Something I rarely see mentioned in any of these discussions is Portland State. Honestly I think building Portland State into a legit R1 urban research institution like University of Houston, University of Louisville, or San Diego State would produce enormous downstream effects both social and economic.
But UO and OSU would scream like stuck pigs so the politics would be difficult. But the fact that Portland doesn't have a major university very much handicaps it compared to other "peer" cities. And no, Reed, Lewis & Clark, and UP don't count.
Similar divestment, lack of support, and no future looking vision in the performing arts. Most of the funding goes to larger organizations that are clearly on a failing trajectory. Grants that organizations relied on to sustain and support many artists have been significantly reduced. Artists can't afford to live in Portland anymore and I think success of the 00's were in large part a result of artist and craft that contributed to the city's growth.
"Of course, Portland and Oregon did not get everything right. Case in point: If you ask generationally rooted communities in North and Northeast Portland how they feel about light rail and bike lanes, you’ll get a very different perspective from the one the city’s public affairs machine has promoted across the world."
That doesn't remotely mean the city got it wrong by building bike lanes and light rail. It just means that "generationally rooted communities" can be furious NIMBYs too.
Very interesting article. Enjoyed reading it, and happy to follow you. Having moved here from Sacramento 1 1/2 years ago it took me some time to get acclimated and I see several of the things you talk about pretty clearly as a (former) outsider. After about 6 months I really took to the city and surrounding area and at this point, despite all its issues, I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. For those interested I have a Substack blog myself, https://nwwonderingwanderer.substack.com/ that focuses primarily on travel/music/food in and around Portland and the great Northwest.
Welcome Billy--both to Portland and to my Substack. Portland is a special place--completely blessed with every amenity possible--natural beauty, great neighborhood, great building stock, wonderful food, an hours drive from every landscape. We both have it all, and we love getting in our own way. That said, I'm excited for the coming years.
I appreciate your perspective here, Mike. It's well informed and articulated. May this provide a helpful reminder, context and - dare I say - encouragement to think big anew. Having spent time in Nashville, Portland, Seattle and San Diego recently, I'm struck by aspects of the built environment in each, a very tangible manifestation of ambition.
Thanks Bryce. All of these other places you mentioned seem to be better at making decisions, picking winners (projects, programs, and people) and getting things done. I'm so tired of the excuses, and it's not just a government thing--it's a Portland culture problem. We need to be more decisive and stop letting perfect be the enemy of good.
Portland (and the state) is in the throes of a classic political machine, now three decades old, with the typical signs of senility: corruption, self-dealing, opacity, and arrogance.
The revolving door between nonprofits and government spins; money disappears and logos appear on campaign mailers. Unions run the bureaucracy--does anyone ever get fired for anything other than insulting a governor?
It's all very clubby and polite--the media is mostly silent--and the progressive othodoxy comes down to: We know how to spend your money better than you do.
It is an adversarial, extractive, "you gotta nice business there" mafia. Expecting Big Ideas from this gang is a fearsome prospect. Just look at the bills in the hopper of the Portland-dominated state legislature.
Something I rarely see mentioned in any of these discussions is Portland State. Honestly I think building Portland State into a legit R1 urban research institution like University of Houston, University of Louisville, or San Diego State would produce enormous downstream effects both social and economic.
But UO and OSU would scream like stuck pigs so the politics would be difficult. But the fact that Portland doesn't have a major university very much handicaps it compared to other "peer" cities. And no, Reed, Lewis & Clark, and UP don't count.
There is truth to that statement--and I think there could be multiple solutions that might involve UO and OSU too. They occupy very different lanes
Great read and well said!
Similar divestment, lack of support, and no future looking vision in the performing arts. Most of the funding goes to larger organizations that are clearly on a failing trajectory. Grants that organizations relied on to sustain and support many artists have been significantly reduced. Artists can't afford to live in Portland anymore and I think success of the 00's were in large part a result of artist and craft that contributed to the city's growth.
Thanks David—I agree. Artists bring joy and creativity. We need to do better.
"Of course, Portland and Oregon did not get everything right. Case in point: If you ask generationally rooted communities in North and Northeast Portland how they feel about light rail and bike lanes, you’ll get a very different perspective from the one the city’s public affairs machine has promoted across the world."
That doesn't remotely mean the city got it wrong by building bike lanes and light rail. It just means that "generationally rooted communities" can be furious NIMBYs too.
We're good at NIMBYism here.
Very interesting article. Enjoyed reading it, and happy to follow you. Having moved here from Sacramento 1 1/2 years ago it took me some time to get acclimated and I see several of the things you talk about pretty clearly as a (former) outsider. After about 6 months I really took to the city and surrounding area and at this point, despite all its issues, I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. For those interested I have a Substack blog myself, https://nwwonderingwanderer.substack.com/ that focuses primarily on travel/music/food in and around Portland and the great Northwest.
Welcome Billy--both to Portland and to my Substack. Portland is a special place--completely blessed with every amenity possible--natural beauty, great neighborhood, great building stock, wonderful food, an hours drive from every landscape. We both have it all, and we love getting in our own way. That said, I'm excited for the coming years.
great article, Mike.
Thanks Dorie!
I appreciate your perspective here, Mike. It's well informed and articulated. May this provide a helpful reminder, context and - dare I say - encouragement to think big anew. Having spent time in Nashville, Portland, Seattle and San Diego recently, I'm struck by aspects of the built environment in each, a very tangible manifestation of ambition.
Thanks Bryce. All of these other places you mentioned seem to be better at making decisions, picking winners (projects, programs, and people) and getting things done. I'm so tired of the excuses, and it's not just a government thing--it's a Portland culture problem. We need to be more decisive and stop letting perfect be the enemy of good.
Very well said, Mike! Portland has long since dug its trenches around overthinking and mediocrity vs decisive action that moves us forward.
Thank you!
Portland (and the state) is in the throes of a classic political machine, now three decades old, with the typical signs of senility: corruption, self-dealing, opacity, and arrogance.
The revolving door between nonprofits and government spins; money disappears and logos appear on campaign mailers. Unions run the bureaucracy--does anyone ever get fired for anything other than insulting a governor?
It's all very clubby and polite--the media is mostly silent--and the progressive othodoxy comes down to: We know how to spend your money better than you do.
It is an adversarial, extractive, "you gotta nice business there" mafia. Expecting Big Ideas from this gang is a fearsome prospect. Just look at the bills in the hopper of the Portland-dominated state legislature.
Sleep tight!