JUNE 10 VOLUME 24, ISSUE 10 Serving Portland’s Northwest Neighborhoods since 1986 FREE The Decorated Dozen LNG JULIE KEEFE plant in ‘hood By Paul Koberstein Many Oregonians have been fighting to defeat recent proposals to build liquefied natural gas terminals in rural parts of the state, but they may they have overlooked an even greater potential threat—an exist- ing liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant built nearly 50 years ago in the industrial sanctuary of Northwest Portland. This plant, owned and operated by Northwest Natural, has achieved an “impeccable” safety record, according to company officials, surviving several small earthquakes without incident since its construction in 1969. The plant, however, has never been tested by a major earthquake, such as the predicted Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake—a magnitude 9 event that 2010 Northwest Examiner Community Award winners is given a one-in-three chance of hap- Back row (L-R): Elaine Mann, Phil Geffner, Don Kruger and Dylan Lawrence (accepting for his mother, Laura pening in the next 50 years, according to new research published by Oregon State Russo). Middle row: Frank Weigel, Thomas Manley, Mary Peveto, Paul Koberstein. Front row: Jan Valentine, University. Donna Matrazzo, Juliet Hyams and Quinn Rohlf. See full coverage page 6. The blue-colored, domed tank, having a LNG capacity of 7.35 million gallons, sits just south of the west end of the St. Johns Bridge. Geologists have suggested that soils in the immediate area footing both the bridge and the tank could liquefy dur- st ing prolonged shaking, possibly resulting 21 Avenue gets national in their failure. The gas, chilled to minus 266 degrees Fahrenheit, is condensed to a ratio of 600:1. Seven million gallons of LNG is praise, scant local protection equivalent to 4.2 billion gallons of gas at Continued on page 8 By Allan Classen Famed urban planner/architect Andres Duany visited Portland last month and fell in love with Northwest 21st Avenue. He called it the “glory of Portland” and the 21st and Johnson crossing, in particular, the “quintes- sential Portland intersection.” Duany, a leader in the international New Urban- ism movement, was in town for several speaking engagements, and his comments on 21st Avenue were part of a lecture at Metro headquarters. Duany praised the blending of “great old com- mercial buildings” and multi-story apartment structures on the avenue, resulting in a self- sustaining level of density, manageable parking demands, affordable retail rents and a compatible mixture of uses. Ironically, the qualities that most impressed the famed architect counted for little with the Food on foot Jay Beaudoin, owner of Reflections in Time (with his dog Lucy), a fixture for 22 Portland Bureau of Development Services, which years along Northwest 21st Avenue have been evicted to make space for an auto Cooks with carts crop up Continued on page 24 painting booth. PAGE 16 PARADE AROUND YOUR LEVEL HALF WAVE TO THE SAILORS ON THE BALCONY AND ACRE UNDER THE STARLIGHT VIEW THE FLEET ON THE WILLAMETTE RIVER 7907 NW Gales Ridge Lane When was the last time you could walk a half acre level yard at 1000-foot elevation? Custom built for the current owners in 1993, 2336 SW Cactus Drive this spacious home was designed to reflect the style and quality This sleek, light-filled condo, with panoramic city and mountain of detail found in Connecticut colonials. The center hall floor plan views, offers an ideal floor plan with elegant spaces for with 9-foot ceilings, pocket and French doors, and Georgian-style entertaining or casual impromptu gatherings. The beautifully windows allows natural light to flood every corner. The master updated kitchen opens to the dining area with access to the suite is the entire northeast side of the second floor with beautiful big 4-mountain-view deck. Situated in a prime location near treed outlooks, a walk-in closet, and his and hers vanities in the Washington Park, with off-street parking and around the corner bathroom. The lower level has 8-foot ceilings, insulated outer walls, from all of the neighborhood’s cafés, shops, boutiques, parks and plumbing for a full bath, ready for your creative plans—media & transportation, just move in and enjoy the view in one of room, bedrooms, workout area—you choose. Portland’s most sought-after neighborhoods. 