On November 6th, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) opened its fourth round of the Community Charging Rebates (CCR) program, which subsidizes the cost of installing electric vehicle (EV) chargers for businesses, nonprofits, public entities, Tribes, EV service providers, and owners of multifamily home complexes. Large sections of Montavilla and East Portland reside within the project's "Priority" area, and organizations that add to the charger network could receive $8,000 per Level 2 charge port installed or up to 80% of eligible expenses.

Once again, the opening of Red Shed Christmas Trees officially starts the holiday season in the area with the reopening of its Montavillage market in the Vinje & Son's parking lot near SE 78th Avenue and Washington Street. That festive start leads to the public Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, December 6th at 5 p.m. in the Public Plaza at…

Crews recently replaced the speed and red-light enforcement cameras on 82nd Avenue after Portland City officials switched vendors this summer. The pole-mounted equipment appears inactive, with the Tuffak polycarbonate lens covers still donning its logoed protective film. However, drivers can anticipate the system's activation, with a period of warning letters issued before the City switches to issuing citations for excessive speeds, failing to stop for a red traffic signal, or going through a yellow light when the driver could have stopped before entering the intersection.

On November 13th, Endless Wonders Books opened a sales corner at Hungry Heart Bakery, 414 SE 80th Avenue. The new integrated business relationship between the distinct companies adds operating hours to the storefront while offering a selection of titles featuring marginalized communities or written by authors identifying as members of underrepresented groups. Owners Zo Nicole and Mags Burke created Endless Wonders Books as a mobile and online bookstore before meeting Hungry Heart's owner, Jax Hart, at a pride pop-up event at the Jupiter Hotel.

Recently, crews working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) added a new line of street trees along NE 82nd Avenue adjacent to Glenhaven Park's parking area. The new plantings occupy a 600-foot-long planting strip created by shifting the formerly curb-tight sidewalk west, closer to a mature tree line on the city park's edge. This pedestrian update will improve the daily walk many schoolchildren take on their commute to Leodis V.

Over the last several months, crews working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) have created new segments of sidewalk along NE Halsey Street between NE 84th and 92nd Avenues as part o…

Portland transportation officials have begun public outreach and project development for the SE Stark and Washington Street Safety Project, with an expected groundbreaking in 2028. The streetscape improvement work will focus on the SE Stark and Washington one-way couplet, from 92nd to 108th Avenues, adding protected bike lanes with enhanced pedestrian crossing points and updates to transit stops. The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) also plans to upgrade traffic signal systems at six intersections.

Crews working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) activated the new left-turn signal at SE 82nd Avenue and Washington Street on November 12th, allowing left turns at this high-traffic intersection for the first time in decades. This change is part of work underway on SE 82nd Avenue around the SE Stark Washington couplet, where PBOT added center lane medians with space for street trees and raised concrete turn lane separators.

On November 12th, crews completed the installation of a roughly 5-by-10-foot art display within the Montavilla Street Plaza at SE 79th Avenue and Stark Street. The artistic representation of a historic streetcar is part of a grant-funded program titled "Meet Me in Montavilla," with a focus on celebrating the town-turned-Portland-neighborhood's diverse history while attracting present-day Portlanders to its vibrant community.

A new tattoo shop and retail storefront will open at 7925 SE Stark Street in the former Maintain Yourself PDX space on the historic downtown Montavilla main street. Blackfang Tattoos and More will have space for five resident tattoo artists, along with an all-ages storefront featuring works by local artists, stickers, clothing, plants, and jewelry. Owners Alyssa Black and Gerrit Smith live blocks away from their new shop and have strong ties to the neighborhood.

On November 1st, Holy Moly Salon and Gallery opened at 7819 SE Stark Street in the former Harashay storefront with four stations and a back wall dedicated to showcasing local artists. The owners designed the newly renovated space to offer an "elevated experience" that is approachable to area residents and serves the full spectrum of haircare desires for all people.

In 2021, two Portland restaurateurs partnered to build food cart pods that better support the local culinary entrepreneurs they host, recently opening the Hawthorne Street Food and Bar location at 4225 SE Hawthorne Boulevard. The team working under the B&U Properties name intended to open their first pod at SE 82nd Avenue and Ash Street. However, uncertainties around the former State Highway's transformation prompted them to refocus on a second site, 40 blocks west, that officially opened in April.

Q – Did Montavilla ever have streetcar service? A – Montavilla was actually served by two separate lines, plus one very short-lived one. These routes were part of the expanding streetcar service east of the Willamette to provide transit for the Portland area’s rapidly growing population of the 1880s. Montavilla’s first subdivision—and its namesake Mount Tabor Villa Addition—went on the market in 1889.

