October 30, 2013

Early Tuesday morning, a 24-inch cast iron water main on 4th & Burnside burst -- causing road and flood damage around the main.

Crews are working hard to repair 36 feet of the main and to repave the surrounding roads. Unfortunately, the earth under the street is too wet to complete street repairs right away. We hope to reopen all lanes of Burnside by Sunday.

Neighbors and businesses in the area have been great throughout this challenging water main break, and now is the perfect time to show them our support.

Join Commissioner Steve Novick and me for breakfast at Blue Collar Bakery on SW 3rd & Pine tomorrow morning, October 31, at 7:15am.  Grab some coffee and a pastry, and help a small business. We hope to see you there!

West Burnside's eastbound lanes to remain closed for street repair from water main break

Helen Jung in The Oregonian

October 31, 2013

The water main break on SW 4th & Burnside this week has impacted travelers, neighbors, and businesses. Some nearby businesses lost power and have flood damages. On Tuesday, Blue Collar Baking Company had to throw out all their product because of the damage.

Special thanks to Warren Becker, owner and head baker at Blue Collar, for welcoming Commissioner Novick and me to his bakery this morning. Blue Collar is up and running -- and delicious!

Portland depends on its small business community. Please show them your support.

Businesses Near Water Main Break Hurting

Audio of interview with Commissioner Fish

Rosemary Reynolds and Pat Boyle, KXL News

City commissioners support Burnside businesses

KGW News

Water line break is bad deal for Blue Collar Baking and its neighbors

Wendy Culverwell in the Portland Business Journal

Portland leaders support businesses affected by water main burst

Ashley Korslien, KGW News

Businesses look to recover after pipe break

Brent Weisberg, KOIN.com

Word is Bond: Why a New Water District Might Not Save Cash: Higher Interest Rates

Dirk VanderHart in the Portland Mercury

Let's Talk Municipal Finance Late on a Friday Afternoon

Dirk VanderHart in the Portland Mercury

Businesses look to recover after pipe break

Brent Weisberg, KOIN

Portland leaders support businesses affected by water main burst

Ashley Korslien, KGW News

City commissioners support Burnside businesses

KGW News

Businesses Near Water Main Break Hurting

Rosemary Reynolds and Pat Boyle on KXL News

Audio of KXL Interview: Businesses Near Water Main Break Hurting

KXL News

W. Burnside Street eastbound will remain closed through Sunday

KGW News

Hot Story: Burnside Water Main Break

Ben Lacy KGW News

West Burnside closure through this afternoon

KGW News

Water District Backers Attracting Property Management, Industry Money. Not Much Else.

Dirk Vanderhart in the Portland Mercury

Sewage spills into Willamette River near Burnside Bridge

Tom Hallman, Jr. in The Oregonian

Reactions to Portland city auditor's blistering memo about lapses in police accountability

Maxine Berstein in The Oregonian

PSU urban planner Nohad Toulan and wife die in Uruguay car crash

Kimberly A.C. Wilson in The Oregonian

Burnside Street water main break: Westbound lanes open; eastbound lanes remain closed

Noelle Crombie in The Oregonian

The City's Water Fight Intensifies

Dirk Vanderhart in the Mercury

 November 4, 2013

One year ago, Nick was pleased to join the Goldberg family at the grand opening of Harper's Playground in North Portland's Arbor Lodge Park.

Harper's Playground is a fully accessible place for children of all ages and abilities to learn and play. The playground was spearheaded by Cody and April Goldberg, the parents of young Harper, who has a rare condition called Emanuel Syndrome.

As the former Portland Parks & Recreation Commissioner, Nick was proud to champion the unique public/private partnership that brought Harper's Playground to life. The City of Portland donated funding and staff time to build the one-of-a-kind playground.

Congratulations to the Goldberg family on Harper's Playground's one-year anniversary. We support more play for more people!

November 5, 2013

Autumn rain has arrived in Portland – and it looks like it’s sticking around.

Our urban canopy provides many benefits, including the beautiful fall colors painting the city’s landscape. Trees also help keep stormwater and pollution out of our sewer system, streams, and rivers, and they cut down on our energy costs.

But falling leaves can clog up storm drains – and flood local streets. With Fall in full gear, we need your help keeping storm drains clear!

Visit the Bureau of Transportation website to learn about keeping storm drains clear in your neighborhood, and to see if you are in a "Leaf Zone."