🌳 Should Portland slash its tree code regulation team?

City Council Nixes Plan for Forest Park Power Lines

Portland City Council has officially voted to unanimously reject PGE’s proposal to install power lines through Forest Park, citing environmental risks and insufficient justification. The plan would have removed hundreds of trees and impacted wetlands. [Willamette Week]

Center Stage Needs $2.5M Before September

Portland Center Stage is facing potential closure unless it can raise $2.5 million in emergency funds this summer. The company, which is still recovering from pandemic-era challenges, is seeking community support to stay afloat amidst federal grant cuts. [Portland Business Journal 🔒]

Cutting Portland's Tree Code Regulatory Team?

Portland City Councilor Eric Zimmerman wants to cut Portland’s Tree Code enforcement team from 37 employees to just five and use the $6 million savings to avoid cuts to park maintenance. Urban Forestry says it's already understaffed for the task of enforcing Portland's extensive tree regulations. [Willamette Week]

Where's PPS's Center for Black Student Excellence?

On the news roundup, a coalition of local leaders is asking for answers on why Portland Public Schools hasn't yet established the district's Center for Black Student Excellence — even though voters approved $60 million for the project in 2020. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Last week's mural comes from the Westmoreland neighborhood, where it sits on the side of yello hair salon at Southeast Milwaukie Ave. & Yukon St.

"They're very cute cubs," writes reader Ali B.

Several of you remembered the location for the previous business in the space — Iron Horse Restaurant:

• "IIRC it was a Mexican restaurant for a long time and some folks tried to get it designated as a landmark," writes reader Branden Dross.
• "Legendary Mexican food spot: Miss those margaritas!" says reader Shannon Page.

A shoutout to our readers who correctly named the location: Ali B., Branden Dross, Eric Shidell, and Shannon Page.

This week’s scavenger hunt comes from reader Rebecca L.:

Where is this mural? Please share anything you know about it.

If you’re new to the newsletter, there’s a scavenger hunt every Friday. Please send me the location if you know it — and for unofficial bonus points, any knowledge you have about it. In next week’s newsletter, I’ll shout out the first 10 readers who respond correctly (and reveal the answer).

📸 Want to submit a photo? Please email me a snapshot of somewhere in the Portland metro area, and we’ll consider it for an upcoming “Where Is It?” segment!