Thank you for your interest in reading The Astorian. Here are a few stories that you might have missed this week:

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The crumbling causeway at the Port of Astoria’s East Mooring Basin has sustained more damage, a reminder of the infrastructure challenges facing the Port.

The East Mooring Basin has been in disrepair for many years. In 2018, the Port closed the causeway to vehicle and foot traffic, so boat owners have had to access moored vessels by dinghy. Two years ago, the causeway partially collapsed, knocking out power for boats and navigation lights.

The most recent collapse occurred last weekend and was likely a result of continuing decay rather than triggered by a particular event, according to Will Isom, the Port’s executive director.

“The causeway is in horrible condition,” he said. “There’s a lot of rot underneath the concrete walkway that sits on top of wood infrastructure. And so I don’t think it was a particular event, more so (that) you just have wood piling and infrastructure that’s just rotting.”

See the story by Rebecca Norden-Bright by clicking here.

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The Columbia River Maritime Museum is moving forward on a $30 million expansion.

The new, two-story, 26,000-square-foot building is proposed between the museum and the Barbey Maritime Center off Marine Drive. Museum leaders believe the addition would help tie together the campus, which also includes the Warnock Commons and Model Boat Pond, an educational resource and community open space.

The project, which was approved by the museum’s board on Monday, is being launched with the help of $15.1 million from three donors.

“The new exhibits will greatly add to our storytelling,” Bruce Jones, the museum’s deputy director, said.

Read the story by Nicole Bales by clicking here.

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The Northwest Oregon Housing Authority is still struggling to fill vacant units.

During a housing authority board meeting this month, staff reported an 88% occupancy rate across the properties the agency manages, meaning 12% of the 157 units at eight properties are sitting empty.

“All we hear is the shortage of housing, the shortage of affordable housing, and people are desperate for housing,” said Commissioner David Oser, who represents Clatsop County on the housing authority’s board. “And yet, it’s like, when you offer it, it’s hard to find anyone to take you up on it.

“There’s obviously some kind of disconnect here. I don’t know if it’s a disconnect in perception, or how much of it is in reality, it just seems like we have to do a better job of — I don’t know — getting people into units as they become available. I wish I understood better what the problem is.”

Take a look at the report by Nicole Bales by clicking here.

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— Derrick DePledge