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Repairing our streets, one pothole at a time
Maintenance supervisor Stacey Lauer pounds the pavement with the road crew to make Portland's transportation system safer and more reliable.
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Portland's streets take a pounding. Day in, day out, they carry untold thousands of bikes, cars, vans, buses, firetrucks and the occasional naked unicyclist. Throw in buckets of rain, tons of snow, sheets of ice, and blistering heat, and it adds up to serious wear and tear. The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) maintains 1,896 lane miles of busy streets and another 2,982 lane miles of neighborhood streets – equivalent to driving from Portland to Detroit and back. Keeping all that pavement in decent shape takes people like maintenance supervisor Stacey Lauer. Last week we caught up with her and the crew at the intersection of East Burnside and 90th Avenue, where they were repaving a damaged section of roadway. Over the roar of grinders and the whiff of hot tar, she filled us in on her work.
How long have you worked for the City? It's 25 years. I spent 18 with the Parks bureau and the last 7 here with PBOT. I started out as a utility worker in Delta Park. Learned to drive the step van, cleaned the gutters at Pittock Mansion, painted the pools, worked on the roofs, helped put up the Christmas tree in Pioneer Square. Then I moved to the heavy equipment shop, learned to drive dump trucks. I was a heavy-equipment crew leader and then became a supervisor.
What drew you to this line of work? My Dad. He owned an excavation company and I used to ride in the dump trucks with him as a little girl. When I got older, I worked for him during the summertime and at GI Joe's (the retail store) in the winter. I laid pipe, ran a steamroller, demolished houses. I used to complain that he didn't have enough work for me. He said, "If you want to work full time all year long, go get a job with the City." So I did.
Do the road crews work year-round? Absolutely. Our crews do potholes, sinkholes, base repair, ADA work, utility pavebacks, landslides, snow and ice. We also scout parade routes -- we scout the route before the event and make sure we do safety fixes.
How many potholes have you fixed in your career? Oh gosh, I can’t count them. I know the City filled about 15,000 potholes last year. Our goal is to fill them within 30 days of getting the report. Then we go back and grind them out to make a permanent fix, like we’re doing today.
How does that work? Every morning we get into work and review our priority list. We...
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The Bull Run Watershed is a beautiful, protected rainforest that provides most of Portland’s drinking water. To protect the quality of water, the public can only visit on guided tours. Join the Portland Water Bureau on a tour of the watershed to see firsthand how Portland's drinking water travels from forest to faucet. There are still spots available for this Saturday, June 21. Reserve yours now!
Not all parks are for the dogs. But Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) has more than 30 designated dog off-leash areas across the city. Since 2013, PP&R Park Rangers have been authorized to issue citations for off-leash dogs outside of designated areas, but the policy required a warning first. This made it difficult to enforce. That old policy has changed, and now there are new protocols.
Two of the City of Portland’s development review bodies published reports highlighting the best projects supporting design and historic preservation while meeting the housing and commercial needs of a vibrant urban community.
In this episode of Talking Beat, Portland Police officers Trevor Tyler and David Hughes share how friendship shaped their careers, the support they found in each other, and why the Bureau encourages recruits to “bring a friend” for a rewarding, community-focused career.
The City of Portland recognizes Juneteenth as a formal day of remembrance to honor Black American history and the end of slavery in the United States.
Facing a significant funding shortfall, Portland City Council put its stamp on an $8.6 billion balanced budget on Wednesday that delivers key services, supports public safety, addresses unsheltered homelessness and keeps open the city’s parks and community centers. Formal adoption is scheduled for June 18.
Data spotlight
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The 2025 Safer Portland Grant is an opportunity to help prevent and reduce violence: principally, gun violence through collaborative community-based prevention efforts. The grant prioritizes the following Portland neighborhoods, including: Cully; Hazelwood; Eliot; Powellhurst-Gilbert; and/or areas known for high rates of violent incidents and gun violence.
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The Portland Parks & Recreation Safe Swim hub features swim safety resources for indoor and outdoor swimmers.
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Join Rose City Self-Defense and other community partners this summer for free self-defense classes and camps for kids and teens (ages 11 and up):
Summer Camps: July 7th to 10th OR July 14th to 17th
2-part series: Mondays August 4th and 11th from 5:00 to 7:00
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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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The Focused Intervention Team Community Oversight Group (FITCOG) invites you to attend a community listening session and milestone celebration on June 26th from 6-8pm. The group will be welcoming former members, community leaders, and leadership from the City of Portland to recap the work that the group has done over the past four years.
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New job openings at the City of Portland
- Revenue & Tax Specialist III
- Review Board Coordinator (Coordinator II - CPPW)
- Urban Forest Science Specialist (Botanic Spec II-Forestry)
- Wastewater Operations Supervisor II
Featured job
The City of Portland is seeking a collaborative, strategic, and transparent leader to serve as its Public Safety Deputy City Administrator (DCA). This is a rare opportunity to shape and implement public safety priorities grounded in racial equity, social justice, and community well-being.
Reporting directly to the City Administrator, the DCA will lead strategy, coordination, and communication across the Public Safety service area, including oversight of budgeting, personnel, operations, and risk management. This role requires a systems-level thinker who can drive citywide improvements in public safety outcomes and organizational performance.
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Grants and funding
This quarterly grant opportunity offers up to $5,000 for activities that align with PCEF goals of advancing racial and social justice while addressing climate change. Created in response to community feedback, these mini grants provide an opportunity for organizations to fund a wide range of activities, including grant writing support, small projects, events, and training.
Application Submission Deadlines: July 1, October 1
This program offers up to $50,000 for each qualifying piece of nonroad equipment over 25hp or on-road dump trucks and concrete mixers. Contractors may apply for financial assistance for equipment not currently complying with Clean Air Construction emissions standards to complete engine replacement, repower, and retrofit.
Application Submission Deadline: June 20, 2025
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Give us your feedback
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A package of zoning code updates that aim to make it easier to understand and implement Portland’s zoning code has been released for public review. Give your feedback by Friday, July 18.
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Would you like to see more affordable housing in Portland? We want to hear from you! The Affordable Housing Opportunities Project is a new effort that addresses Portland’s housing needs. This project focuses on removing barriers to affordable housing production on properties own by non-profits or public agencies. Learn more and give feedback on recommendations by Thursday, July 3rd.
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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
Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) popular outdoor pools will be open from June 20 to August 22. Pier Pool’s repairs are nearing full completion, with that pool scheduled to reopen for all activities, including swim lessons, on July 14.
PP&R is committed to maximizing summer access to pools. To support community needs, Pier, Creston, and Peninsula Pools will remain open through September 5, extending swim opportunities for individuals and families into late summer. The other outdoor pools are open through August 22.
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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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