Eww. I hate that. Saturday Market is a staple. Even though I'm not a drum beating hippie, I still see it as a Portland institution. And I support it as it is. There are so many classic Portland environments/bars/restaurants/events that have died over the years. It makes me sad to think even Saturday Market could go.
I wonder - they are very close physically. They might be able to reinforce each other rather than cannibalize each other. barfo
I don't see anything wrong with this proposal. I think it's kinda neat that Portland will of their version of Barcelona's Santa Caterina.
That would be ideal. Then again, after thinking about it, even when this place goes live, it looks like the last place on earth a hemp weaving pot smoking drum beater would ever want to grace. I think it's ok.
Portland officials say they're bringing 500 "green" energy jobs to the city by putting a solar panel manufacturing plant out in North Portland somewhere. Exactly where, they're not saying yet, but what is already certain is that the deal comes at quite a cost to the taxpayers: The approximately $57 million package includes nearly $18 million in tax abatements, $14 million in state tax credits, a $20 million state loan and $5 million in city loan guarantees, backed by Portland parking meter revenue. That's $114,000 per job up front -- let's hope the company, something called SoloPower, actually makes it. The City of Portland part of the deal is up for a rush-rush vote by the City Council on Wednesday. This is the plant that was supposed to go into Wilsonville, through the wonders of "urban renewal." But as soon as there was talk of the public of that city actually getting to vote on the tax handouts, that was the end of that plan. So the next stop was Portland, where the people don't get to vote on anything meaningful, and when they do, they'll go for anything "green." The jobs are good news, at least in the abstract. But do not overlook that they're being bought and paid for with taxes. http://bojack.org/2011/05/taxpayers_will_dig_deep_for_jo.html
I'm not necessarily in favor of the incentives given to SoloPower - I'm not convinced Portland needs to grow. That said, bojack's objections miss the big picture entirely, while misrepresenting the details (a tax abatement is not an "up-front" cost). The big picture is the city is trying to create a green-energy hub here. If they are successful at that (big if) then the investments in the first few companies grow into a huge windfall (ha ha) as other companies form here, or move here, to take advantage of the related industry activity, labor market, suppliers, etc. It isn't about SoloPower specifically. barfo
Speaking of green-energy companies, Vistas Pearl headquarters is well underway. This is now a shell, totally gutted: . .
When was the last time any of you took a long trip down the gorge? I just came back from a trip that took me to Tri City via the Gorge. Have you seen the wind turbine "farm" on the Washington side of the gorge? It has to be around 40+ miles long. Then the Oregon side catches up about 3/4 of the way. It's amazing looking. I dig it. But what's it for?
"A century later, the harrowing flight of the survivors from Oregon was dramatized in a popular video game."
I remember driving through palm springs with my family when I was a kid. My brother was convinced that the turbines were causing all the wind.
You're gettin slow Fez! That project has been in the works for a while I actually just did a place study on that project.
