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Planning to swim, paddle, or play in the Willamette River? The river is generally safe for swimming and recreation, thanks to decades of infrastructure investments like the Big Pipe Project. We test the river’s water quality every week at popular recreation spots, from late May through September. See the results on the Check the Rec webpage.
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The small business whisperer
Creativity and enterprise run deep in Portland's identity. But launching a small business isn't easy. Business liaison Jon Bebe with the Office of Small Business at Prosper Portland helps entrepreneurs get off the ground, unlock capital, navigate permits and make their ventures thrive.
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Tech startups. Food carts. Hot sauce. Microbrews. Crazy folding gadgets. New ideas -- and the entrepreneurs who turn them into reality -- are the life force of Portland's local economy. But entrepreneurs face a lot of challenges. That's where Jon Bebe (pronounced "Bee-bee") comes in. He's part of the brand new Portland Office of Small Business at Prosper Portland, the economic development agency for the City. As a business liaison for District 1 and District 3, he helps local entrepreneurs make their ventures thrive. We caught up with him last week to find out how that works.
What is a business liaison, anyway?
I'm like an air-traffic controller. I help business owners navigate the resources we have for them at Prosper Portland. We meet owners at all stages of business development. Some are pre-launch, some are in transition, some want to sell their business. We have resources to help all of them, whether it's access to capital, lining up permits, finding mentors, whatever. We help folks get educated and empowered.
Help me understand the stuff about permitting. Let's say I find a great old industrial warehouse and I want to start a coffeeshop.
First thing I'd say is, are you married to this space? Are you so in love with it that you can't see your coffeeshop anywhere else? Before you sign the lease, you've got to find out if the space is zoned for a coffeeshop. If it was a coffeeshop before, and you can just turn a key and open the door, that's great. But if it was an old printshop, we have to talk to the building owner. They might have to get a change of use permit. They might have to get seismic retrofitting. They might have to upgrade the grease traps and the hood. So how many chips do you have to lay on the table to put your steampunk coffeeshop in this location? Let's add that up before you sign that lease. And let's get things rolling so you aren't paying rent while you're waiting for permits. We want you to get in there and generate revenue right away.
I'm getting stoked already! Have you done this before?
I've been a BIPOC entrepreneur in Portland since 2004. I was part of a wave of madcap makers and doers in that era who all wanted to explore Portland's weirdness and the loveliness. My friends were all makers. They made reusable grocery bags, or sustainable wallets, or leather goods. I was a business guy. My job was to help their dreams make them money, not make them broke.
What do successful entrepreneurs have in common?
They have this incredible talent. They have passion. And they have a strong relationship to their business.
You mean they think about it night and day?
Not exactly. I said a strong relationship, not an unhealthy relationship. A strong relationship is when you know you can't do it all by yourself. You're willing to improve, you're willing to engage with a team, partner with mentors. You want to make the thing that you love even better. That's a strong relationship. An unhealthy relationship is when you're so myopically obsessed that you're not willing to take guidance, or feedback, or support. You could be really good, but that's only going to take you so far.
You make it sound like couples therapy.
I have a master's degree in counseling from Portland State. And I use that on a daily basis. Nothing is more emotional than money. Tie in this life goal of running a business. Tie in partners and suppliers and customers and yeah, that's counseling.
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Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and Gov. Tina Kotek unveiled an ambitious project to speed up housing production. The State will help Portland clear its permitting backlog so builders can break ground quicker. The City will reboot a self-certification program to cut delays and encourage builders to turn office towers into housing. Wilson and Kotek also reaffirmed their commitment to kickstart 5,000 housing units by waiving system development charges.
Forecasters are predicting hot weather this weekend. Check out these tips on how to stay cool in extreme heat. Find cooling centers, fountains, splash pads, and places to swim. Keep your home cool. Check on your neighbors. Stay hydrated.
