Latest news with #PBOT
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ombudsman calls for amended Portland towing contract after complaints of overcharging
PORTLAND, Ore. () — An investigation has determined that Portland's inconsistent towing practices disproportionately impact some drivers after vehicle collisions. The Office of the Ombudsman launched the investigation after receiving a complaint in February that claimed Elite Towing & Recovery tried to charge a resident $1,657 to recover their vehicle from a tow yard. While the individual negotiated a fee of $920, the revealed the lower cost still represented about 40% of their monthly earnings — and they would have been charged an estimated $535 under the city's current contract with tow companies. Parents out thousands as Beehive NW closes abruptly The Portland Bureau of Transportation manages the city's tow contract, and generally advises officers to call for hazard tows in the event that a vehicle is blocking traffic. However, the ombudsman noted that Portland police sometimes opt for private request tows to help drivers following a collision. 'The police said they want to avoid a punitive citation when the motorist did nothing wrong,' the investigation reads. 'The paperwork requirements to retrieve a car after a hazard tow can also be a barrier for economically vulnerable vehicle owners who cannot readily provide a copy of the title with their name on it and proof of insurance. Many people living on the street cannot meet the paperwork requirements and lose their vehicles.' Although PBOT told the ombudsman that law enforcement is 'using a work-around that was never intended,' the watchdog maintains that the police directive doesn't prohibit officers from utilizing private requests. The ombudsman also maintained that Elite Towing is entitled to charge higher fees, as private requests are not covered by the city's contract. But investigators also noted that most other companies voluntarily keep their prices around the same cost that the city charges. Elite's median towing fee of $1,893 was almost five times higher than that of their counterparts throughout the first quarter of 2025, the report claimed. According to the ombudsman, Elite's owner defended the prices by saying the city's towing rates don't cover the actual cost of services. The owner added that other agencies, like Oregon State Police and the Clackamas County Sheriff's, charged up to three times as much as Portland officials. Portland filmmaker receives Emmy nod for Celine Dion documentary Investigators later asked Elite to comply with local contract rates and offer partial refunds to complainants, but claimed the company neglected to respond. KOIN 6 has reached out to Elite for comment as well. The ombudsman has advised PBOT to amend the towing contract to also cover private requests. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
St. Johns Bizarre seeks alternative options for lighting that could ‘diminish' event
PORTLAND, Ore. () — The future of a long-running North Portland event could look different as organizers work to negotiate ongoing changes brought on by a local group and the city. Since 2007, the St. Johns Bizarre has brought crowds of people to the historic neighborhood to enjoy live music, support small businesses and foster community. But organizers say the St. Johns Boosters Business Association and the Portland Bureau of Transportation have decided to install three new light poles in the center of the downtown plaza, which is the hub of the gathering. 7 Portland weekend events, from Father's Day Cruise to 8 Seconds Rodeo Shamus Lynsky, who has volunteered for the event since its inception, told KOIN 6 that organizers were informed of the upcoming installations in January when plans were already solidified. 'We all want the same thing,' Lynsky said. 'We're all there to shine a light on what a wonderful neighborhood we have and to… celebrate our community. So it's really unfortunate that this miscommunication happened and we just couldn't have been brought in earlier.' The co-organizer highlighted the event's growing success over the past several years. The 2025 'bizarre' brought in a lineup of regional acts like Black Belt Eagle Scout, Shabazz Palaces and Federale. While Lynsky noted that PBOT and boosters have suggested alternative options for the stage, he said each suggestion would 'diminish' the event in some way. Portland leaders address community ahead of weekend demonstrations For example, moving the stage to Philadelphia Street could impact access to an emergency lane in the area. Organizers also remarked that relocating from the current space contradicts what the event sets out to achieve: activating the downtown plaza. Tanya Hartnett, St. Johns Booster's project manager for the lighting installation, told KOIN 6 the current placement is due to limitations from pre-existing utility lines and tree codes. 'We have to face the fact that the placement is caused by limitations beyond anyone's control and that we are putting the lights up for the good of the community,' Tanya Hartnett added in an email. 'We support the Bizarre and are thankful they put on this amazing event each year. We do not want this project to be an 'us' against 'them' scenario, and we do not want anyone to be the enemy on this.' Lynsky said he supports the effort to boost lighting in order to prevent illegal activity and improve public safety, but he wants to find a solution that maintains an open plaza for the North Portland neighborhood's largest event. St. Johns Bizarre earlier this month, asking community members to urge city leaders to reconsider the lighting installation. But local boosters have fundraised and planned for the current placement for several years, PBOT revealed. Conservationists try to stop PGE appeal tied to Forest Park transmission line project 'We delayed installation of the improvements to accommodate the St Johns Bizarre event earlier this year,' the bureau noted. 'The Portland Bureau of Transportation is installing new lighting in the plaza in the locations necessary for optimal safety and to make way for utilities and other infrastructure. We look forward to working with the event organizers so they can understand their options.' According to Lynsky, organizers are slated to meet with city leaders and other stakeholders later in June in hopes of finding an alternative solution. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Neighbors, PBOT fed up with NW 13th outdoor plaza
