🚴‍♂️ The Naked Bike Rides feud

💸 Skyscraper Changes Hands After Financial Pressure

Ownership of Block 216, the new skyscraper that houses the Ritz-Carlton hotel, has officially been transferred to the lender, Ready Capitol. This is the second time local real estate firm BPM Real Estate Group has lost a prominent downtown Portland property to financial issues. Ready Capitol says the mixed-use building will continue to operate as usual. [Oregonian 🔒]

📚 Police Recommend Changes to Central Library

Following pressure from the Portland Metro Chamber, Portland Police Commander Brian Hughes has recommended Multnomah County install metal detectors, remove outside benches, and turn off Wi-Fi afterhours at the Central Library. There was a fatal shooting near the library this month and the branch has been facing issues with drug use and violent behavior. [Willamette Week]

🔎 Audit Finds Inequity in County Jobs

There are unique workplace disparities for Asian, Black, and LGBTQ+ employees of Multnomah County, according to a new report from the county auditor. The audit found that the Sheriff’s Office, the county library system, and the health department had the most inequity of the county departments. [Oregonian 🔒]

🚴 The Naked Bike Ride Fued

Portland is hosting two naked bike rides within two weeks of each other, and tensions are getting high over which one is the real naked bike ride. Willamette Week arts and culture reporter Rachel Saslow went on the City Cast Portland podcast to cycle through the differences between the two rides. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

My mom used to say that construction was a good thing – it's proof that the city is changing, growing, and hopefully improving. She would often say this while in standstill traffic as we navigated hard hats and road closures.

I personally think that growing pains deserve a few gripes – especially when it comes to commutes:

Inconsistent Road Closures

Owen Gail, owner of Shirtzenpantz, certainly has a bone to pick with the Southwest Capitol Hill Road closure – particularly at the cross streets with Barber Boulevard.

“It says 'road closed,' but only sometimes is the road actually closed. But the first sign always says 'road closed.’” Gail reported. “It's been closed about 20% of the time, so I still take the risk of turning and going that way, but it's a thorn when it actually is closed. And then I have to turn around at the big kosher Safeway and drive on this weird path, and usually I am running a little late.”

Come on, Portland! Keep it consistent.

Baseball & Bridges

Portland Mercury music editor Nolan Parker is already griping about the traffic nightmares that the proposed new MLB stadium will cause.

“Where that space is in Southwest on the river — that is going to be such a disaster, especially considering that we're about to have several years of construction on the Burnside Bridge,” Parker told us. “It is going to be the worst cluster that Portland has ever seen.”

Portland still has a few years until this is even a possibility. The Burnside Bridge isn’t set to close for construction until 2028, and if Portland is awarded an MLB team, the stadium construction won’t break ground until 2027. Nevertheless, Parker had a point when they said, “The traffic will affect the entire city.”

What grinds your gears about Portland right now? Please share your view with us.

Each week, we’re hearing about favorite local spots and organizations from City Cast Portland Neighbors. It’s a special perk for members, but it’s also a great way to get to know our city. Today, we have some food-and-drink-related shoutouts:

• Brave Neighbor Coffeehouse | “Come make a new friend and be a brave neighbor! Brave Neighbor Coffeehouse is the living room of the Boise neighborhood ✌🏻” — Edward P.
• Every Child Oregon | “Shoutout for providing love, care and support for vulnerable children and families in Oregon.” — Ruth C.
• Jupiter Hotel | “Shoutout to Jupiter Hotel: unapologetically Portland and radically inclusive. Turning up the volume on culture & community since way before it was cool.” — Jess B.

Become a City Cast Portland Neighbor today to share your own shoutout in this newsletter and on the podcast!