Question 12: Bringing Back Downtown

Downtown is crucial—not just for Portland, but for the entire state’s economy. One of the major reasons buildings sit empty is that people feel unsafe coming downtown. Workers have had to navigate tents, needles, and other difficult conditions. I experienced this firsthand when a gentleman in distress attacked my car as I was leaving City Hall. While things have improved compared to when I joined the council, there's still work to do.

Recently, I received an email from a constituent who held a retreat downtown and was surprised by the significant progress made. Their only concern was the number of empty storefronts.

The key to bringing downtown back is addressing livability and safety. We need to help small businesses fill these vacant storefronts because the future of our city depends on them. Once the streets are clean and safe, people will start returning. However, we also need to address the regulatory burden on businesses. It’s no secret that Portland has a lot of red tape. Many Portlanders know small business owners or have tried to do work on their homes, only to be frustrated by our city’s complex permitting process. Simplifying that is a must.