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Outdoor dining spots became quite popular during and since the COVID-19 pandemic. They popped up around the city and many restaurants continue using the extra, outdoor space. But neighbors who live near the Northwest 13th Avenue Plaza said things have gotten out of hand. 'It was a great idea. And certainly during pandemic, everybody was all for it. But it's now, it's really just become an extension of this restaurant,' said neighbor Steve Heard about the outdoor seating at River Pig. 'People don't know what to do. Then you've got this little narrow area here, like, the fire trucks can't get through here. And it's just been kind of a mess.' The Portland Bureau of Transportation, which regulates the outdoor seating areas, said the structures like the one at Northwest 13th Avenue were that officially began in 2023. Stone Soup Cafe offers 'workforce culinary training' However, some of the restaurants' permits expired in December 2024. PBOT gave them deadline extensions for several months but told them fines were possible. In May, began getting fined $500 weekly. On June 1, the PBOT $500 fines became daily. Ramzy Hattaar, who owns River Pig, told KOIN 6 News he's been trying to work with the city. The restaurant filed for another permit, he said. 'I think the biggest issue, and what people are misunderstanding is, you know, we're not opposed to a standardized solution,' Hattaar said. And, he said, he needs more time. 'We need to find a way to afford to make the changes and have it not collapse our businesses and still want people to come down to the Pearl District during the summer months,' he said. Though PBOT declined an on-camera interview, they did provide answers in an email. 'The three businesses have not complied with plaza requirements, despite a year and a half of notice and four deadline extensions,' spokesperson Dylan Rivera said. 'Portland Fire & Rescue raised concerns about the roofs of the large structures creating fire hazards, the blocking of a building fire escape and inability to access fire department water connections on the building facade.' PBOT said the three businesses are River Pig, Papi Chulo's and The Star. Because the businesses 'have not complied' with 'PBOT will be moving forward with the removal of these plaza blocks due to lack of compliance, declining public support at this location, and ongoing maintenance and operations issues.' Rivera also said these structures at the Northwest 13th Avenue Plaza are also too big. 'As we stated in a notice in April, if the businesses did not come into compliance by May 11, weekly fines would begin, and if they did not come into compliance by June 1, daily fines would begin,' Rivera said. River Pig's Hattaar said the soonest he can get a contractor he can afford to take down the outdoor seating will be June 9. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Portland Aerial Tram to close for Memorial Day weekend
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Portland Aerial Tram, which takes commuters back and forth from the South Waterfront to Marquam Hill, will be closed for Memorial Day weekend starting Friday, according to the Portland Bureau of Transportation. Beginning at 7 p.m., the closure will allow for crews to replace the tram's carriage, which officials say must be rebuilt and tested every six years. They add this time of year is 'when the tram experiences lower than normal use and also closes for the national holiday.' Portland city workers vote to authorize strike, impact may be 'drastic' During part of the closure, PBOT says that shuttle service will be offered Friday from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Riders can catch a shuttle at the Whitaker Lot on the South Waterfront and OHSU Kohler Pavilion turnaround on Marquam Hill. According to PBOT, the pedestrian bridge through the OHSU Kohler Pavilion garage will still be open for access into the main hospital buildings from OHSU Casey Eye Institute and the lower Campus Drive. However, the upper tram platform and tram elevator will be closed for safety purposes. The tram will officially reopen at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
North Portland ralliers: ‘We are not a Sacrifice Zone'
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — People who live in this region understand that, at some point, a major earthquake will rock the area. Most of the time, talk about damage is centered on the major infrastructure and bridges that connect various parts of Portland. But the 20,000 people who are residents on the St. Johns Peninsula in North Portland are saying loud and clear, 'We are not a sacrifice zone.' Donna Cohen, who founded the , led the dozens of people who gathered Sunday to shine a spotlight on the fact they would be cut off and stranded from even a small quake. 'We are connected to Portland by 4 small bridges that are over 110 years old,' Cohen told KOIN 6 News. 'PBOT has evaluated these bridges and told us they are all going to collapse even in a minor earthquake. In fact, they may collapse before. One of them is already weight restricted.' Portland is America's cleanest metro area She said the other sides of the peninsula will liquefy, damaging all the structures and roads. Their only way out would be over Columbia Boulevard or Lombard Avenue. But there's a problem. 'They are not emergency routes because they go over the railroad cut. The bridges will collapse, we will be trapped, blocking about 20,000 people, workers and residents in the Rivergate Industrial area who will be trapped here after the earthquake.' But it gets worse, Cohen said. 'We live across from the which is where 90% of Oregon's fuel is stored,' she said. 'If the CEI hub ruptures – which it probably will – a toxic cloud could very well come across here and we will have no escape. So this is really a dire, life-and-death situation.' Cohen and her group, supported by , support written by . That bill provides '$5 million so that we could start planning for a new bridge over the railroad cut at Columbia Boulevard,' she told KOIN 6 News. But it's stuck in the Transportation Committee and her group is urging lawmakers to move it along to Ways and Means and then pass it before this legislative session ends. Frederick, who was at the Sunday rally, said elected officials are beginning to see how important this issue is. 'We have now started to see that we have to be ready for emergencies and we need to know how to deal with emergencies and make sure people are safe,' Frederick said. 'These folks see that. They're making their voices known. That's the key element.' The current KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this issue. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
