🏡 How to spur more housing in Portland

Oregon Saw a Spike in Overdose Deaths

From September 2022 to September 2023, Oregon and Washington were the states with the biggest increases in overdose deaths. The new data add to the political pressure on the Oregon Legislature to address the fentanyl crisis. [KGW]

• Related: Between 2019 and 2023, Oregon saw a dramatic 1,500% increase in fentanyl deaths — more than any other state. That’s partly because the state’s overdose rate used to be among the lowest. Now Oregon is in line with the national average. [Oregonian 🔒]

How To Spur More Housing

Building codes exist to keep everyone safe, but developers have argued they slow development. Portland Mercury reporter Taylor Griggs joins the City Cast Portland podcast to discuss City Hall’s push for more housing. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Sam Adams, Former Mayor to County Commissioner?

In preparation for an apparent run for Multnomah County commissioner, former Mayor Sam Adams is challenging Mayor Ted Wheeler’s public narrative. Wheeler has said that he fired Adams last year over allegations that Adams was bullying female staffers. Instead, Adams has offered evidence that his resignation preceded Wheeler’s action by a matter of days. [Willamette Week]

• Key background: Adams didn’t run for a second term as mayor in 2012, after revelations that he had a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old state legislative intern. But Adams has remained interested in returning to public office. He failed in his last bid for office (a 2020 City Council seat).

Ambulance Contractor Blamed

Ambulances’ slow response times are the fault of the Multnomah County’s contractor, American Medical Response, says County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson. "AMR's conduct in this crisis is irresponsible and unacceptable,” she says. Vega Pederson won’t support a proposal to immediately change the staffing levels on ambulances but will move next month to collect more than $1.6 million in fines already levied on AMR if the company doesn’t address the crisis. [Portland Tribune]

Last week’s scavenger hunt was for Portland Wine Company, on Southeast 50th Avenue. Their tasting room serves local Oregon grapes, including Love and Squalor wines. “Well worth your visit. Great wine and nice people,” writes Hey Portland reader Heidi Reichelt.

A shoutout to the other readers who identified the location too: Jim Hawley, Theresa Beck van Heemstra, Taran Nadler, Danielle Gabriel, Carol Pullin, Jenny Taylor, and Bobbie Bowser.

Thanks again to reader Erica Blair for the Portland Wine Company suggestion and photo. 

I welcome your ideas too for the next scavenger hunt; just send me an email with a photo. In the meantime, here’s one from me:

Hint: This spot has earned a mention in a recent newsletter, though not today. It’s also possible to visit without seeing this back room. Do you know where it is?

Also, I’m curious: Did you like it? What’s your review of this place? (Mine, in two words: delightfully different.)

Are Strict Building Codes Blocking Housing?

Our city isn’t building enough housing. And some city leaders and developers blame strict building codes for delays. But aren’t building codes there to keep us safe? Portland Mercury reporter Taylor Griggs talks about what this push to build more and faster means for the long-term safety and future of our city.