FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2009
Contact: Ross Caron, Bureau of Development Services 503.823.4268
(Portland, OR) The Bureau of Development Services is committed to providing the highest level of service to the City’s development community and citizens through an effective and coordinated development review and inspection program.
Over the last year, the Bureau has experienced its most drastic workload and revenue decline in recent history due to a steep and sustained decline in construction activity. In response to the revenue decline, the Bureau has laid off 150 employees in three phases, with the final stage effective September 30, 2009.
Bureau management and staff continue to work on implementing organizational changes and efficiencies that will maximize our ability to provide customers an acceptable level of service despite reduced resources. We have already made a significant change: closing the Development Services Center (DSC) on Mondays. Please see the August 28, 2009 Press Release on the front page of our website at www.portlandonline.com/bds.
We will be working closely with our customer groups on developing and finalizing additional adjustments to services. We have developed a communication plan to regularly communicate any significant bureau organizational and service level changes to our customers, industry stakeholders, community organizations and citizens.
“The Bureau of Development Services is focusing all of its energy on maintaining the highest level of customer service possible in this extremely difficult situation,” said Paul Scarlett, Bureau Director, “We remain committed to working with our customers in an open, collaborative and productive manner.”
The Development Services Center (DSC) continues to provide a wide range of services to professionals and citizens interested in development regulations and policies, including the submittal of land use reviews, building permits, trade permits and street use permits. Document Services, located on the 2nd Floor, remains open Monday through Friday for building permit corrections and issuance.
Permit inspections will continue to be performed five days a week. The automated inspection request procedure remains unchanged. Effective August 31st, building inspections division telephones will be staffed from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Customers are encouraged to call for an appointment if they need to meet in person at the 1900 Building with inspections staff.
The Bureau of Development Services 5th Floor Reception desk remains open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
