‘Your City Could Be Better’: Why Are Chattanoogans ‘Doing It Their Damn Selves’? — Presented By City Cast Portland
Sometimes it can feel like the Portland government is two (or more) steps behind the needs of its neighborhoods. Enter the residents of Chattanooga, Tennessee. What Chattanoogans don’t have, they make up for in advocacy, whether by showing up to city council and organizing for change or just doing things themselves. City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with creator and city lover Hope Henchey about how she and her neighbors are sneakily and secretly fixing up their city. You’ve heard of the Nashville bench builders — now get ready for the Chattanooga pothole fillers, sidewalk layers, and (literal) trail blazers.
Mentioned on the show:
- Atlas Obscura feature on the community-built benches in Chattanooga
- Efforts by Strong Chattanooga to make a path through the woods in a sidewalk-less neighborhood
- Review of Hoboken's streak of zero traffic fatalities
Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!
We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter
Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Stay connected to City Cast Portland and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
The Fight Over Closing Portland Schools, Who Should Control $16 Million in City Spending, and Could Oregon Drivers Get Refunds?
We're looking at the uproar over Portland Public Schools' plan to close up to 14 schools, breaking down the participatory budgeting ballo...
Are You a Portland Sinner? Unspoken Portland Rules Worth Breaking
Inspired by a recent Portland subreddit post, we're discussing our city’s unspoken rules — and how we here on the show break them — ...
Oregon's Unbuilt EV Stations, the CenturyLink Price-for-Life Lawsuit, and Mailbag!
We're talking about the two Portlanders who successfully sued CenturyLink over rising internet rates, and why Oregon has yet to install a...
Eugene Police Wants $2.5M for Public Records, Our Waterfront Is Getting a Makeover, and I-5 South Closure Updates
We're talking about why the Eugene Police Department is charging millions for public records, plus ideas from Europe on how to get more o...
Racist Tweets Tank a Blazers Hire, the Arts Tax Gets Challenged in Court, and Oregon's Governor's Race Has Democrats Sweating
We're talking about the hiring and firing of a new Blazers broadcaster over some pretty heinous old tweets, and why the Portland Metro Ch...
‘Your City Could Be Better’: This Basketball Court Is Saving Residents From Floods — Presented By City Cast Portland
When Portland looks for inspiration for the future, does it look to the Netherlands? That’s what designers and officials in New York City...
Portland's Most Underrated Restaurateur Is Retiring, a DIY Bar Takeover, and Miami Beats Portland at Food?
We’re talking about an upcoming event hoping to bring attention to Portland’s bar scene. We’re also looking into some recent food news co...
Your Guide to October 2026 in Portland
Whether you’re stuck in a corn maze, catching a local theatrical production, or drinking your weight in pumpkin cider, October is the sta...
Old Town’s First Grocery Store in 50 Years, the Plan To Increase Portland’s CEO Tax, and Scout the Huggy Golden Retriever
Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking about one nonprofit's mission to open a grocery store in Old Town, and how two city councilors...
Why Gov. Tina Kotek Wants To Keep Her Job
Gov. Tina Kotek is running for reelection in a tight race against the same Republican opponent she faced back in 2022, former state Sen....