HomeDiagramsDatabaseMapsForum About
     

Go Back   SkyscraperPage Forum > Regional Sections > United States > Pacific West > Portland > Downtown & City of Portland


Reply

 
Thread Tools Display Modes
     
     
  #5141  
Old Posted Mar 5, 2024, 8:05 PM
maccoinnich maccoinnich is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Portland
Posts: 7,389
Quote:
How Project Pabst rose from the dead, bringing major summer music festival back to Portland



It was billed as a “love letter to Portland,” a chance for a classic beer brand to give back to the city that lent some hipster cred to its red, white and blue cans, reversing decades of decline.

But when the first Project Pabst proved a hit in 2014, the summer music festival began to grow, adding spin-off events across America. By 2017, festivals were taking place in four American cities, and Project Pabst had begun taking a fair share of the multi-million dollar company’s marketing resources.

“It takes a lot to throw one festival,” said marketing director Rachel Keeton. “Throwing four means it’s kind of your only thing.”

This summer, Project Pabst will return for a two-day festival at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, this time working with local concert promoter TrueWest. With relatively inexpensive PBR tallboys, a freshly built version of its signature 25-foot silver unicorn and dozens of touring indie rock and hip hop acts, the revived festival marks a potential “We’re so back” moment for Portland.
...continues at the Oregonian.
__________________
"Maybe to an architect, they might look suspicious, but to me, they just look like rocks"

www.twitter.com/maccoinnich
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #5142  
Old Posted Mar 11, 2024, 4:10 AM
downtownpdx's Avatar
downtownpdx downtownpdx is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,672
South Park Blocks Residents Tell Kotek They Appreciate Bottle Bill Pause at Safeway, Plaid Pantry

Quote:
Oregonians’ love for the Bottle Bill has collided with their fatigue with the open fentanyl use it enables.

By Nigel Jaquiss
March 10, 2024 at 8:06 am PDT

When the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative polled Oregonians’ attitudes toward the Bottle Bill a couple of years ago, “Oregonians give the system an A+, with 97% agreeing that it’s good for Oregon.”

Since fentanyl took hold of Portland’s downtown streets, the numbers in some neighborhoods—especially around grocery and convenience stores that take back cans and bottles—might be a little softer.

After Gov. Tina Kotek took the drastic step of exempting some of the hardest-hit locations downtown, the Safeway at Southwest 10th Avenue and Jefferson Street and an adjacent Plaid Pantry on 11th Avenue, neighborhood residents responded to the governor in emails WW obtained under a public records request.

Here’s what the emails said:

From A.M. in Portland:

re: Bottle Drop Suspension at 10th and Jefferson Safeway and Plaid Pantry Good Evening Governor Kotek, As you can see from my address [redacted], I live across the street from the Safeway and Plaid Pantry where you suspended bottle drop service. As such, I wanted to respond to your recent order with immense gratitude. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a halt, the population of homeless persons has steadily risen in my neighborhood. I have incredible sympathy for our neighbors who live on the streets - it is a more difficult lifestyle than I can even imagine. With that being said, the increase in homelessness has turned into a serious problem. I have encountered many recurring characters who do not seem interested in seeking the available resources and improving their situation. I love living downtown. Before the pandemic, I loved walking through Portland after it had gone to sleep and taking in its serene beauty. But I haven’t felt at ease doing so for almost four years now. That is, until tonight. I am shocked by how quickly the suspension of bottle drop service made my corner of Portland feel like its old self again. Whenever I would walk my dog I would have to constantly look over my shoulder, scout ahead to see whether I should cross the street, and stop him from eating whatever suspicious refuse he decided looked like a treat. Tonight, however, was different. Tonight felt safe. Tonight felt peaceful. Tonight even felt fun. For the first time in a while, I saw parents with children after dark and several groups of PSU students slowly strolling through the streets. I felt a lightness in the air that I had forgotten existed in the cultural district, and it reminded me of when I moved into my building almost eight years ago. It is going to take me a long time to shake the anxious, looking-over-my-shoulder, on-edge mindset, but now it feels closer than it did just a few nights ago. I understand this is meant to be a temporary suspension, but I hope that you extend it until we can pressure Multnomah County to spend its homelessness-resource budget and hire more public defenders to restore our criminal justice system. Thank you.
(continues) ... https://www.wweek.com/news/2024/03/1...-plaid-pantry/
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #5143  
Old Posted Mar 15, 2024, 3:33 AM
downtownpdx's Avatar
downtownpdx downtownpdx is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,672
Sorry to bump the thread with no new news -- but this is a must see. Great video documenting the 1960s South Auditorium project, Portland's first urban renewal project and those who were displaced in its wake. Some fascinating before / after shots at the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1KReJIPmjs
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #5144  
Old Posted Mar 15, 2024, 10:13 PM
pdxsg34 pdxsg34 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 314
Quote:
Originally Posted by downtownpdx View Post
Sorry to bump the thread with no new news -- but this is a must see. Great video documenting the 1960s South Auditorium project, Portland's first urban renewal project and those who were displaced in its wake. Some fascinating before / after shots at the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1KReJIPmjs
Fascinating video, thank you for sharing. It's difficult to digest the mismanagement and errors that occurred throughout the whole south auditorium project, especially as it relates to the displaced persons. What a shame to see so many uninspired "modern" buildings replace such special older buildings. And the synagogue! smh.

