Councilor Olivia Clark

10/16/2026

As Portland’s representative on the League of Oregon Cities board, I am in Salem today with Councilor Smith for the league’s 101st annual conference.

I spoke at a breakout session called “What Do Cities Prioritize When Facing a Financial Cliff?” Monmouth City Manager Rochelle Anderson moderated a robust conversation with Keizer Mayor Cathy Clark, Gold Hill City Manager Lily Morgan, and Baker City Manager Barry Murphy.

10/16/2026

The Transportation System Plan (TSP) is the 20-year plan to guide transportation projects, programs, policies, and investments in Portland. Right now, the 2045 TSP is matching up the amount of money the City anticipates being able to get over the next 20 years, with a list of the most important infrastructure improvements we can make for our system.

Your feedback can help us shape this list. We're hosting four in-person open houses, one in each district, and an online open house to get your feedback. We'll be asking Portlanders to review the project list and share which ones they think are most important. Your feedback will help PBOT decide which projects to prioritize with the funding expected to be available over the next 20 years.

Open houses are drop-in events, so come anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. You do not need to stay for the full two hours.

Mark your calendars for the in-person open houses. The online open house opens on Oct. 19 and will stay open into December. Details at https://www.portland.gov/transportation/2045tsp-committee/tsp-fall-engagement

Sign up for TSP email updates at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORPORTLAND_ENT/subscriber/new?topic_id=ORPORTLAND_ENT_796

10/16/2026

My latest newsletter includes information about Portland Public Schools’ two “rightsizing” proposals; an amendment package I helped pass to increase safety and transparency at the CEI Hub; promising recruitment numbers from the Portland Police Bureau; exciting new structures across the city to help children with cancer, people with behavioral health challenges, low-income families, Latino entrepreneurs, and students of art and design.

Click here to read and subscribe!

October 16th Update from Council Vice President Clark City of Portland, Oregon sent this bulletin at 10/16/2026 06:00 AM PDT Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. [email protected] Instagram ...

10/15/2026

This Saturday online or in person: Portlanders who live, work, play, study, or worship in District 4 are invited to participate in a Community Roundtable about the City’s work to create a Unified Housing Strategy.

https://www.portland.gov/phb/events/2026/10/17/community-roundtable-unified-housing-strategy-district-4

10/15/2026

Today my office attended an open house celebrating the major rehabilitation of Rose Schnitzer Tower, a 235-unit affordable senior housing community in downtown Portland.

The $9 million rehabilitation will preserve long-term affordability and federal rental assistance for low-income seniors for at least the next 20 years, while bringing important improvements to building systems, accessibility, safety, and resident comfort.

Robison Jewish Home, the longstanding steward of Rose Schnitzer Tower, helped lead this important rehabilitation. This building now will be preserved while strengthening its ability to provide safe, welcoming, and affordable homes for seniors.

10/14/2026

This week I joined Portland State University President Ann Cudd in celebrating the grand opening of the Jordan Schnitzer School of Art, Art History & Design!

This is PSU’s first mass-timber structure, utilizing wood sourced from sustainable forest land, and one of the nation’s largest purpose-built art school structures. The new building, which is two blocks away from Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at PSU, combines five existing art facilities serving PSU’s 1,200 art majors and faculty.

Jordan Schnitzer has deep family ties to the neighborhood. In 1905 his Ukrainian immigrant grandfather rented a small one-bedroom home near the site, where he went on to raise seven children who attended Shattuck Grade School and Lincoln High School, now Lincoln Hall at PSU.

10/13/2026

This week I joined the Port of Portland and the Portland Street Art Alliance for the unveiling of “Going Places,” a mural at Portland International Airport celebrating the transportation legacies of former Congressmen Peter DeFazio and Earl Blumenauer. Check out this vibrant new piece of public art the next time you’re at PDX!

From airports and rail to roadways and bike networks, Peter and Earl championed transportation projects throughout their careers that shape how people and communities connect. Artist Julz Clementine incorporated all sorts of “Easter eggs” throughout the mural to spotlight their biggest accomplishments.

10/12/2026

Last week Councilor Zimmerman and I celebrated the installation of a fabulous disco ball by artist Ivan McLean at Darcelle XV Plaza!

Our offices each sponsored this project, which will help boost cultural activations at downtown’s newest public space — the nation’s first park ever named after a drag performer! Special thanks to Downtown Clean & Safe for organizing a fun party with Rose City Rollers, Darcelle XV Showplace performers, and DJ Leo.

Coincidentally, Isi Matasavage’s “Mirrorball Messenger” crow statue is at the plaza as part of the “Follow the Crows” art trail, which wraps up at the end of this month. If you missed seeing any of the 30 statues, the entire “flock” will be gathered at the plaza for the first — and final — time on October 31 and November 1 before heading to auction in support of OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

10/09/2026

Last night I attended Bookmark, an annual fundraiser for Literary Arts, at Portland Art Museum.

We heard words of inspiration from Board Member Renée Watson, 2026 Newbery Award winner and educator; Owl Matthews, 2026 Youth Poetry Slam Championship Finalist; and the family of the late author Ursula K. Le Guin, whose Northwest Portland home will host an ongoing writers residency. We also enjoyed a performance and conversation with The Decemberists frontman Colin Meloy and his wife, Carson Ellis, talking about their New York Times bestselling fantasy series and upcoming feature film, "Wildwood."

10/09/2026

This week the Portland Police Bureau swore in 13 new police officers and 2 new professional staff!

Chief Day said the bureau is still grieving the loss of K9 partner Kylo, who was recently killed in the line of duty. At the same time, he shared positive news about recruitment efforts:

• Applicants increased by 40% compared to 2023 and 15% compared to 2024

• 2025’s sworn applicant number (1,801) was the highest since 2020

• 2025’s sworn member number (813) was the highest since 2021

• September’s hiring ceremony number (22) was the largest in 25+ years