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Jonathan Bach

@jonathanmbach.bsky.social
1.4K followers 217 following 519 posts

Housing reporter for The Oregonian "High Desert, Higher Costs: Bend and the Housing Crisis in the American West" (OSU Press) tinyurl.com/mrx84282 Banner photo: Molly J. Smith Photography

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Reposted by Jonathan Bach
Michael Andersen @andersem.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I have a confession to make. The townhomes I & others spent most of a decade trying to legalize are popping up all over Oregon & elsewhere...and I love that...but they're a problem in one big way. (get ready for a twisty thread about the housing report @sightline.org just published)
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
New for @oregonian.com: Residents of the largest Home Forward-managed apartment building express deep concern about living conditions within Hollywood East, which towers over Portland's Hollywood District. www.oregonlive.com/business/202... www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywns...
youtube.com
Mysterious deaths, violence, drugs haunt apartment complex managed by Portland housing authority
YouTube video by The Oregonian
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Reposted by Jonathan Bach
The Oregonian @oregonian.com · 24/09/2026
Home Forward's Hollywood East houses vulnerable seniors amid violence, drug activity, pest infestations and frequent deaths. mrf.lu/2mxp0
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Reposted by Jonathan Bach
Suzette Smith @suzettesmith.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
As the paper’s arts & culture editor, I’ve spent years arguing that art is necessary in our lives, so when I met an example of that during a particularly tragic and horrible time, I decided to pony up and write about it.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Sunset on a marina outside Baltimore:
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
I've long loved the iPhone camera for many reasons, including letting me not get run over when I see a cool shot from the middle of the road.
The sun goes down on downtown Portland.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Sistine Chapel cat
An orange cat poses as if instructed by Michelangelo
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
When the former mill superintendent thinks about the hulking riverfront property, he says it’s like seeing an elephant you cared for be turned over to another keeper, only for the animal to endure neglect. On Monday, he said, they finally put the poor thing down. www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
oregonlive.com
RIP Centennial Mills: From international flour supplier to ‘demolition by neglect’
Decades of failed redevelopment plans and neglect culminated in a blow to Portland's cultural heritage.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Ex-Home Forward leader investigated for lavish travel spending www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
oregonlive.com
Ex-Home Forward leader investigated for lavish travel spending
Oregon ethics officials launched an investigation into former Home Forward leader Ivory Mathews.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Tarek Anthony, Beth Nakamura and I went to the Centennial Mills demolition to give you multiple angles as they blasted the water tower. @oregonian.com story: www.oregonlive.com/business/202... Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DMQ...
youtube.com
Water tower explosion kicks off demolition at Centennial Mills
YouTube video by The Oregonian
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Portland police said Tuesday that a semi-truck crash in downtown Portland that sent three people to the hospital and spilled grain across South Harbor Drive was likely caused by mechanical issues with the truck, Tarek Anthony reports www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
oregonlive.com
Mechanical failure likely behind downtown Portland crash that spilled grain, police say
A grain-hauling truck overturned after colliding with an SUV near Southwest Naito Parkway and Market Street, shutting down Harbor Drive for hours.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Air quality is not great in downtown Portland due to the wildfire smoke. Took this near the newsroom.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
A fast-moving fire tore through the long-abandoned Centennial Mills site that fronts the Willamette River along NW Naito. w/ Tatum Todd and Mary Mooney: Photo by Tatum Todd www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Habitat for Humanity says it is building its largest Oregon project to date in SW Portland: www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
oregonlive.com
A Portland church sold 5 acres. Soon, 52 affordable homes will rise there
Habitat for Humanity is building for-sale homes on former church land in southwest Portland, marking its largest project in Oregon to date.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
From @lmonghughes.bsky.social and me: The number of empty low-income apartments in Portland remains virtually unchanged from when the @oregonian.com first reported on the vacant units last December. www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
oregonlive.com
Months after promises to fill 1,900 empty affordable apartments, numbers haven’t budged
As homelessness rises, Portland recently hit a record-high vacancy rate in its affordable housing supply.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
The Portland Housing Center has changed its name to "Arrive." It's also expanding its mortgage lending and brokering operations statewide to bring in fresh revenue and to navigate federal CDFI changes: www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
oregonlive.com
Portland Housing Center becomes Arrive, expands statewide as buyers priced out of city
Arrive, formerly Portland Housing Center, is expanding statewide to help buyers priced out of Portland. It plans to targets the state's rural reaches.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
What's the best writing advice you ever got? No wrong answers. Tell me: 👇
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Amaterra Hospitality Group said Wednesday it bought the RiverPlace Hotel. The company is the parent to Amaterra Winery in Portland’s West Hills and Amaterra Kitchen + Social Club in Bend. www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
oregonlive.com
Winery owner buys Portland riverfront hotel
Amaterra Hospitality Group has acquired Portland’s RiverPlace Hotel, aiming to enhance its waterfront presence.