Hopefully we continue to learn from our past mistakes and right the wrongs. Williams and Russell / Albina is a perfect opportunity for that. Let's see what happens.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #5145  
Old Posted Mar 25, 2024, 1:44 AM
downtownpdx's Avatar
downtownpdx downtownpdx is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,672
I'm having flashbacks to the Great Recession, when I kept track of every little business opening for a couple years, ha! Of course the economy is nothing like 2009 but it's still worth celebrating any sign of recovery in post Covid downtown. I used to frequent the Sakura Sushi in this spot before Covid and I'm glad to see something new opening in this area, just a block from the former drug market at 4th and Washington. Couldn't imagine this happening a year ago. There's another location near Powell's on NW 10th, gets good reviews.

Hana Sushi and Izakaya Will Expand With Another Location in Downtown Portland


https://whatnowpdx.com/2024/01/10/ha...oogle_vignette

According to a recent permit filing, Hana Sushi and Izakaya will open another location Downtown at 506 SW 6th Ave Suite #100.

A representative of Hana Sushi and Izakaya was not immediately available for commentary upon What Now Portland’s request.

While an official opening date has yet to be confirmed, according to Hana’s website, there are currently two locations, one in Portland and the other in Corvallis.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #5146  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2024, 4:17 PM
DMH DMH is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Portland (part-time); warm foreign countries (part-time)
Posts: 493
Downtown office vacancy rate

Oregonian article confirms what we observe. Seems to me that office building foreclosures will possibly bring about change through lowered office rental rates and repurposing of building uses.

https://www.oregonlive.com/business/...e-f705bb98f9a6.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #5147  
Old Posted Mar 26, 2024, 6:20 PM
PhillyPDX PhillyPDX is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 358
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMH View Post
Oregonian article confirms what we observe. Seems to me that office building foreclosures will possibly bring about change through lowered office rental rates and repurposing of building uses.

https://www.oregonlive.com/business/...e-f705bb98f9a6.
Call the entirety of downtown a tax free zone if you build housing or business lease.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #5148  
Old Posted Mar 27, 2024, 2:02 AM
subterranean subterranean is offline
Registered Ugly
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Portland
Posts: 3,628
Here’s the full report from Colliers for Metro Portland.

Quote:
“When comparing the downtown market sector to the suburban market sector, 57.3% of the total area leased was in the suburban submarkets, as occupiers continue to favor areas outside of the city in pursuit of lower tax burdens, safety and security, and parking.”
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #5149  
Old Posted Mar 27, 2024, 3:48 AM
PhillyPDX PhillyPDX is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 358
Quote:
Originally Posted by subterranean View Post
Here’s the full report from Colliers for Metro Portland.
I’m hearing rumors US Bancorp is looking to leave the Big Pink for burbs too. I haven’t asked in more detail, but a friend works there, is being asked to go back to office most days, AND that office is being moved from
big pink out out to Gresham. Not sure what % of big pink US Bancorp workers is included, but that sucks (they are not thrilled with being forced to be back in office AND having to now go out to Gresham, after being downtown pre covid).
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #5150  
Old Posted Mar 27, 2024, 3:59 AM
subterranean subterranean is offline
Registered Ugly
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Portland
Posts: 3,628
It does suck and that sounds like a major downgrade in all respects.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #5151  
Old Posted Mar 27, 2024, 8:08 PM
babs babs is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 384
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhillyPDX View Post
I’m hearing rumors US Bancorp is looking to leave the Big Pink for burbs too. I haven’t asked in more detail, but a friend works there, is being asked to go back to office most days, AND that office is being moved from
big pink out out to Gresham. Not sure what % of big pink US Bancorp workers is included, but that sucks (they are not thrilled with being forced to be back in office AND having to now go out to Gresham, after being downtown pre covid).
How many US Bank employees remain at the tower? I suspect it's not that many after all these years post the buyout. They also have that huge operations center off I-84 that probably is also underutilized.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #5152  
Old Posted Mar 27, 2024, 10:44 PM
downtownpdx's Avatar
downtownpdx downtownpdx is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,672
On the bright side re: big pink/downtown, Portland software maker LegitScript is moving its hq from Slabtown to big pink, bringing 150 employees. Not as noteworthy as a move from, say, Beaverton or out of state… but still a positive development.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #5153  
Old Posted Yesterday, 4:33 AM
downtownpdx's Avatar
downtownpdx downtownpdx is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,672
Revitalization around Portland's Big Pink draws in business

