Laurelhurst Votes Loud And Clear
May 30, 2017 was an important day for our neighborhood. With a record voter turnout, Laurelhurst residents elected a new LNA board that will lead our neighborhood as we face the daunting, neighborhood-threatening challenges of demolition and re-development, of camping and of crime. Over 828 ballots were cast. This is more votes than in any LNA election in the neighborhood's history. The large meeting room at All Saints Church was completely full, standing room only. The el
VOTE On May 30!
Please VOTE for the Laurelhurst Neighborhood Association board on May 30, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, All Saints Church. Historic Laurelhurst is proud to support these candidates: President: Scott Pratt (read his Open Letter to the neighborhood here.) V-P: Jeff Martin Treasurer: Mike Dubinsky (incumbent) Secretary: Jim Edelson (incumbent) SEUL Rep: Carol Hanna NE Quad: Rick Briasco (incumbent) NW Quad: Barry Kast SE Quad: Becca Smith-Morg
"The Last Shot"
This is a heartfelt and intensely personal video from a Portland native who is trying to document through photographs his city as it is being demolished.
A National Register Historic District Stops Demolitions
One of the biggest concerns that Laurelhurst residents have is demolitions. There has been recently some misinformation spread about whether a historic district will prevent demolition. Certain groups are claiming that a National Register Historic District will not prevent demolitions. Below is a summary of the facts, prepared by the city of Portland. Click on the image to download the document (it'll be easier to read). A historic house is protected by demolition review if
Why A Local Conservation District Won't Stop Demolitions
A glossy four-page flyer from a group opposing Historic District is being distributed in our neighborhood. That flyer says "No one wants to see homes in Laurelhurst demolished". No disagreement there. That group says that Laurelhurst should be protected with a special district. That's what we've been saying all along. However, that group doesn't want Laurelhurst to become a National Register Historic District. They propose instead that our neighborhood become merely a "loc
The Demolition Epidemic: How Developers Are Tearing Down Affordable Housing Faster Than Taxpayers Ca
Home demolitions don't only threaten the historic character of neighborhoods like Laurelhurst. They destroy affordable housing all over Portland. Prolific infill developers are tearing down thousands of smaller, less expensive houses to build large, expensive "speculative houses". Our city needs affordable housing. Portland voters recently passed a bond that will eventually build 1,300 affordable housing units, at the cost of over $258 million in property taxes . But in t
Election 2017 - A Crucial Vote For Laurelhurst!
On May 30 at 7 pm, our neighborhood goes to the polls to elect the new LNA board. Yes, we know, in years past the LNA elections have been tepid affairs. Some of us have never voted or noticed that there was a vote. This year is different. Our neighborhood faces major challenges, and this election will determine how we handle them. One challenge is demolitions and destructive redevelopment of our historic neighborhood. We have a chance to do something about that. If you are
A National Register Historic District Does NOT Come With "Federal Rules"
A quick post to clear up some mis-understandings . . . Some people think a "National Register Historic District" means the neighborhood is subject to a raft of "Federal rules". That is NOT true. Here is the word from the National Park Service: "What are the restrictions, rules, regulations for historic property owners?
From the Federal perspective (the National Register of Historic Places is part of the National Park Service), a property owner can do whatever they want with
House Demolitions And Historic Districts - An Interview.
House demolitions, affordable housing, historic districts' and House Bill 2007 were discussed on Jim Lockhart's local cable access program "A Growing Concern". Meg Hanson, a local researcher, and Manda Blum of the Eastmoreland historic district effort, and host Jim Lockhart, had a thoughtful, thorough, wide-ranging, and hard-hitting conversation about how these issues are all inter-related and why House Bill HB2007 will make things worse, not better. Read more about how to op
