering alumnus. With...

Ex-railroad bridge in Salem to serve cyclists, pedestrians.
November 4, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report A former railroad bridge in Salem is set to get a new life as a bridge for cyclists and pedestrians, the Stateman Journal reports. The 95-year-old Union Street Bridge was purchased by the city of Salem in 2004...

Developer revises layout of community project in Beaverton.
November 4, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Developer Polygon Northwest has submitted a revised development proposal to the city of Beaverton for its Timberland master-planned community project in the Cedar Mill area. The revised proposal includes a new...

Gresham's Kane Drive project seeks final comments.
November 4, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report The last opportunity to comment on the Kane Drive Improvement Project in Gresham will be Thursday evening, during a 90-percent-completion design review open house. The project involves widening Kane Drive to...

Oregon City park bears name of man killed while volunteering.
November 4, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Construction has concluded on a new 1.5-acre park along the Willamette River in Oregon City. Located between Clackamette Park and Sportcraft Marina, Jon Storm Park features a picnic shelter, interpretive panels...

Ater Wynne LLP hires Abramowitz, Flores.
November 4, 2008... Byline: DJC staff Ater Wynne LLP has hired Kay Abramowitz as a partner and June Wiyrick Flores as Of counsel. Abramowitz specializes in asset protection and wealth preservation, as well as succession and transfer issues found in...

Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt hires Tjerandsen as associate in its Portland office.
November 4, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt has hired Karl Tjerandsen as an associate in the firm's Portland office. Tjerandsen's practice focuses on corporate and commercial business transactions, health-care transactions,...

Washington County hires Chapman-Duer as its sustainability coordinator.
November 4, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Washington County has hired Ronda Chapman-Duer as its sustainability coordinator. Chapman-Duer will manage the county's approach to improving energy efficiency, reducing waste and pollution and implementing...

Commentary: Staying afloat during turbulent times will ensure success when the storm subsides.
November 4, 2008... Byline: Robert Nicklos Companies involved in the construction and real estate markets are being hit hard in this weakening economy. Real estate holdings are dropping in value, occupancy rates are dwindling, and the travails of local...

New tower planned for Portland waits for economic rebound.
November 4, 2008... Byline: Sam Bennett When the condo market in Portland turns around, the Cosmopolitan Tower will be ready. That is the plan, at least, according to Joe Weston of Weston Investment Co. We want to be a leg up, said Weston, referring to...

Phoenix-based Alliance Residential develops Broadstone Enso in Portland's Pearl District.
November 4, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf Already flush with condominiums and former condos that are now apartments, the Pearl District will be getting a new mixed-use housing project designed and developed as an apartment complex. Phoenix-based Alliance...

Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects set to renovate Old Town hotel in Portland.
November 4, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects has put in an application to refurbish the Globe Hotel in Old Town for the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine's new dwelling space. Located at 88 N.W. Davis St., the...

Newberg cultural center ready for construction.
November 5, 2008... Byline: Sam Bennett The Chehalem Cultural Center will give Newberg residents a new venue in which to gather - inside and out. The downtown cultural center will feature a civic plaza that can be used for a farmers' market, art fairs or...

Master stone mason opens shop in Portland.
November 5, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff New company Rock Solid Creations LLC celebrated its grand opening on Saturday. Founded by master English stone mason Chris Crawford, Rock Solid Creations specializes in masonry construction and offers project...

Preservation Web site offers e-mail service for jobs.
November 5, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff In addition to its resources for historic preservationists and restoration experts, preservationdirectory.com now offers an e-mail service for those looking for a job in the industry. The Web site, which seeks to...

Sustainable design theorist plans to visit PNCA in Portland.
November 5, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Australian designer and sustainable design theorist Tony Fry will pay a visit to the Pacific Northwest College of Art next month to give a lecture and curate an exhibition. A director of sustainability consultant firm...

