Vancouver moving forward with plans to rebuild waterfront boardwalk
The city is moving forward with plans to build a mixed-use development and boardwalk on the Vancouver waterfront directly east of the Interstate 5 bridge. The proposed Renaissance Boardwalk building will feature first-floor restaurants, at least 200 units of housing and several stories of commercial space. The project will replace a dilapidated fishing pier currently on site. City staff will work to develop a final master plan to submit to the City Council for approval this summer. (Carlos Fuentes/The Columbian)
Judge to weigh ballot measure on Clatsop County vacation rentals
A circuit court judge is expected to decide by the end of the month on the legality of a referendum on the May ballot that, if approved by voters, could threaten vacation rentals in nearly all of unincorporated Clatsop County. The referendum — Measure 4-221 — seeks to repeal an ordinance approved by the county Board of Commissioners last summer that recognized vacation rentals as a permitted use in 16 unincorporated zones in the development code. The county has said that if the referendum is successful, more than 100 vacation rentals could gradually disappear as licenses expire. (Nicole Bales/The Astorian)
Portland event will accept paint donations to save some green
The governing agency overseeing the tri-county Portland area is asking for donations of unwanted latex paint to recycle this Earth Day. MetroPaint is a paint recycling program run by Metro, the regional agency for Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties. It’s hosting the paint drive and giveaway at its outlet in North Portland on Saturday. People who donate unwanted paint can receive up to 10 gallons of limited-edition MetroPaint for free — plus a 20% discount of standard colors. (OPB staff)
Oregon’s unemployment rate dropped in March
The unemployment rate in Oregon ticked down last month from 4.7% to 4.4%. That’s nearly a full percentage point higher than the national unemployment rate of 3.5%, but it’s still well below double-digit highs Oregon reached during the COVID-19 pandemic. The state also added jobs last month, mostly in the health care and business services categories. (Chris M Lehman/KLCC)
La Grande community garden reopens after 2-year hiatus
The COVID-19 pandemic and financial woes shuttered the community garden in La Grande for two years. But with the help of a northeast Oregon nonprofit and community volunteers, the garden is set to open for the season. Chair Ellen Hartstirn said the community garden offers a number of benefits, namely increased food security. Plots are $30, but reduced pricing options are available for both Eastern Oregon University students and any individuals receiving public assistance. The garden also offers lower-cost options in certain situations. (Isabella Crowley/The La Grande Observer)
Woodburn teachers and district near formal contract consensus, avoiding strike
The Woodburn School District and its teachers union reached a tentative agreement late Wednesday night. The two parties spent more than 13 hours in a mediation session, the same day the union held a rally outside district headquarters to support teachers. The Woodburn Education Association was set to strike Monday. That’s now off. With this agreement, members will vote to ratify the contract next week. Teachers in both Woodburn and Silver Falls had both voted to authorize strikes recently. The Silver Falls School District and its teachers union reached an agreement earlier this week. (Elizabeth Miller/OPB)