Nearly $29 million awarded to Phoenix affordable housing projects
State grants totaling $28.8 million will help bring 160 units of rental housing to Phoenix, Oregon, for people earning less than 60% of the area’s adjusted gross median income. The Oregon Housing Stability Council has awarded $13.5 million for Pacific Flats, a 72-unit development, and $15.3 million for the 88-unit Phoenix Corner project. Both developments will have several multi-story buildings, with construction expected to begin in 2024. The projects will be built by private developers in partnership with qualified culturally specific organizations. (Tony Boom/Rogue Valley Times)
The Oscar B. is facilitating Columbia crossings during a bridge closure
The Lewis and Clark Bridge connecting Longview, Washington, and Rainier, Oregon, is closed until Monday for construction. Until then, the Wahkiakum County Ferry, also known as the Oscar B. ferry, is filling the gap connecting Cathlamet and Westport. (William Seekamp/The Columbian)
Umatilla tribes get money to boost air quality monitoring
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is awarding more than $45,000 to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to collect air quality data in underserved areas of the reservation. The tribes are also looking at air quality impacts from wildfires and other disturbances in parts of the Columbia River Gorge where the tribes have treaty fishing rights. (Phil Wright/East Oregonian)
Springfield requests state ethics investigation into Lane County Commissioner
The city of Springfield has asked for a state ethics investigation into Lane County Commissioner David Loveall, who also serves on the board of the Springfield Economic Development Agency. Springfield City Attorney Mary Bridget Smith has asked the agency to determine whether Loveall used confidential information learned at a closed-door executive session of SEDA to benefit his own private business, Masaka Properties, LLC. Loveall is suspected of telling his business partner, Robert Miller, that plans to build an eight-story apartment building in downtown Springfield had fallen through. The project would have been funded in part by a $10 million loan from SEDA. (Chrissy Ewald/KLCC)
New trailhead, hiking trail and viewpoint open at Silver Falls State Park
A new way to experience Silver Falls State Park opened Monday, with a new trailhead parking area and hiking trail open to the public. The North Canyon Day Use Area is on the park’s north end, or “Silverton side,” off Highway 214. It has a parking lot that can hold 59 vehicles and a new half-mile trail to a striking viewpoint of North Falls. The new trail is ADA-accessible. (Zach Urness/Salem Statesman Journal)