Portland-based MacKay & Sposito employees pass engineering exam.
November 5, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff MacKay & Sposito Inc. announced that Chadd Kahlsdorf and Pherak Hay have passed their professional engineering exam. Kahlsdorf works in the firm's Vancouver, Wash., office and has been with company for three years. He...

Portland-based PPI Group's president presented with Spirit of Excellence award.
November 5, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff The PPI Group has announced that its president, Tigue Howe, has been presented the Spirit of Excellence award by Topcon Positioning Systems. Howe has been with The PPI Group, a survey and construction supply company,...

Sherwood moves forward on canned development.
November 5, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf Throughout the 1990s, Sherwood was among Oregon's fastest-growing towns, with a population that increased by 350 percent. Now, with the long-awaited Sherwood Cannery redevelopment poised to start construction next...

Oregon voters give money for school bond measures.
November 6, 2008... Byline: Sam Bennett At SRG Partnership's Portland and Seattle offices, early election results on Wednesday were greeted with relief. SRG was closely watching school bond measures and other elections in Oregon and Washington, according...

Multifamily market in Portland braces for influx of luxury units.
November 6, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf In the realm of multifamily real estate, the divide between buyers and sellers has never been wider, industry analysts say. Sellers are looking backward, at better times; buyers are looking forward, toward an...

Pacific Northwest College of Art takes step toward permanance in Portland with building purchase.
November 6, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf The Pacific Northwest College of Art took another step toward shoring up its permanence in Portland by finally purchasing its main campus building at 1241 N.W. Johnson St. The college used tax-exempt bonds and donor...

Portland Planning Bureau workshops focus on ways to improve MAX stations.
November 6, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report The Portland Planning Bureau will hold two community workshops this month to address ways to improve east-side MAX stations. The Eastside MAX Station Communities project will look at communities within one-half...

Central Oregon voters say no to several measures.
November 6, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report The Sisters School District, the city of La Pine, Bend Area Transit and Central Oregon Community College suffered losses in Tuesday's election in regard to funding, the Bend Bulletin reported. A $5 million levy...

Federal grant pays for lights on road in Vancouver, Wash.
November 6, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Things are getting brighter on Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard, in Vancouver, Wash. The city of Vancouver has received a grant from the Federal Highway Administration Intersection and Corridor Safety Program for new...

Western Oregon University's new residence hall planned to be LEED platinum.
November 6, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Western Oregon University in Monmouth is set to get a new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design platinum-certified dormitory. The new residence hall will house 300 students in 125 double-occupancy and...

Fish collection facility in Oregon will help endangered species.
November 6, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Help is on the way in Lane County for endangered species of fish residing in Oregon's waters. A project costing between $5 million and $10 million to construct a new fish collection facility at Cougar Dam and...

Mixed-use space in Salem honored by Oregon Economic Development Assn. for collaboration.
November 6, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report A mixed-use residential project in Salem was recognized last month during the Oregon Economic Development Association's conference. The 295 Church Street project received the Award of Excellence for Collaborative...

Oregon-based Ball Janik LLP hires three associates.
November 6, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Ball Janik LLP has hired Jacob A. Zahniser, Mathew W. Lauritsen and Jennifer L. Pike as associate attorneys. Zahniser works in the firm's litigation practice group, focusing his practice area in construction...

Portland office of Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt hires Dunham.
November 6, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt has hired Kelly Dunham to its intellectual property practice group in its Portland office. Dunham has litigation experience in briefing of patent, trademark, and copyright-related...

Brickner-Schulz elected president of International Paralegal Management Association.
November 6, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report The International Paralegal Management Association has elected Elise Brickner-Schulz as president. Brickner-Schulz is director of legal support services for Miller Nash LLP. She is also involved in the firm's...

Commentary: Five ways to guarantee a lawsuit.
November 6, 2008... Byline: Rich Meneghello If you are in business, you should be thinking about the risks involved. Solution: Here are the first five of 10 common - but often forgotten - pitfalls that lead to liability and lawsuits for business owners, as...

