As someone who can call this place your hometown, then you have seen the changes that also dinged Portland. I for one do not agree that decline is what happens when there are fewer people — if you consider homeostasis. I, for one, prefer to see fewer people moving here, or at least on par with those that are leaving this earthly plane. There are many examples of communities of similar size that have been absolutely devastated by growth (look at Tucson Az where you could once ride your bike across the city on 25-30mph streets, practically impossible now as most of the surface streets have been hijacked by high speed traffic planners). The city looks more like Phoenix these days — cancer cell metastasis.
All your other points are excellent and spot on. Lack of imagination has seriously stymied Portland’s cynical city counsel. But hey if you’re flying out of here, kudos to the Port of Portland! I dare say PDX is now THE best and most imaginative airport in the nation.
Thanks for the comment, Jo. I believe we are in agreement that we need to first and foremost focus on ways we provide value to our existing community first and foremost. Portland should prioritize "livability" above all else--that is a word that has unfortunately exited our local vocabulary. At the same time, Downtown needs some love right now--but it needs to serve Portlanders first and foremost.
Mike, you have articulated well something I have been thinking about Portland. Thank you. Excited to discover your Substack.
Thank you Bruce. I really appreciate that.
As someone who can call this place your hometown, then you have seen the changes that also dinged Portland. I for one do not agree that decline is what happens when there are fewer people — if you consider homeostasis. I, for one, prefer to see fewer people moving here, or at least on par with those that are leaving this earthly plane. There are many examples of communities of similar size that have been absolutely devastated by growth (look at Tucson Az where you could once ride your bike across the city on 25-30mph streets, practically impossible now as most of the surface streets have been hijacked by high speed traffic planners). The city looks more like Phoenix these days — cancer cell metastasis.
All your other points are excellent and spot on. Lack of imagination has seriously stymied Portland’s cynical city counsel. But hey if you’re flying out of here, kudos to the Port of Portland! I dare say PDX is now THE best and most imaginative airport in the nation.
Thanks for the comment, Jo. I believe we are in agreement that we need to first and foremost focus on ways we provide value to our existing community first and foremost. Portland should prioritize "livability" above all else--that is a word that has unfortunately exited our local vocabulary. At the same time, Downtown needs some love right now--but it needs to serve Portlanders first and foremost.
TouchÉ!