New Mayor Has Harsh Words for Portland's Office of Neighborhood Involvement

A recent city audit has empowered Portland's new mayor, Ted Wheeler, to criticize the Office of Neighborhood Involvement in Portland.

1 minute read

January 3, 2017, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Keep Portland Weird

Tony Webster / Flickr

Michael Mehaffy shares news of statements by Portland's newly inaugurated mayor, Ted Wheeler, with regard to the city's embattled Office of Neighborhood Involvement, or ONI.

According to a "pop quiz" posted by the Willamette Weekly, the mayor believes ONI is one of the two most corrupt bureaus in the city (along with the Police Bureau).

That statement criticizing the city bureau designed to ensure civic engagement in a city that prides itself on community involvement did not come out of the blue. A city audit announced in November found "a trifecta of problems inside Portland's office promoting neighborhoods and civic engagement, including poor oversight, unequal funding and unfinished plans," according to The Oregonian reporter Brad Schmidt.

Monday, January 2, 2017 in Livable Portland

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 28, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

AI-generated image of high-speed rail trail in elevated track in green hilly farmland.

Four Reasons Urban Planners Can’t Ignore AI

It’s no longer a question of whether AI will shape planning, but how. That how is up to us.

May 28, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Aerial view of Bend, Oregon.

Bend, Deschutes County Move to Restrict Major Homeless Encampment

City and county officials are closing off portions of an area known as Juniper Ridge where many unhoused residents find shelter, hoping to direct people to housing and supportive services.

4 seconds ago - The Bulletin

Metro rail station in Mariachi Plaza with colorful glass pavilion in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California.

High Housing Costs Driving Down Transit Ridership in LA

When neighborhoods gentrify and displace lower-income residents, transit ridership suffers, new research shows.

1 hour ago - CALmatters

Des Moines, Iowa skyline viewed from a plaza with two flags on either side at dusk.

Iowa Legalizes Accessory Dwelling Units

A new law will allow property owners to build ADUs on single-family lots starting on July 1.

2 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive