Is Portland the Indianapolis of the future? Six questions for Urbanophile Aaron Renn

aaron renn

Aaron Renn of Urbanophile.com is rarely
dull and didn’t disappoint.
(Photo: Jin Won (James) Park)

For years, people have been convincing Aaron Renn to share his nuanced opinions about Portland. So last week, he finally decided to visit.

Way back in 1998, Renn launched one of the country’s first blogs so he could cover the Chicago Transit Authority. In recent years he’s been based in Indianapolis, running a data analysis startup and sharing thoughts about cities on his website Urbanophile.com and elsewhere.

After Renn returned to Indianapolis, we caught up with him by phone to get his perspectives on the truths and fictions of Portland’s reputation, the ups and downs of our bike infrastructure and his intriguing theory that Portlanders have an existential problem: we might be too similar to each other to have useful disagreements.

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Job: Web Developer – Transportation Research Education Center at PSU

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Job Title
Web Developer

Company/Organization
Transportation Research Education Center at PSU

Job Description
The Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) is the transportation research center at Portland State University. TREC houses large federal grant programs, including the National Institute for Transportation and Communities (NITC) along with smaller research programs. The mission of TREC is to advance transportation through research, education, and technology transfer activities. TREC currently operates and maintains a number of complex and dynamic Websites that provide detailed information on grant programs, projects, professional development courses, events, and other essential information. Additionally, TREC will play a role in helping to operate and maintain Portal, the transportation data archive for the Portland-Vancouver region. Portal consists of a ~3 terabyte PostgreSQL transportation data archive and web interface that provides visualization tools for local transportation professionals. Portal is a key tool used by local tr ansportation professionals to help drive decision-making in the region. This position will:

• Assist in implementation, upgrade, integration, and support of TREC-related websites and databases.
• Developing code and scripts to ingest new data sources and an interface to monitor and assess data quality.
• Design, analyze, develop, implement, and maintain enhancements to these systems.
• Troubleshoot, research, communicate, and resolve problems for the TREC Websites and corresponding databases.
• Engage with staff in the implementation and ongoing support of core Websites and databases.

Minimum Qualifications from Classification
This classification requires a basic foundation of knowledge and skills in systems analysis and related programming support functions generally obtained by a bachelor’s degree in computer science, or an equivalent amount of training and applied experience.

Additional Minimum Qualifications for this Position
At least 2 years’ professional experience in web development and support.
At least 2 years’ professional experience with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
At least 2 years’ professional experience with PHP, Python, or Perl.
At least 2 years’ professional experience with MySQL, PostgreSQL, MSSQL, or Oracle.
Experience with all aspects of Drupal (setup, optimization and configuration), custom module development, views and feature modules.
Proven ability to work in a collaborative, technical, team-driven environment.
Bachelor’s of Science

Preferred Qualifications
CodeIgniter and HighCharts experience desirable.

Total Compensation Range
The starting annual salary rate for this position will be between $50,000-$60,000, dependent upon qualifications and experience. Compensation includes an excellent benefits package including 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.

How to Apply
Apply online at: https://jobs.hrc.pdx.edu/postings/14126

Contact: Hau Hagedorn hagedorn@pdx.edu

BikePortland Podcast: What if?

Policymakers Ride 2014-49

What would happen if every local bridge were tolled?
And other speculative but interesting scenarios.
(Photo: J.Maus/BikePortland)

We spend all our time on this website writing about things that are true.

So we decided that it’d be fun to spend 40 minutes talking about things that aren’t.

In the latest episode of our monthly podcast, producer Lillian Karabaic, Jonathan and I sat down for a particularly fun game: inspired by this CityLab post, we took turns proposing improbable (but plausible) events that could change the future of Portland transportation and then making educated (though sometimes wacky) guesses about what would happen next.

We considered scenarios like these:

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Weekend Event Guide: Cross, code, fall colors, and more

Fall scenes in and around Portland-8

It’s a great time of year for riding bikes.
(Photo: J Maus/BikePortland)

Welcome to your menu of weekend rides and events, lovingly brought to you by our friends at Hopworks Urban Brewery.

