OctOber ’10 VOLUME 25, ISSUE 2 FREE Northwest Portland neighborhoo Serving ds since 1986 — celebrating our 25th year! What part of independent don’t you understand? eScO auditor booted on technicality, Neighbors reject pro-industry firms By allan Classen The Oregon Department of Environ- mental Quality has become the agency that can’t shoot straight. Earlier this year, DEQ agreed to admin- ister an independent audit of environment- impacting practices at ESCO Corporation’s steel foundry, something Northwest Port- land activists have been seeking for years. But the process was so bungled it only added to cynicism about the department’s incompetence and failure to grasp public concerns and its cozy relationship with industries it regulates. Only one candidate responded to a request for proposal (RFP) to evaluate ESCO manufacturing procedures and rec- ommend measures to reduce harmful emis- sions. Hey, you!! Your shirt’s untucked! You’re out of the game! It should have been an easy decision. For 30 years, Jim Karas has analyzed foundries and their emission controls for “I thought there was latitude to talk needed to know, he didn’t bother to try insurance requirement was too stringent. the Bay Area Air Quality Management about different limits,” he told the Exam- again. So DEQ accommodated by lowering the District. He has also done private consult- iner. “If they were really interested, they What DEQ did not tell him was that standard from $3.7 million of general lia- ing work across North America and in could have picked up the phone.” the department had engaged in open-ended bility and $3.2 million professional liability Europe, developing measuring techniques Karas struggled to grasp why his applica- conversations with other firms in an effort to to $2 million and $1 million, respectively. that are now standard in the trade. tion was thrown out on a technicality and a persuade them to apply for the second round Baldwin found the process of refin- Sharon Genasci, chair of the Northwest whole new RFP process initiated. of bidding. ing the RFP to the wishes of candidates District Association Health and Environ- “Why would you do that as opposed to In a meeting at DEQ headquarters Sept. sought out by DEQ to be strikingly unfair ment Committee, was thrilled that some- picking up the phone and talking to some- 7 involving five agency staff and five neigh- to Karas. one of his stature and public interest orien- one who actually went to the trouble of borhood representatives (plus Aubrey Bald- “By calling [the other firms], it conveys tation applied. putting together a proposal?” Karas asked win, attorney for Northwest Environmental some interest that they apply,” said Bald- But Karas’ bid was thrown out because rhetorically. “That doesn’t make any sense Advocates), DEQ staff admitted that they win, who contrasted this flexible, personal he failed to sign a cover sheet certifying his whatsoever unless they weren’t interested in sought input on reopening the bidding treatment with the handling of Karas, who insurance coverage. Karas, who has bid suc- my services.” from two firms that had failed to apply in was never called and received “only a vague cessfully on many contracts over his career, DEQ never called. A month later, it Round 1. letter of denial.” intentionally left the line blank. Consider- sent him a rejection letter. The letter also When asked why they hadn’t applied in DEQ’s letter did not even tell Karas ing the insurance levels requested to be too invited him to apply anew to an updated the opening round, according to George that the insurance standard had been low- high, he wanted to talk to DEQ before RFP. Believing the agency’s tardy and arm’s Davis, the DEQ inspector assigned to signing off. length communication told him all he ESCO, at least one of the firms said the Continued on page 20 Singer interested in share inside of parking meter revenues By allan Classen fulfill a promise to Singer, who agreed to hold off construction of a parking structure at Northwest 23rd and Irving for a year to While some merchants are petitioning to slow down plans give the mayor time to enact on-street parking controls. to install parking meters in the Northwest District, developer That 12-month deadline, announced in late 2009, is being Richard Singer is maneuvering to get a slice of the revenues. stretched, but Singer’s representative at the advisory group Chess for Success Mayor Sam Adams chairs a stakeholders’ advisory group meetings offered no complaint about the delay. Gwen Baldwin So why is losing applauded? that is reviewing a proposed system of parking meters, park- did, however, raise another point at the September meeting: PagE 16 ing permits and incentives to reduce driving, all of which will Under prior