I totally agree. I don't have expertise to opine on the practicality, but I agree that a 5 yr closure makes it an opportunity to really consider this.
Burnside is such a central connecting street but it is really unpleasant for walking. Imagine the flow of people walking between Saturday market, Old Town, Voodoo, China town, N. Park Blocks, Powell's, Harvey Milk, Providence Park, NW 23rd up to Washington Park, etc. Such an opportunity to connect all these great Portland attractions.
In my fantasy Portland, the James Beard Public Market would sit at the very "center" of Portland's urban core on a capped 405 at Burnside. Not only would the symbolism be cool - in the very middle of the city but it would connect Pearl, West End, Goose Hollow and Alphabet District so beautifully. I think for the market to be truly vital, it can't just be a tourist attraction or a day time office worker stop, but it has to be in a place that real locals use regularly for shopping. I'm sure there are a million reasons why this would never work, but boy would it be fantastic.
Last edited by colossalorder; Aug 7, 2024 at 5:27 PM.
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