Commentary: Reflecting on the passing of an industry giant, H.A. 'Andy' Andersen.
November 6, 2008... Byline: Mike Salsgiver It isn't an understatement to say that the world is facing tremendous change and challenges. With a global financial crisis beginning to weigh on construction projects around the country, there is much to talk about...

Northwest District Association's appeal of Richard Singer's garage voted down at Portland City Council.
November 7, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf The Northwest District Association has exhausted its appeal process with the city in trying to prevent a new, multistory parking structure from being built in the historic Alphabet District. City Council on Wednesday...

Portland landscape architect recalls how his team won Pioneer Courthouse Square design competition.
November 7, 2008... Byline: Sam Bennett To win the Pioneer Courthouse Square design competition 28 years ago, Doug Macy and his design team urged the jury to think local. In their first submittal to the city, Macy and his team chose a risky strategy:...

Concrete poured at Providence Office Park project in Northeast Portland.
November 7, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Josh Burnett, above right, with Knife River unloads concrete for the first pour at the Providence Office Park project in Northeast Portland. A crew from Whitaker/Ellis, top and above left, spreads the mud at the...

Lamb named University of Oregon distinguished visiting professor.
November 7, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report The designer behind the newly-completed Metropolitan condominiums in the Pearl District and the Allegro Condominiums in Southwest Portland has been appointed the 2008 Margo Grant Walsh Distinguished Visiting...

Oregon labor market dips in September.
November 7, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report The labor market continues to decline in Oregon, according to a recently released report by the University of Oregon. UO's Index of Economic Indicators fell in September to 90.9, a 0.1-percent decline from...

Gresham sports park construction is under way.
November 7, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report A new sports park is currently under construction in Gresham. The $3.1 million Gradin Community Sports Park is part of the city's 2008-2013 Capitol Improvement Plan. The 32.05-acre park will be located at 2303...

Commentary: Five more ways to guarantee a lawsuit.
November 7, 2008... Byline: Rich Meneghello Problem: How often have you heard about all the things you can't do? You can't fire him; you'll get sued for sure or If you write her up, she's just going to bring a claim against you. If you are in business, you...

Unico looks to Portland, Seattle markets for prefab roll-out.
November 8, 2008... Byline: Sam Bennett Jonas Sylvester believes there is a potentially strong market for sustainably built, prefabricated housing in Portland. It's all a matter of timing. We see Portland as a fantastic market, said Sylvester, vice...

Transportation committee in Oregon presents its transportation vision to the governor.
November 8, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf A committee of civic and business leaders late last week released a report to the governor, outlining infrastructural and policy problems that have hampered the state's roads and bridges. The report comes at a time...

Four incorporated businesses thrive in Hubbard while shipping their products around the world.
November 8, 2008... Byline: Dan Carter The five incorporated businesses that work closely with The Ulven Cos. (TUC) are studies in contrasts. Four are located in the small town of Hubbard, but many of their products are used around the world. The companies...

Portland's White Stag Block historic rehab project honored.
November 8, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Portland's White Stag Block has been honored as one of nine historic rehabilitation projects in the United States to receive the 2008 J. Timothy Anderson Award for Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation. The project...

New facility for Mt. Tabor park in Portland seeks input.
November 8, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff The preferred design selected for a new facility at Mt. Tabor Central Yard & Nursery will be presented at a community open house on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gigibar, 5941 S.E. Division St. Project architect...

Wilsonville landscaper forms division to handle interior plants.
November 8, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Wilsonville landscape company ProGrass Landscape Care and Design has formed a new interior/exterior landscape division called Botanical Impressions, which specializes in the design, installation and care of interior...

Commentary: U.S. government has become irreversibly involved in many businesses' affairs.
November 10, 2008... Byline: William Rutherford One day in the not-too-distant past, seemingly eons ago, top executives of Lehman Brothers met with Federal Reserve and Treasury officials at the Federal Reserve offices in New York. At issue was what to do about...