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Reposted by Jonathan Bach
Mike Rogoway @rogoway.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Big news from @matthewkish.bsky.social
oregonlive.com
Jury awards plaintiff at least $7.5 million in punitive damages in sex discrimination lawsuit against Nike
An eight-person jury on Tuesday ruled in Heather Hender’s favor after an acrimonious six-day trial.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
After yearlong lull, Portland moves to foreclose on 15 nuisance properties www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...
oregonlive.com
After yearlong lull, Portland moves to foreclose on 15 nuisance properties
The action follows reporting by The Oregonian/OregonLive that showed the city’s lax enforcement against what neighbors call “zombie homes.”
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Went on the walking tour led by Tory Campbell and others from 1803 Fund of The Low End: www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
oregonlive.com
1803 Fund shows vision for newly acquired 7 acres in lower Albina
1803 Fund officials on Monday toured civic leaders around their recently acquired seven acres in lower Albina.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
🫠 www.oregonlive.com/realestate/2...
oregonlive.com
Mortgage rate climbs to highest level in nearly a year
The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate climbed this week to its highest level in nearly a year, driving up borrowing costs for prospective homebuyers.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
The thing I love about journalism camp blog posts is, they let us range broadly across the nourishing fields of nonfiction. I wrote about my in-laws' cat. (thx @tysonalger.bsky.social for the edit) www.oregonlive.com/hsji/2026/07...
oregonlive.com
The cat appears
Each morning and evening I filled a small bowl for her. Each time I returned from the journalism camp I was attending across Corvallis, the food had vanished.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
The city of West Linn says it plans to open a public hearing for a proposed 11-acre redevelopment despite a new law that limits public testimony on most new housing developments. How? Let people talk about the retail component. www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
oregonlive.com
West Linn says it will allow testimony on retail, not housing, in 320-unit proposal
The bedroom community south of Portland is turning into a test bed for Salem’s attempt to end public hearings for most new housing developments.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
HB 4037's changes to public hearings law violate the state constitution, argues West Linn residents' lawyer. Rep. Marsh's response: “If people believe the law is unconstitutional or want to challenge the law in some other way, then there are pathways to do that.” www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
oregonlive.com
Oregon law ending public hearings for most new housing is ‘blatantly unconstitutional,’ lawyer says
An Oregon law, effective July 1, limits public input and appeals on most new housing developments. West Linn neighbors are lawyering up.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
The street map of LA in my dad's head beats Apple's
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
The Portland City Council unanimously rejected appeals Wednesday of a plan to redevelop the Lloyd Center mall, devastating ragtag coalitions who want to preserve its ice rink and few remaining shops. Councilors are scheduled to finalize their decision July 29. www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
A "Save Lloyd" campaigner in a pink shirt awaits a decision by the Portland City Council on appeals of the Lloyd Center master plan Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Jonathan Bach/The Oregonian
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Portland council tentatively rejects the Lloyd Center appeals. They're scheduled to finalize their vote July 29
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
U.S. Custom House is on the market, price "subject to offer" www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
oregonlive.com
A stately Pearl District building hits Portland’s grim office market
There’s no telling what U.S. Custom House will fetch. But it’s a good bet, based on recent Portland office prices, it'll be less than it's last sale.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Trump Makes a Call and U.S. Soccer Gets a Star Back—and the World Cup Is Raging www.wsj.com/sports/socce...
wsj.com
Trump Makes a Call and U.S. Soccer Gets a Star Back—and the World Cup Is Raging
Folarin Balogun is cleared to play after the president asks FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to reconsider a one-game ban.
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Reposted by Jonathan Bach
The Oregonian @oregonian.com · 05/07/2026
Thousands crowded onto the Hawthorne Bridge in downtown Portland to watch Fourth of July fireworks as the U.S. celebrated its 250th birthday. theoregonian.visitlink.me/kc4qyU  📷: Jonathan Bach
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Can a property be worth negative dollars? @editorswindler.bsky.social and I delved into the curious case of the Clackamas County courthouse: @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
oregonlive.com
Here’s why the old Clackamas County courthouse sold for $100,000
Clackamas County sold its old courthouse for $100,000, even after a 2022 appraisal had valued it at $6.4 million.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Thousands crowded onto the Hawthorne Bridge in downtown Portland to watch Fourth of July fireworks as the U.S. celebrated its 250th birthday. www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
oregonlive.com
Hawthorne Bridge draws thousands for Portland fireworks show
Thousands crowded into downtown Portland to watch Fourth of July fireworks.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
If you wanted to watch fireworks in the Portland metro, the NWS says it should be a great night for it www.oregonlive.com/weather/2026...
