A Halloween-themed psychedelic adventure in Portland

Halloween-Themed Psychedelic Adventures

One of Oregon’s largest psilocybin centers — the Sacred Mushroom, located in Old Town — is part of a publicly traded company and is trying to turn a profit by attracting customers interested in fun (not just the therapeutic impact of the drug), with Halloween and Super Bowl-themed gatherings. [Willamette Week]

Hundreds More Armed Security Guards

The number of armed security guards in Oregon has risen 39% since 2020, according to official state data. Possible explanations include police staffing shortages that have led private businesses to turn to the private sector, as well as major events like the U.S. Olympic track trials in Eugene that required security. [Willamette Week]

A Sale Price That Was $222M Lower

If you needed more proof that office vacancies have lowered the value of Portland commercial real estate: Northwest’s Montgomery Park office building sold earlier this month for 87% less than its 2019 price. Portland real estate investor Jordan Menashe paid $33 million — $222 million less than it sold for in 2019. [KOIN]

I wrote this week on my favorite bit of new infrastructure — a traffic light at a bike route crossing 🚲 — and asked for your gripes and shoutouts in your neighborhoods:

Shoutouts

• 🚲🚶 “We live on Capitol Hwy and are more than pleased with the results of the two-year project between Multnomah Village and Barbur Blvd. adding sidewalks and bike paths and stormwater diversion.
  
  “Where there used to be a dirt or mud trail on one shoulder of the road (The Goat Path) with a few people braving it every day, there is now plenty of foot traffic with families out with strollers and dogs. Where a biker had to slowly climb the grade in traffic, they now have a dedicated path. As a senior and a biker, I appreciate both.
  
  “Not only were the results pleasing. The city did a good job gathering input before they began. During the construction there was consistent communication with impacted neighbors. Sometimes PDX does get it right.” — Chris H.
• 🌳 “[I] have been happy to see some improvements on Southeast Flavel in my neighborhood of Brentwood-Darlington. New sidewalks and a fresh crosswalk have brightened up the place. Also: if you haven't been to the new Errol Heights park, it's finally done! Legit wildlife viewing at certain times of day, including a heron, deer. I think I might have seen an otter? And of course the resident peacocks of the neighborhood (IYKYK). — Roxane T.

Gripes

• 🚲🚗 “Check out the pedestrian-bike suicide lane through Harold Kelly Plaza in the Hollywood district: one of the few ‘green’ spaces in the neighborhood. [Also:] The city turned stretches of Northeast Hancock, between Northeast Cesar Chavez and Northeast 45th, into one-ways because there was ‘too much vehicle traffic.’ Drivers are frustrated as they circle blocks or cut through parking lots.” — Anonymous