by Deb Knapp and KATU Staff Tue, March 26th 2024 at 7:08 PM

Quote:
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Cleanup happening around one of Portland’s iconic landmarks -- Big Pink -- officially the Unico US Bancorp Tower, is drawing in new business nearby.

The area surrounding Big Pink has developed a sour reputation over the past few years.

"We had a lot of drug dealing on Ankeny ally here between fifth and sixth. This was full of garbage and trash and water," said Mark Wells, with the Portland Business Alliance, pointing to the carwash fountain just off Burnside.


But a transformation is underway. It all started a year ago this month with the Ankeny Triangle Improvement Project.

The idea is to revitalize public spaces, like the carwash fountain, which at one time contained soaked garbage in standing water. There were also rows of camping and drug activity.

But a partnership between Unico properties and multiple city of Portland bureaus and the business alliance is trying to turn that around.

"The murals, working with Chevron and the ownership here, chronic graffiti problems and drug dealing, and how can we help? And we're seeing now, literally, it's fun, a year into it. It's not perfect, but it's light-years better," Wells said.

It may be a small step, but it's a tangible change.

"I think the best measuring stick for projects, community enhancement, livability projects is A, are people, residents and businesses staying? Are we retaining what we have? And B, are we recruiting and attracting new businesses?" Wells said.

The reinvestment is happening. Kilo D'Cofi is one of two new businesses to take over leases on the block next to Big Pink.
(continues)https://katu.com/news/local/revitali...mexican-coffee
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #5154  
Old Posted Yesterday, 1:54 PM
PhillyPDX PhillyPDX is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 358
Quote:
Originally Posted by downtownpdx View Post
Revitalization around Portland's Big Pink draws in business

by Deb Knapp and KATU Staff Tue, March 26th 2024 at 7:08 PM



(continues)https://katu.com/news/local/revitali...mexican-coffee
Key idea in that article, "prices are starting to drop, making it more affordable and accessible". Like some have been saying, downtown needs to gentrify. Costs come down enough (total, including taxes), people will move in.
Reply With Quote
     
     
  #5155  
Old Posted Today, 4:06 AM
downtownpdx's Avatar
downtownpdx downtownpdx is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,672
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhillyPDX View Post
Key idea in that article, "prices are starting to drop, making it more affordable and accessible". Like some have been saying, downtown needs to gentrify. Costs come down enough (total, including taxes), people will move in.
The post Covid era sure feels a lot like the post WWII era for downtowns… the office vacancy rate in smaller cities and suburbs is like one third of downtown. Free parking, low crime… all the same issues are at play again. If this pandemic happened 20 or 30 years ago, before remote work was so common, we wouldn’t have nearly the same challenges since people would’ve actually gone back to work in person. The lack of foot traffic from lockdowns for a short period is one thing, but when it goes on for years, it’s very difficult to recover.

Like you say hopefully lower costs will put downtown on more even footing. But I’m happy to hear these cleanup efforts are making a difference, even if it’s small at this point. The effort just has to be consistent and sustained.
Reply With Quote
     
     
End
 
 
Reply

Go Back   SkyscraperPage Forum > Regional Sections > United States > Pacific West > Portland > Downtown & City of Portland
Forum Jump


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 9:04 AM.

     
SkyscraperPage.com - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.