oregonlive.com
‘Perfect Fourth of July night’: Portland clouds should clear before fireworks shows
“To me, it’s a perfect Fourth of July night,” said a meteorologist.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Kimco Realty has listed for sale its Jantzen Beach Center Home Depot for $41 million. www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
oregonlive.com
North Portland big-box store marketed for $41M
A New York real estate firm bought the Jantzen Beach Center outdoor shopping mall in 2017.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
The Society Hotel in Old Town-Chinatown has hit the market, according to a new listing. www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
oregonlive.com
Owners of Society Hotel put historic Old Town property on the market
Because the hotel is independently operated, the listing says, new owners could easily keep it as a boutique hotel or convert it into apartments.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Donald Kenney, a partner at the Suttle Lodge & Boathouse, is a key partner behind the push to revive the former Forest Park Drive-In space in the northwest Portland hills. www.oregonlive.com/dining/2026/...
oregonlive.com
Prominent restaurateur is behind push to revive Forest Park Drive-In space
A partner in central Oregon's Suttle Lodge is behind a push to revive the dilapidated Northwest Skyline drive-in.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
"Among workers within 10 years of turning 65, the median retirement savings is just $30,000."
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
A scrolling play in two acts, from hope 😀 to hopes dashed 😭:
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
At the Portland City Council's Lloyd Center hearing, a person requests to go over time, goes about 20 seconds over time before mic is cut off, stands up and starts signing "Big Yellow Taxi," is escorted by security from council chambers.
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Reposted by Jonathan Bach
Zane @zane.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
It's 2045. You approach the Gen Alpha bouncer with a Paw Patrol/Punisher tattoo. They take a dismissive glance at your BeReal "Shouldn't you be home watching video essays about the Cartoon Sponge?" You begin to weep, your reply barely audible over the bass beat: they used to sell duvets here
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Darcelle XV Plaza is open!
Darcelle XV Plaza, a park in downtown Portland, celebrates a ribbon cutting with lots of attendees
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
New from @oregonian.com: A quick video breakdown of my recent story that shows how nuisance complaint enforcement is slowing in Portland Story here: www.oregonlive.com/business/202... Video produced by @oregonianguy.bsky.social www.youtube.com/shorts/onFAm...
youtube.com
North Portland ‘zombie house’ deteriorates while city enforcement slows
YouTube video by The Oregonian
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
City of Portland contractors Thursday began cleaning the graffiti from the former Gordon’s Fireplace Shop building, a property now known for its heavily tatted exterior visible from Interstate 84 and surrounding environs. Photos by @mark-w-graves.bsky.social www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
oregonlive.com
Contractors clean graffiti off this iconic Portland eyesore property
Contractors are preparing the Northeast Portland building for a second life as permanent supportive housing.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
George Crandall, the architect largely responsible for Portland’s iconic Big Pink skyscraper, died Tuesday. He was 88. h/t @brianlibby.bsky.social for the assist on Crandall's biography www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
oregonlive.com
Portland architect who designed state’s largest tower dies at 88
The architect who shaped Portland's skyline and helped create walkable downtowns across Oregon spent his final years consulting on urban planning projects until his death from cancer.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Firefighters have responded at least 3x to a vacant St. Johns home since 2017. It has 15 nuisance complaints on file back to 2000. “At some point, someone has to be responsible,” said one neighbor. “The city has created the environment for nothing to happen.” www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
oregonlive.com
North Portland ‘zombie house’ deteriorates while city enforcement slows
Neighbors in St. Johns say they're at their wits' end after a predawn fire ignited at the vacant house known for squatters.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
New from @shanedkavanaugh.bsky.social and me: Innovative Housing Inc., which manages more than 1,000 low-income units in the Portland area, tells city leaders it is on a collision course with financial insolvency, records show. www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
oregonlive.com
Major Portland affordable housing landlord could close in 6 months, leader tells city
A Portland housing nonprofit has spent more than $1.3 million on private security since 2023, its executive director told city leaders.
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
nice pun
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Jonathan Bach @jonathanmbach.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
I wrote a book chapter about LIHTC and this @opb.org @tonyschick.bsky.social story well articulates the inefficiencies of the tax credit: www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
A low-income housing program is pouring big money into housing many Oregonians can’t afford
Nearly 2,000 of Portland’s subsidized units sat vacant and unused at last count. The same situation has repeated from Seattle to the San Francisco Bay Area to Denver. Economists and other academic res...
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