3 bedrooms, 2 full and 1 half baths, 5,365 total Sq. Ft. on 1/2 acre 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 1,000 Sq. Ft. plus view deck, 2 storage level lot. MLS# 10041266 $695,000. units, and 1 deeded parking space. MLS# 10043135 $285,000. THE R OSE F ESTIVAL ART SHOW OULD E C B HELD IN T HIS VENUE DESIGNED BY DICKEL AND HUNTINGTON 1814 NW 28th Ave Featured in HGTV’s “Homes Across America,” this unique home was transformed for the current owner from a generic rowhouse into a classically regal showplace with master interior designer Mirza Dickel. Wallace Kay Huntington, Oregon’s legendary landscape architect, designed the private outdoor terrace. Location is tops—one block west is the entrance to Portland’s urban wilderness, Forest Park, with trailheads to miles of hiking or biking. A half block south awaits the trendy Thurman Corridor, a cornucopia of delightful neighborhood essentials—organic grocery, wine store, French bakery, health spa, coffeehouses, art galleries, bike store, dry cleaners, restaurants, and more. Freeway access is 5 short blocks away. Art collectors, cooks, bon vivants and lovers of urban life will all love this unique home. 3 bedrooms, 2 full and 1 half baths, 2,719 total Sq. Ft. MLS# 10040918 $615,000. WALK TO THE ROSE GARDEN FROM THE OF ORTLAND HEIGHTS QUEEN P GRAND FLORAL WALK FROM YOUR FRONT DOOR TO THE STREETCAR TO THE PARADE 1725 SW Prospect Drive Portland’s most renowned architect, A.E. Doyle, created here a harmonious marriage of grand and majestic spaces with the soul of 2387 NW Northrup Street, #3—The Grace a place that feels like home. Grand millwork and inlaid oak floors are This wonderful historic building has the charm and details of a throughout, and you can see the huge rhododendrons that line the New Orleans-style building in the French Quarter. The unit boasts yard out of almost every window. The living room’s diamond-paned oversized rooms filled with the original woodwork, moldings, windows frame city and mountain views, and the dining room has and pocket doors. The cozy kitchen has tile countertops, period- original secret panels that some say were used to hide wine and appropriate cupboards, a gas range and new laminate flooring, and spirits during Prohibition. On a secluded lane peering over the the bath has a pedestal sink, and claw-foot tub with shower. The city and mountains with convenient access to downtown Portland, bedroom has an at-the-beach feel, with painted floors and natural Washington Park, and the International Rose Test Gardens, this light streaming in. Ideally located near the Historic Alphabet District, special home is available for the first time in 42 years. you’re mere blocks from wonderful parks, cafés, eateries, boutique 4 bedrooms, 3 full and 1 half baths, 5,369 total Sq. Ft. on a 1/4 acre shopping, transportation, and culture. lot. MLS# 10030983 $1,095,000. 1 bedroom, 1 full bath, 787 Sq. Ft. MLS# 10043838 $175,000. 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, JUNE 2010 Letters can be sent to By Allan Classen [email protected] or 2825 NW Upshur St., Ste. C, Portland, OR 97210. EEditorditor’s & Publisher Turn Letters should be 300 words or fewer; include a name and a street of residence. Deadline third Saturday of the month. Freeway capping possible I was pleased to see the editorial on the I-405 Freeway [“I-405 created per- manent scar”] in the April Examiner. In case you haven’t seen it, here’s a link to a website I created showing a freeway cap project in Columbus, Ohio, that might serve as a model for Portland: http//sites.google.com/site/freewaycaps/ When the saints go riding on Dan Friedman I used to have trouble understanding bicyclists using the park would multiply SW Park Ave. the often-manic behavior of Portland if more trails and facilities were built for bicyclists, but lately my eyes have been them, as if all would see that as an unal- City defends decisions opened. Bikes here are not merely a mode loyed blessing. They have equated more In response to your May 2010 article titled “City lets Pearl developer slip of transportation; they’re a religion. bicycle commuters with fewer cars on our between tracks,” I thought you would appreciate some additional information as I should have picked up the clue three streets, less petroleum consumption and follow-up. years ago when they began an annual fewer greenhouse gases. Amen to that, but First and foremost, all of the interior work associated with the permit in ques- Blessing of the Bikes ceremony at St. in their evangelistic fervor, they assume tion was for life/safety, seismic and ADA upgrades. All of these areas of work are Mary’s Cathedral. I thought it was cute, that more bike riding anywhere—even in exempt from the valuation threshold trigger for right-of-way improvements. As so I ran a picture in the paper.