Architect Stuart Emmons Mulls Portland City Council Bid Against Steve Novick

"I'm actively exploring it," he says.

Stuart Emmons, a Portland architect, urban planner and education activist, is seriously considering running against Portland City Commissioner Steve Novick for a seat on the city council.

"I'm actively exploring it," says Emmons, 61.

The Goose Hollow resident has a lengthy list of accomplishments, including several projects for affordable housing, a topic that he says would be a priority if elected.

"I've seen so many people getting left behind with the changes happening in Portland," says Emmons.

So why challenge Novick?

Emmons says the first-term commissioner hasn't focused enough on housing and lacks expertise in the area.

"It's time for a change," he says.

In addition to his work as an architect and a planner, Emmons has been a Portland activist for years. He rallied with others to save Veterans Memorial Coliseum from the bulldozers when former Mayor Sam Adams floated razing the building in favor of a new minor league baseball stadium. He's also worked with Portland Public Schools to campaign for its construction bonds.

Recently, Novick proposed selling the city's coliseum to a developer who would promise to build affordable housing at the site.

Emmons called Novick's idea "absolutely wrong headed," because affordable housing and homelessness are complicated issues that can't be solved with a single grand gesture.

"It is an incredible slap in the face to our vets," says Emmons. "If I run, I hope my experience with housing, poverty [and] density will help find solutions that will really be effective in helping to solve our housing crisis."

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