City Cast Portland
Why Portland’s median home price declined 2.8%
August 7, 2023
Good morning, Portland! Multnomah County’s lack of ambulances resulted in a call involving a potential suicide being put on hold for an hour 🚨 What!?
What's CITY Talking About?
Addiction May Need Stick, Not Just Carrots
The New York Times has a policy run-down of the questions raised by the recent spate of national stories on Oregon’s drug decriminalization: Does Oregon need to push more people who have an addiction into drug rehab? Or do we just need to wait and see? [New York Times]
Median Home Price Down 2.8%
From July 2022 to July 2023, the median price of a home sold in the Portland metro area fell 2.8% to $549,990, from $566,000 a year ago, according to data from Regional Multiple Listing Service, which tracks real estate sales. The decline is partly a result of changes in interest rates: the 30-year mortgage rate is now 6.9%; it was 5% last year at this time and 3% two years ago. [Willamette Week]
Wrongful Convictions Due to DMV
Because of failures in the DMV’s recordkeeping, at least 50 people in Washington County and 30 people in Clackamas County were wrongfully convicted of driving with a suspended license since 2010. In Columbia County, a man served a year in jail over a wrongful conviction. The problem stems from the DMV’s failure to properly record the start and end dates for license suspensions, incorrectly marking eligible drivers as ineligible. [Oregonian]
Three Years Into a Reform DA
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt talks about how his approach has changed in the face of the pandemic, a backlog of cases, and the opioid crisis, which all helped send crime in the city skyrocketing. [City Cast Portland 🎧]
Where Is It?
Portlanders love their dogs — and last week’s scavenger hunt was for a statue meant to honor a local furry friend. The English bulldog, Zelda Wisdom, was the inspiration for a line of greeting cards, appeared on “Oprah,” and is commemorated with a statue in front of the Heathman Hotel in downtown. In 2010, the hotel welcomed Zelda in part to advertise its “pet-enthusiastic” policies.
Congratulations to those who guessed correctly: Julie Burton, Nanci Courtney, Brooke Weeks, Brian Finlayson, Madhavi N., and Marc W., who wrote: “Zelda! She sits outside the Heathman Hotel entrance. I walk by her several times each week and say hello as I pass.”
This week’s scavenger hunt is a spot a lot of Portlanders know. Hint: it should have water around this time of year. Do you know where this is?
What To Do
🎸 Michael Franti & Spearhead | Tuesday | 6:30 p.m.
The Bali-based singer-songwriter has a sound that borrows from funk, soul, and pop. [$79.57, Forest Grove]
🐐 The Mountain Goats | Wednesday | 6:30 p.m.
John Darnielle’s latest album, “Bleed Out,” is all about revenge. Go find out why! [$62.26, Downtown]
🧑🎤 Band-Maid | Friday | 8 p.m.
The all-women Japanese rock band is on its 10th-anniversary tour. [$41.90+, Downtown]
Today on City Cast
District Attorney Mike Schmidt on Dealing With Record Crime
When Mike Schmidt was elected district attorney in 2020, he said, “Multnomah County has just embraced the most progressive DA platform that this state has ever seen.” But since then, the pandemic, a backlog of cases, and the opioid crisis sent crime in the city skyrocketing. Today DA Mike Schmidt talks about how his strategy as the region’s top prosecutor has evolved in the face of these challenges.
It’s really like a baton being handed off from runner to runner. We grab the baton after the police officers make an arrest. Without an arrest, without evidence, there is no prosecution.
I’ll see you tomorrow!
— Rachel Monahan
Edited by Adrian González and copy edited by Giulia Fiaoni
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