How downtown Portland is about to get even worse

Highest Downtown Vacancy Rate in the Country

Downtown Portland has the highest office vacancy rate in the country, according to real estate company Colliers, which looked at the 50 largest U.S. downtown office districts. For Portland, the analysis included Downtown, Old Town, and the Pearl District and found that the area had a 30.2% vacancy rate at the end of 2023, up a few percentage points since the previous year. Notably, analysts expect the Portland market to get even worse, unlike some other cities that are starting to climb out of the pandemic-fueled exodus from offices. [Oregonian 🔒]

DA Mike Schmidt Explains His Reversal on Drug Decriminalization

Multnomah County Mike Schmidt explains why he supported reforms to Measure 110 after he campaigned four years ago on his support for drug decriminalization. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Markham Won’t Reopen Till Late Fall (at Earliest)

The winter storms damaged Portland’s Markham Elementary School so badly that it closed in January. And now Portland Public Schools officials say it won’t even be repaired in time for the start of next school year. Students are currently spread out between four other schools, and repairs on the Markham building won’t be ready for students until late fall at the earliest. [KGW]

Oregon First Lady’s Staffing

Oregon First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson has a security detail from the Oregon State Police when she represents the governor’s office — about once a month. She will also be attending the National Governors Association’s First Spouses Retreat this week and will have two state staffers with her as well as a security detail. The governor’s office released these details after three high-profile staff members left their jobs, at the same time Gov. Tina Kotek has given her wife a more official role in the governor’s office. Kotek Wilson will not receive any compensation. [Willamette Week]

Last week’s scavenger hunt included a stern message about an addictive substance — for the kitty cats. If you’re looking for this catnip, you’ll find it at the Tony’s Garden Center on Southeast Holgate Avenue in East Portland.

A shoutout to readers who identified where you can find this warning: Paul Diener, Susie, and Carrie Cole Brantley.

Yikes, what would happen to a picnic table during an earthquake? This sculpture is just one of a series of whimsical, if eerie creations. Have you seen it before? Where? And what do you know about these artistic creations? Email me the answer.

DA Mike Schmidt on Measure 110 and Workplace Complaints Against Him

When Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt was voted into office back in 2020, he won in a landslide. He campaigned on a progressive platform, including support for Measure 110. But now, running for reelection, he has walked back his advocacy for key parts of drug decriminalization. Today, Schmidt explains what got him to change his mind on Measure 110 and what his office is doing on hate crimes and workplace complaints.