Beaverton-based LMC Construction treats 'massive water damage' at Woodburn development.
November 11, 2008... Byline: Dan Carter As Kyle Anderson of LMC Construction initially surveyed the 90-unit Nuevo Amanecer housing project in Woodburn, even he was amazed at the mess. Our company specializes in replacing skins on buildings because of...

Portland Cement Association predicts decline in cement use.
November 11, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report A combination of a weak economy, tight credit market, falling revenues for state government and job losses has led the Portland Cement Association to adjust its cement consumption forecast. The PCA predicts...

Portland's Bureau of Development Services offers four landlord training courses.
November 11, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Four classes for landlords are being offered this month by Portland's Bureau of Development Services. BDS' 2008 Landlord Training Program will focus on creating partnerships between property owners, tenants and...

Former Portland mayor to receive leadership award.
November 11, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Former Portland mayor Vera Katz will be one of four recipients of the National Education for Women's Leadership Oregon Award at the Women's Leadership Luncheon on Dec. 4 at the Portland Art Museum. The...

McDonald Jacobs PC Certified Public Accountants in Portland hires Berkey.
November 12, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report McDonald Jacobs PC Certified Public Accountants has hired Jessica Berkey as senior accountant. She joined the firm in August.

Multnomah County's Sellwood Bridge replacement's final design slated for Feb. 2009.
November 12, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf Multnomah County continues to move forward with its plans to replace the dilapidated Sellwood Bridge, the busiest two-lane bridge in the state, after releasing its draft environmental impact statement outlining the five...

Improvements in Gateway District of Portland include bioswales.
November 12, 2008... Byline: Sam Bennett Because it is considered the spine of the Gateway District, Northeast 102nd Avenue is an important part of efforts to keep traffic flowing and bring new development to the area, according to city and state...

Civil construction nearly completed for WES rail between Wilsonville and Beaverton Transit Center.
November 12, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Civil construction was substantially completed for the Westside Express Service commuter rail on Friday, according to TriMet. The WES will offer rail service between Wilsonville and Beaverton Transit Center....

AHC honors preservationists with new exhibit in Portland.
November 12, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff An exhibit this winter at the Architectural Heritage Center's Meyer Memorial Trust Gallery will tell the story of Portland's grassroots preservationists. A Lasting Legacy: Historic Preservation in Portland will...

Portland-based Contact Industries gets vendor award.
November 12, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Portland-based wood products company Contact Industries has received the Gold Level Vendor Award from Marvin Doors and Windows for the third consecutive year. Marvin determines vendor qualification for the gold award...

Vancouver geo-technical firm lands $5M in ODOT contracts.
November 12, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Vancouver-based geo-technical construction firm Scheffler Northwest has landed $5 million in drilling subcontractor contracts from the Oregon Department of Transportation. The largest of the firm's new projects will...

Time to move for Portland office of Bureau of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
November 13, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf The local office of the Bureau of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is in the market for 39,000 square feet of new office space. For the last several years, CIS has occupied space within the 511 Building in...

American Council of Engineering Companies Oregon dinner to offer legislative preview.
November 13, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Marshall Coba, lobbyist for the Oregon chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies, will present a recap of the election and a legislative preview program during the group's monthly meeting on...

Commentary: Do Oregon's land-use policies work?
November 13, 2008... Byline: Edward Sullivan and Carrie Richter The legislature established, funded and evaluated the Oregon Land Use Program's Big Look Task Force. It also engaged the Oregon University System to review the effectiveness of selected statewide...

Portland Design Commission would prefer that proposed facade for book store be simplified.
November 13, 2008... Byline: Sam Bennett How do you fit a "city of books" into the city of Portland? That is the question Portland architect Ernest Munch said he has tackled with his design of a new 28,000-square-foot Powell's Books on Southwest 10th...

SMART Tower developer to give presentation on proposals for Portland's riverfront.
November 13, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report The developer behind the SMART Tower will give a brown-bag lunch presentation on his development proposals for Portland's riverfront on Tuesday. Presented by River Renaissance, the presentation is free and open...

