‘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
Your Guide to November 2026 in Portland
Whether you’re going to the opera for the first time, getting a head start on your holiday shopping, or celebrating our region’s olive ha...
How To Guarantee Your Ballot Gets Counted, Another Suburban School District Eyeing Closures, and Listener Mail
Today we're discussing everything you need to know about how to vote in the upcoming election — including deadlines, how ranked-choice is...
The Auto Tycoon Buying Up Downtown Portland. Plus, 800 City Workers Ready To Strike and Portland Etiquette Gripes
We're talking about how hundreds of Portland city workers may go on strike as soon as next week. We’re also digging into the Las Vegas-ba...
The Surprising History of Our Local Exports, From Tuna to Tofurkey
Portland is famous for its music, coffee, craft beer, and a little sneaker brand called Nike — but our city and state’s influence goes fa...
A Cursed Portland Arcade Game and Other Creepy Lore. Plus, the Wildest Halloween Parties in Portland
Host Claudia Meza gets into the Halloween spirit with Matthew Trueherz, arts and culture editor at Willamette Week, and Alex Frane, food...
‘Your City Could Be Better’: Is Chicago More Prepared for Climate Change Than Every Other City? — Presented By City Cast Portland
How prepared is Portland to deal with the effects of climate change? In a recent report, Chicago was ranked as the most climate resilient...
Banning AI Price Gouging, a Canvassing Group's Misleading Hustle, and Hot Takes on Nike Dunking on the Stag Sign
We're talking about how Portland could become one of the first cities to ban surveillance pricing — before it even hits local stores. Als...
Portland's Most Unpopular Billionaire, a Federal Indictment for La Mota CEO, and How the OLCC Made Our Bar Food Elite
We're talking about the Trail Blazer owner’s image problem as well as the recent grand jury indictment of a cannabis business CEO for tax...
A Guide For Portland Transplants, From Portland Transplants
Earlier this year, data showed fewer than half of Multnomah County residents were born in Oregon — meaning most Portlanders aren't actual...
Why Oregon's Gun Laws Can’t Prevent School Shootings, Mount Hood's Gray Rock Winter, and the Sports Bra Goes National
We're talking about the lack of snow on Mount Hood and what it could mean for winter. We’re also reviewing Oregon’s gun control laws afte...