We keep hearing there is a shortage of apartments, but is there really?
I see many without lights at night or without any evidenced on decks of people living in some of these high rises. If they are rented out, usually one sees plants/chairs on decks.
Maybe these are expensive condos that are vacant?

The apartment clowns are overbuilding. Probably what will eventually happen is that the Joe Weston-type old apartments with parking will fail. But not before everyone who invests in the shiny new ones also loses his or her shirt, because rents aren't going to "pencil out."

Regardless, neighborhoods are being destroyed. That's the real tragedy.

I keep trying to persuade my wife to give the go ahead to us moving to Vancouver, Washington. I offer up the light rail connecting us to Portland if we just move to just cross the river; but she only scoffs as she should at the idea of riding a slow, slow train needing constant armed security with many of its riders positing behavior raising her anxiety level, as they could come unglued at any time especially after the sun goes down. And if the ride don't get you, waiting at a platform might.
I can't even take advantage of the stupid Croc CRC project by having the best of two worlds (no income tax and a short back and forth heavily subsidized ride to no sales tax).
If you think Hayden Island's a Lottery trick stop now wait until it is connected to the Max.

"The apartment clowns are overbuilding. Probably what will eventually happen is that the Joe Weston-type old apartments with parking will fail."

I'd like to think the new construction is going to have a lot tougher time when the rent market turns especially when they ask $2000+ for a 2 bed with NO parking vs. $900 for a 2 bed with parking in an older complex.

The builders haveto charge more to pay the go-away money (i.e SDCs and permits and fee) to the troll under the bridge (aka local government.)

Gee, sometimes it seems like Randy never left.

Best comment of the year...so far. "If you think Hayden Island's a Lottery trick stop now wait until it is connected to the Max."

Not to hijack this thread but the WES had 12 passengers on board during rush hour yesterday morning when it hit some guy committing suicide, "none of the 12 passengers were hurt" 12?

http://www.oregonlive.com/roadreport/index.ssf/2013/03/trimet_wes_service_disrupted_a.html#incart_river

Think we could hire the NO FUR clowns who ran the fur shops out of town to protest all these concrete bunkers?
I mean isn't it all about trendy and cool regardless of cost?
Could you imagine running from those clowns every time you went home or left?
There is a need young people. Get a city license a tax I.D. number and off you go. DIRTBAGS FOR HIRE.....
You are welcome.

But remember, streetcars are permanent, so the developers don't have to wring their hands over whether service will get cut if nobody uses it!

I'm beginning to think that every guy who can't make it at the local stand up comedy clubs has become a streetcar driver. They are really getting into their little announcements as they hit NW 11th & Johnson and have to warn people to either stay on the car they are on or switch to the other one. Yesterday the guy identified himself as "Captain -----" and went on and on. He wasn't funny although it was clear he thought he was and he had a captive audience. What was worse was that the guy couldn't drive. He crept and braked, crept and braked through downtown, throwing everyone off balance. Then he built up a head of steam between stops and stomped on the brake. Nice jolt when we started up again, too. If he had a trick horse, he'd have it rearing and pawing the air all of the time just cuz he could.