agreements, part of the meter revenues could be be governed by a locally controlled transportation and parking used “to provide financial support for creation of a limited num- Graffiti on run management association. ber of parking spaces.” Every block in Pearl ‘adopted’ The plan must be in place some time in 2011 if Adams is to Continued on page 6 PagE 7 HAuntinglY ictoriAn speciMen… V ... AculAr ArcHitecturAl The Historic Jennie Bramhall House A spoookt Featured in William J. Hawkin’s Classic Houses of Portland, OR 5125 NE Garfield Avenue It wouldn’t take much to outfit architect Alfred Faber’s 1909 cast concrete Queen Anne masterpiece as a Halloween Haunted House. Picture pumpkins aglow on the cast stone curved porches, lighting 2687 NW Cornell Road the level, lush gardens. The private patio is the perfect place for They say that renowned Architect Josef Jacobberger is haunting this corn stalks and harvest fare. Mystical light shines through the unique 1927 Craftsman but it isn’t his ghost. It is the essence of this curved, leaded, and stained glass windows. The old-growth fir ground-breaking architectural style that permeates the entire home. accents, the Richardsonian brick fireplace, the Povey-like leaded The otherworldly feeling of the dramatic views—all 4 mountains from glass built-ins and the beamed wall and ceilings are proof of a St. Helens to Mt. Hood, the NW neighborhood and the Willamette bygone era whose spirit lives on forever. The 400 Sq. Ft. studio/ River—permeates almost every room. The living room recalls a Pacific guest house is a perfect place for an inspirational artist’s loft. An Northwest lodge with the wood-burning fireplace flanked with artisan immaculate rehabilitation has taken place here and the only things hand-made tiles and hand-hewn fir wall above. The big 1,450 Sq. Ft. that really haunt are the careful improvements to the fine finishes unfinished daylight basement is pure potential and has access to the that will live on with the house. Just blocks away from many beautifully landscaped secret garden. There is nothing spooky about vibrant NE neighborhood “haunts,” it has a walk score of 94! the two view decks conveniently located off the kitchen and living 4,147 Sq. Ft., 6 bedrooms, 5½ baths. $699,000. MLS #10075729 room. Perfectly located just steps from Chapman School and beyond. 2,966 Sq. Ft., 4 bedrooms, 2½ baths. $625,000. MLS #10070617 MuHAHwHA-HAw… coMe look At Me MY prettY… Italianate Victorian in the Historic Alphabet District Her 1886 essence screAMs At You froM AnotHer erA.. But There is Nothing SCARY about this Carpenter’s Victorian 2254 NW Irving Street Victorian architectural detail—dentil moldings, rosettes, turned spindles and posts, oversized scroll brackets, and sunburst motifs—gives panache to an elegant lady now converted back to her original single- family status. Clean, light-filled rooms, with a modern kitchen makes comfortable and easy living. Her interior remains neutral waiting for your personal flair. Simply hang your art and go with the gallery look, or dress her for the ball and elegant entertaining. The 516 NW 18th Avenue deck and paved backyard offer quiet spots to enjoy Possessed by passion and history and originally standing at the outdoors. She is a wonderful home in this “hip NW 17th & Flanders, she was slated for doom and destruction. blended with vintage” neighborhood just off NW 23rd Thanks to forward-thinking neighbors, this dramatic home now in a row of Victorian style homes. stands proudly. The past and present blend seamlessly with 11' 1,944 Sq. Ft., 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 956 Sq. Ft. ceilings, pocket doors and bay windows. An updated kitchen unfinished basement, off-street parking. $499,000. with tin ceilings, granite counters & glass-front cupboards MLS #10058995 allows entertaining to go on just as it did 124 years ago. Waltz into the secret common courtyard and howl at the moon. Leave the car in the convenient driveway and stroll to First Thursday in the Pearl District. LOVE living in the Historic NW Alphabet District and all it has to offer. Walk score of 98! 1,800 Sq. Ft., 3 bedrooms, 1½ baths, off-street parking. $549,000. MLS #10058085 The Dan Volkmer Team Dan Volkmer PrinciPal broker burDean barTlem, kishra oTT & anne Yoo, brokers WalTer anD TeD, Too. For your real estate needs in the Northwest neighborhood. Call us to find out your property’s top market value. 503-497-5158 www.danvolkmer.com Anne, Burdean, Kishra, Dan, Walter & Ted 2 Northwest Examiner, OCTOBER 2010 Letters can be sent to By Allan Classen [email protected] or 2825 NW Upshur St., Ste. C, Portland, OR 97210. Editor’sEditor & Publisher Turn readerLetters should be 300 words or fewer; include areply name and a street of residence.