We’ve only got a few more weekends before much of the colorful leaves are gone and we’re really into the winter doldrums. That’s my way of saying… Get out there and ride your bike this weekend! If nothing below suits your fancy, just head east into the Columbia River Gorge and tilt your head up and to the sides. You’ll be amazed at what you see (Alex Barr Road, pictured above, is one of my favorite climbs this time of year).

Also remember to keep your wits about you as you navigate all that slippery muck that tends to accumulate in the bike lanes this time of year. Leaves are nice in trees; but not so nice under your tires.

Have a great weekend.

Saturday, November 8th

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Our annual leaves-in-bike-lanes post

Leaves in bike lanes-2

New left-side bike lane on NW Everett is very bad right now.
(Photos by J. Maus/BikePortland)

Seems like every year around this time we have to do a post about leaves in the bike lanes.

Portland is a tree city. I love all our street trees! But they also make for messy streets this time of year when rain mixes with wind. When I’m driving my car, leaves on the street don’t bother me at all because there’s zero chance of slipping on them. I can also count on the wheels of other drivers to whisk the leaves out of the lane in very short order. Cars are great street sweepers.

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Job: Part Time Keyholder – Chrome Industries – FILLED

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Sorry, this job has been filled. Browse more great jobs here.

Job Title
Part Time Keyholder

Company/Organization
Chrome Industries

Job Description
General Summary:
Chrome is looking for a kick ass person to become the newest member of the Chrome Familia PDX. This new member will be responsible for delivering a best-in-class brand and customer experience, hitting sales goals, and creating an easy-to-shop environment. Key responsibilities will include servicing customers on the sales floor, merchandising the space and keeping it clean, supporting inventory management, and an excellent understanding of a detailed POS system.

In addition, Chrome PDX shop familia are involved in community outreach, local guerilla marketing, pre-release product testing and development, and throwing legendary parties at Chrome PDX.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities
• Deliver a best-in-class brand and buying experience
• Help to keep the shop merchandised, well-organized, and clean
• Proficiently opening and closing the store
• Self-motivated and able to motivate other team members
• Support inventory management, including counting, back-stock organization, and reporting
• Help organize and run parties, local community events, and marketing efforts
• Provide input on key company initiatives, including product development and testing
• Proficient computer & communication skills
• Reaching and exceeding daily sales goals

Requirements
• 1.5+ years retail key holder experience
• Entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to find innovative ways to drive the business
• Knowledge of cycling industry and culture
• Knowledge of retail processes and procedures
• Strong understanding of the Chrome brand
• Stoked to become part of the Chrome Familia

How to Apply
Please stop in the shop with your resume and cover letter.

425 SW 10th Ave.
Portland

Oregonians reject two politicians after bike-unfriendly statements

milwaukie-lead

“This picture is just way too awesome!” former
Milwaukie city council candidate Scott Barbur wrote on
Facebook in 2010.

Though many issues other than bikes were at play in two races decided last night, both will be familiar to many BikePortland readers.

In one of the races, donations from BikePortland readers seem to have been a meaningful factor in the outcome.

In Milwaukie, Portland’s neighbor to the south, voters overwhelmingly nixed Scott Barbur’s city council candidacy. Barbur, who took 47 percent of the vote in his previous 2012 run, was thumped with just 36 percent this time.

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Democratic Senate victories set the stage for a 2015 transportation bill

A day in Salem-6

In the balance.
(Photo:J.Maus/BikePortland)

This post has been updated after the release of results.

The key question in the Oregon legislature tonight wasn’t whether the most powerful woman in the state Senate would be reelected. Sen. Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose) was — she wasn’t even opposed by a Republican.

The question was whether Johnson would still wake up tomorrow as the most powerful woman in the Senate.

It’s looking as though she won’t.

Johnson’s power has come from her brains (they’re sharp) and from the fact that she’s the body’s most conservative Democrat by a country mile. The Columbia County legislator has been the swing vote on many issues, transportation and otherwise, for years.

But with Democrats victorious in at least two of six potentially close Senate races, it looks as if they’ll have at least 17 votes to Republicans’ 13 — enough to proceed with or without Johnson’s approval. This could make the difference on transportation-related issues like a gas tax hike (which we’re told is likely to be a major focus of the 2015 legislature) and inclusionary zoning (which would let cities build income diversity requirements into their zoning code).

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From the Archives

With six kids and no car, this mom does it all by bike