On November 1st, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) began its 2025-26 Leaf Day season. For over 30 years, the City of Portland has offered select geographic areas a curbside collection and cleaning service that prevents streets from flooding in locations that account for the majority of dropped leaves on city streets. This year, the program extends to four new Montavilla zones, assisting residents with extensive tree canopies in keeping the public right-of-way clear during the autumn season.

Starting October 26th, youth visitors to the Montavilla Farmers Market can sample a seasonal food item selected from market vendors. Participants aged two to 12 will receive $3 vouchers to spend at a farmer's booth after sampling the food. For the last decade, this program, highlighting the "Power of Produce"(POP), has run through the market's winter season. With grant funding from the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District (EMSWCD), the Kids' POP Club not only helps young people expand their tastes for fresh, local vegetables but also supports market vendors during the quieter winter months.

On Thursday, October 30th, Montavilla Brew Works (MBW) will host a food bank benefit with matched food donations to Mainspring Community Pantry and the Oregon Food Bank amid a looming food crisis brought about by the Federal Government's shutdown. Attendees can bring unexpired non-perishable food items to 7805 SE Stark Street from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the organizer will match that donation with an equivalent amount of similar food items.

As autumn rainwater grabs fallen leaves and carries them down streams formed at the road's edge, local catch basins clog, allowing puddles to form, which are treacherous for pedestrians and drivers alike. For several years, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) has asked willing residents to help keep the stormwater flowing off the streets by clearing the tops of the inlet grates and the surrounding area through its…

DEZ Development is wrapping up construction of a seven-unit townhouse project on the southwest corner of NE 72nd Avenue and Glisan Street in a primarily commercial section of the main street. This three-story building replaces a single-family home with two units facing NE Glisan Street. The remaining five homes have addresses on NE 72nd Avenue. This project maximized housing density while still offering homeownership in a walkable, transit-oriented section of Portland.

The November 4th Special Election ballot has just one question for Portland voters centered on renewing and increasing a five-year parks levy first approved in 2020. Measure 26-260 asks property taxpayers to renew the Portland Parks and Recreation (PP&R) supplemental funding source at $1.40 per $1,000 of assessed value from the previous 80 cents per $1,000. Portlanders tend to vote in favor of supporting parks.

On October 18th, La Osita restaurant completed its first week in a new location after transitioning from a renowned food cart on SE 122nd Avenue to the remodeled restaurant space in the historic Taylor Court Grocery building at 1135 SE 80th Avenue. The breakfast and lunch spot offers dishes influenced by the owner's Mexican American roots, featuring options for most diners, including several vegan items.

TriMet will close the NE 82nd Ave MAX Station elevator from October 20th to the 27th for scheduled maintenance. This Monday-to-Monday closure in this location follows months of construction that require people to walk on temporary scaffolding-style stairs to access the boarding platform and, at times, clog the bus stop pullouts above the station with construction vehicles. Riders needing to use an elevator during this time can detour to the…

Starting October 17th, visitors to select Montavilla businesses can pick up a "Fall Crawl Passport" card from participating locations and collect stickers with purchases to earn a raffle entry. Completed passports are due back at Arbor Hall on SE Stark Street or Replicant/Mudd Works Cafe by the close of the event on October 31st. During the sticker collecting and business visiting event, the Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (METBA) will also host a Trick or Treat event on Sunday, October 26th.

Crews working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will continue construction along SE Washington Street from 80th to 92nd Avenues this week with expected lane closures. Starting October 15th, contractors will apply street paint in a new configuration on SE Washington Street from SE 82nd to SE 92nd Avenues, keeping one eastbound lane open through the process. The post-repaving restripe work, scheduled to last until Friday, October 17th, will include a new bike lane and a combined bus/right turn lane.

In the bustling Shibuya section of Tokyo, Japan, PDX Taproom offers a slice of Portland craft beer culture to travelers and locals alongside a healthy serving of the City's charm. During my two-week stint working abroad, I had the opportunity to visit the ten-year-old pub started by Miyuki Hiramatsu. I found a Portland-themed establishment that accurately represents our City's brewing stature and embodies some of the Rose City's more endearing features.

A new mural by artist Jeremy Nichols adds an underwater view to the side of Ocean Blue Seafood on SE Division Street. This colorful presentation at 8335 SE Division Street transformed a blank and often tagged wall at the seafood distributor into a vibrant coral reef with aquatic life navigating the blue waters lapping at the top of the building's parapet.