Quote:
Originally Posted by IHEARTPDX
These changes will definitely make a difference in atmosphere, but any lasting transformation could only occur if there is an investment in the area by residents who live in the area. Until we get a few residential towers in and around "Fright aid" and pioneer square, the area will (IMHO) continue to be a place where people come to work, stay at a hotel, shop and then leave. It's the "leaving" part that needs to be remedied.
|
I totally agree, although the additional foot traffic can't hurt, with more hotel guests walking around at night for dinner, shopping, etc. I think if we want to see residential in this part of town, (and we are, actually, pretty nearby with Park Avenue West and the ZGF tower), the city has to make public investments to make the area more attractive in the first place.
Prettier streets don't solve the problem of homelessness, of course, but the combined public/private redevelopment occurring will get the ball rolling for revitalization. I saw a recent letter to the editor in The Oregonian by a guy from San Francisco, remarking how both cities have highly visible homeless populations, but it feels more noticeable here because the streets aren't as busy. The city has to continue making downtown a vital place with 24/7 street activity, and I think it's making good progress with the new transit mall and the accompanying storefront renovations, landscaping, etc. Sometimes the private investment won't happen w/o public projects laying the groundwork.