In today’s news, proposed homeless shelter cancelled, Metro examines Portland’s housing crisis and Google Fiber is on hold.
1. Terminal 1 homeless shelter nixed
Yesterday, developer Homer Williams announced his plan to have Ibrahim Mubarak, cofounder of Right 2 Dream Too, manage the homeless shelter at Terminal 1. Hours later, Housing Commissioner Dan Saltzman said the city’s bid to open the winter shelter had been withdrawn, the Portland Mercury reports. Saltzman said the shelter, modeled after Harbor of Hope in Texas, wouldn’t be ready in time. Plans for a winter shelter have yet to be released.
2. Metro releases comprehensive housing affordability report
The four-part news series, chock full of graphs and charts, explores the regional housing crisis: causes and possible solutions.
3. Google Fiber plans on hold, indefinitely
This announcement won’t come as a surprise to Portland fiber hopefuls. Google first announced a launch delay in July to explore cheaper installation alternatives. The Oregonian reports the Google executive overseeing the program is leaving Portland, and Google is now exploring its fundamental approach to fiber.
4. In other Google news, Google Express expands to Eugene
Google’s home delivery service allows customers to shop for a variety of goods through participating retailers such as Costco and Whole Foods, the Register Guard reports. Google Express was first launched in 2013.
5. U.S. Senators push for Northwest wave energy center
The Department of Energy will award $40 million to build the test center. Oregon is competing with California for the award to fund construction of its Newport wave center, six miles off the coast. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley were joined by Washington and Alaska U.S. senators, arguing Oregon has gained acceptance for the project, reports the Portland Business Journal.
6. OHSU awarded funding from Dept. of Defense
The university is part of a national team researching ways to improve trauma care. The Oregonian reports the decade-long contract is worth about $90 million. The University of Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania and the University of Colorado are also on the research team.
7. Can Oregon become the cannabis capital of the world?
A recap of our Hot Topics/Cool Talks forum on the fast growing marijuana market.