Regional program of CICP names employee of Portland firm its chairman.
November 13, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Joel Scroggy of Portland electrical contractor EC Company has been named chairman of the Construction Industry Crime Prevention program of the Pacific Northwest. CICP, a nonprofit program, focuses on the...

Urban planning expert will make stop in Portland.
November 13, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Former city of Vancouver, B.C., councilor and current urban development and planning professor Gordon Price will be in Portland on Wednesday to give a free presentation on the effective integration of...

University of Oregon sports arena approved for permit, with conditions.
November 13, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report The University of Oregon has been conditionally approved by the city of Eugene hearings official for a Conditional Use Permit application to build its new sports arena. The decision recognizes the Arena Impact...

Albany Parks & Recreation Department plans for city's first dog park.
November 13, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report A new park being developed by Albany's Parks & Recreation Department will be geared more toward the four-legged set than the two. Department personnel will meet at 7 o'clock tonight at City Hall to get ideas for...

Corvallis developer Paul Gathercoal dies at 101.(Obituary)
November 13, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Corvallis developer Paul Gathercoal has died at the age of 101, according to the Corvallis Gazette Times. Gathercoal joined his brother James in coordinating several planned developments in Corvallis. The pair...

After years of planning, a mixed-use development on 19 acres in Wilsonville awaits city approval.
November 13, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf It's been planned for 15 years, but not until recently did a 19-acre parcel of land in Wilsonville, near the intersection of Southwest Boones Ferry Road and Southwest Wilsonville Road, look like it would finally turn...

Portland Development Commission strengthens its bid to buy Northwest Portland property.
November 14, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf The Portland Development Commission will be extending until March 21 its purchase agreement with the United States Postal Service's distribution center in order to help usher it out of its Northwest Portland property at...

'Lifestyle Plus' store in Portland features earth-toned decor, custom flooring and special lighting.
November 14, 2008... Byline: Sam Bennett Hoping to appeal to shoppers who appreciate the "lifestyle concept," the long-awaited Safeway store in the Pearl District opens today. The Safeway, at Northwest 13th Avenue and Lovejoy Street, is at the base of the...

Developer, banker emphasize prudent planning at Builder Banker Breakfast in Portland.
November 14, 2008... Byline: Tyler Graf The banking industry is against the ropes, and the development community is on thin ice, but representatives from both sectors want to make it clear that hope isn't lost. The topic of Thursday's Builder Banker...

Open houses planned in Portland and Vancouver concerning Columbia River Crossing project.
November 14, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report Two open houses on the Columbia River Crossing project will be held next month. Plans for light rail on Hayden Island and in Vancouver will be discussed, as well as a replacement bridge and the repair of seven...

American Council of Engineering Companies meeting in Portland will focus on engineering contracts.
November 14, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report The American Council of Engineering Companies' Risk Management Committee will meet on Tuesday to give advice on engineering contracts. The interactive discussion, titled Your Contract: Friend or Foe?, will...

Portland State University endowment will further study of sustainable development.
November 14, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report An endowment has been created at Portland State University to honor developer John D. Gray and support the study of sustainable development. The John D. Gray Endowment in Sustainable Development will provide...

Oregon Mortgage Lenders Association announces annual celebration event is December 9.
November 14, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report The Oregon Mortgage Lenders Association has opened registration for its annual celebration event, scheduled for Dec. 9 at the Multnomah Athletic Club in Portland. The event begins with a cocktail reception and...

Commentary: Potential traps for construction lien claimants in Oregon.
November 14, 2008... Byline: Laurie Hager Anyone familiar with Oregon's construction lien statutes knows that there are many deadlines and hoops to jump through in order to protect a claimant's construction lien rights. There are two statutory deadlines that...

DHI Water and Environment Inc. hires Robert Annear as office manager in its Portland office.
November 14, 2008... Byline: DJC Staff Report DHI Water and Environment Inc. has hired Robert Annear as office manager in its Portland office. Annear specializes in surface water quality modeling with a focus on regulatory requirements. In his new role, he...