The City of Portland and its economic development agency, Prosper Portland, agreed to a $2 million settlement with a group of Black residents and descendants from the Central Albina neighborhood who were displaced by urban renewal projects dating back to the 1960s. The agreement is pending approval by the Portland City Council.
City staff and community partners came together for the ‘Partners in Home Repair’ event at the Portland Building last month. The event offered an opportunity to share resources and knowledge, and to make new connections. As stated on the agenda, “We know that home repairs are complicated and layered and it takes all of us!”
Data spotlight
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12,110 is the number of 911 dispatches that went to Portland Street Response in 2024. Portland Street Response is a part of emergency response system. We assist people experiencing mental health and behavioral health crises. One of our goals is to handle calls where no crime is being committed. We can offer support with EMTs, crisis responders, community health workers, and/or peer support specialists. This reduces the number of calls that go to police, helping police respond to higher priority issues faster. Learn more at the City's performance dashboards.
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Commute downtown with Portland Bureau of Transportation and City of Portland employees on one of nine unique bike bus routes on the morning of Wednesday, June 11! Each bike bus will depart from their start location at a different time and arrive at Salmon Street Springs at 8:15 a.m. Once at Salmon Street Springs, enjoy coffee, treats, and chat with PBOT staff.
A bike bus is a group of students—but in this case, adults—biking to school—but in this case, downtown—together. Bike buses have been around for decades, but they have become increasingly popular in recent years.
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This month’s Office of Violence Prevention's Community Peace Collaborative forum will have special events dedicated to Wear Orange, a national movement for gun violence prevention awareness.
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This summer, Safe Blocks invites you to bring the party to your neighborhood! From August 1 through August 14, 2025, neighbors all across Portland will be hosting block parties to connect, celebrate, and build stronger, safer communities. Registration is open now through June 27, 2025.
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Fitness in the Park is back for spring and summer 2025! Beginning May 12, we invite you to participate in group fitness classes taught by some of your favorite Portland Parks & Recreation instructors at three outdoor locations: Irving Park, Ventura Park and Mt. Scott Park.
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New job openings at the City of Portland
- ADA Ramp Designer (Engineering Associate, Sr-Civil)
- Business Systems Analyst II
- Program Coordinator III
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Give us your feedback
The Portland Police Bureau directs member action through its policies, procedures, and rules, as found within directives. The Second Universal Review and public comment period are open through June 18 for: Duty to Report Potential Exculpatory Evidence
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Serve on a board or committee
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Do you live, work, or play in East Portland? Portland Housing Bureau and Prosper Portland are setting up Community Leadership Committees to help develop action plans for three Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts - 82nd Ave, Sumner-Parkrose-Argay-Columbia Corridor, and East 205.
Deadline extended to June 16
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Not sure what district you’re in?
Check our district map to find your district and your City Councilors.
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Request an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for any City of Portland program, service, event, or activity. To ensure the best response, please make your request at least five business days before the program or event, if possible. |
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Your Portland moment
She’s come a long way
Built in 1894, the same year this photo was taken, the Washington Park Reservoirs brought Bull Run water to Portland’s west side. But over time, the open-air reservoirs, though picturesque, became vulnerable to contamination and landslides. So in 2016, we began construction on a new, underground reservoir.
Completed in 2021, the Washington Park Reservoir serves water to more than 360,000 people and is designed to withstand major earthquakes.
This summer, visitors can enjoy the new park space on top of the reservoir, which includes two reflecting pools, a wildlife habitat area, and public walking paths.
Check out the new site at our grand opening celebration on June 14!
Learn more at: portland.gov/resopening
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Traducción e Interpretación | Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch | अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या
口笔译服务 | Устный и письменный перевод | Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad
Письмовий і усний переклад | Traducere și interpretariat | Chiaku me
Awewen Kapas
Translation and Interpretation: 3-1-1
The City of Portland ensures meaningful access and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, call 311 for Relay Service or TTY: 711.
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