Construction

The Deschutes River through Bend will look unusually low again this fall and winter

Experts say there isn't a quick fix to undo decades of underbuilding. But there are steps policymakers and Oregonians can take.

A recent city poll of local housing developers identified some new building requirements — ranging from mandatory bicycle parking spaces to bird-safe windows — as policies the city should suspend to accelerate housing development in Portland.

A new Oregon State University study shows an increased number of traumatic injuries on the job as the temperature rises, with rates higher among agriculture and construction workers.

The audit found projects in need of permit approval are routinely hit with longer-than-expected wait times. According to the audit, the city has not reached its timeliness goals for initial review once in the last five years. In 2019, the city provided an on-time review for 27% of new commercial construction projects. For new residential projects, that figure was 7%.

The bureau raises nearly all its own revenue — 98% of its funding comes through construction permit fees. But in the midst of a pandemic, demand for big commercial projects like office buildings or hotels, which are capable of generating sizable permit fees, has plummeted.

A Portland summer camp teaches girls to use power tools. Also, an appeals court ruling may change the kinds of billboards we see in Oregon. And how has legal marijuana affected tourism in the state?

New homes are getting built, but is it enough? What will our cities look like when self-driving cars really become a reality? And the young Oregonian behind the Sunshine Girl YouTube phenomenon joins us to talk about her latest book.