May 2007
1. Sidewalk Obstruction Ordinance adopted
2. Annual census shows businesses are improving downtown
3. Report details downtown development for past five years
4. Clean & Safe works with Portland Police to tackle drug
dealing in Old Town
5. Reporting graffiti
6. Community Court update
7. Sidewalk Ambassador activity for April
8. Sidewalk Ambassadors get ready for summer
9. DRC reviews Park Block 5 design
10. Summer downtown: Stay in the know
ALLIANCE EVENTS
11. Business Succession Planning - How to leave your business
in style
12. Business After Hours @ McFadden's Restaurant and Saloon
13. Jumpstart your membership!
1. Sidewalk Obstruction Ordinance adopted
On May 9, Portland City Council gave final approval to a
new sidewalk obstruction ordinance as part of a package that
extends additional services to the homeless and improves Central
City livability. The ordinance will go into effect on June
9.
The ordinance was part of a package of recommendations from
Mayor Tom Potter's Street Access for Everyone (SAFE) Group.
The overall package, already approved by Council, also included
creation and funding of day shelters for homeless individuals
and the provision of adequate seating and restroom facilities
in key downtown areas. The Portland Business Alliance has
worked closely with Mayor Potter, who asked the Alliance to
be a member of the SAFE group.
Read
more.
2. Annual census shows businesses are improving downtown
Approximately 59 percent of downtown businesses feel that
their business has improved over the last two years, according
to the fifth annual Downtown Business Census conducted by
the Alliance on behalf of Portland Downtown Services, Inc.
(PDSI). The census revealed that there was a net increase
of 41 businesses downtown since 2005, with 1,579 more employees
than last year.
The census also asked which issues impact downtown Portland
businesses the most, such as cleanliness, safety and graffiti/vandalism.
Ninety-six percent of respondents consider downtown to be
safe, moderately safe, or very safe. Read the full
report for more information on downtown businesses.
3. Report details downtown development for past five years
The Alliance also recently released the annual Central City
Development and Redevelopment Projects report. This report
provides a comprehensive look at office, retail, housing and
hotel development currently under construction, on the drawing
board or under discussion as well as a look back at projects
completed since 2002.
The report was prepared for the Alliance by Heritage Consulting
Group. Read
the full report.
4. Clean & Safe works with Portland Police to tackle drug
dealing in Old Town
During April the Clean & Safe Security Patrols contacts included
4,495 business assistance and referral contacts, 6,228 pedestrian
contacts, 108 arrests, 336 exclusions and an additional 133
non-enforcement problem solving contacts.
Even though the level of drug dealing in downtown has decreased
considerably, Clean & Safe officers continue to receive complaints
about drug dealing along 3rd and 4th avenues in Old Town and
between Oak and Alder. Clean & Safe officers are coordinating
with the Central Precinct Street Crimes Unit, and several
strategies have been developed to alleviate the problem.
The police have made numerous arrests of drug dealers and
Alliance staff are working with the City by advocating that
the Drug Free Zone be supported and maintained in a workable
form.
"Drug dealing fuels assaults and other street crimes and
we need to continue the downward crime trend in all these
categories," said Clean & Safe Director Bill Sinnott.
Alliance staff also continue to advocate with the county
for jail beds, so the police can put these drug dealers behind
bars.
5. Reporting graffiti
Graffiti is a growing problem throughout the city and we're
seeing an increase in the BID too. As usual, cleaning crews
are removing graffiti as they find it after documenting it
and adding it to the City's Graffiti Hotline database. Even
though some arrests have been made, the problem continues
to grow. Please continue to report graffiti to Clean & Safe
(503.224.7383) so we can remove it as soon as possible.
6. Community Court update
In April, 179 defendants were ordered by the Westside Community
Court to perform community service on the Westside work crew.
The Community Court work crews removed 76 bags of trash and
29 pieces of drug paraphernalia. In all there were 1,088 hours
of community service performed by defendants from Community
Court. These hours of community service include work at the
Blanchet House and at Loaves and Fishes.
30 defendants successfully completed the Alliance's Theft
Accountability Class. The Downtown DA Legal Assistant reviewed
a total of 152 misdemeanor cases for prosecution and referral
to the Westside Community Court.
7. Sidewalk Ambassador Activity for April
- Business Modifications: 22
- Business Visits: 507
- Incident Reports: 2
- Information: 3,372
- Publications: 1,785
- Service: 157
Monthly Total: 5,845
8. Sidewalk Ambassadors get ready for summer
The Sidewalk Ambassadors are ready for the droves of tourists
that are sure to hit Portland in the next few months. They
attended the Concierge Association's Spring Fling at OMSI
which featured presenters from many local attractions, such
as the Evergreen Museum, Portland Walking Tours and the Pittock
Mansion. Members of the Green Team got to speak face to face
with the providers of the entertainment they recommend every
day.
9. DRC reviews Park Block 5 design
In April the Downtown Retail Council reviewed the Park Block
5 design presentation outlining the park's amenities, special
features, challenges and timeline. Park Block 5 will consist
of subsurface parking and a public surface park.
Allison Rouse, Program Coordinator for Three Downtown Parks,
presented the vision and design of Park Block 5 (area between
SW Park and SW 9th & SW Yamhill and SW Taylor). The Park design
includes a water feature, canopy, retail kiosk, public restroom,
service, safety attendant and elevator access construction.
The land, donated by Tom Moyer and TMT Development, is in
the process of finalizing design approval for the park. Funding
for this project is supported by the City of Portland, Portland
Development Commission, and a fundraising arm called the Parks
Foundation.
10. Summer downtown: Stay in the know
 Have you been to www.downtownportland.org
yet? Log on to sign up for a monthly e-newsletter, which lists
exciting upcoming events, the hottest new restaurants, retail
promotions, contests, and fun ways to spend your time in downtown
Portland. This site, developed by the Downtown Marketing Initiative,
has received more than 1.2 million hits since its launch last
winter. Downtown "Retail Therapy" kicks off on June 21, and
will take place every third Thursday throughout the summer.
Visit www.downtownportland.org
for more details!
ALLIANCE EVENTS
11. Business Succession Planning - How to leave your business
in style
June 7, 4:00 - 6:15 p.m.
200 SW Market Street, Lobby Level Conference Room
Register
Now
Business succession planning: Seven steps to leaving
your business on your terms
At some point, every owner leaves his or her business-voluntarily
or otherwise. Business succession planning addresses the necessary
legal, tax and financial concerns so you can leave your business
on your terms. Learn to determine the value of your business,
sell to family, management, or an outside party, and implement
strategies for preserving wealth.
Cornerstones Series Sponsors: Regence and West Coast
Bank
12. Business After Hours @ McFadden's Restaurant and Saloon
June 13 5-7 p.m.
McFadden's Restaurant & Pub
107 N.W. Couch St.
Register
Now
Business After Hours offers an opportunity to create new
business relationships by networking in a relaxed setting
that offers delicious appetizers, door prizes, and refreshments
from the no-host bar.
13. Jumpstart your membership!
June 14, 4:30-6 p.m.
200 SW Market Street, Lobby Level Conference Room
Register
Now
Here's an opportunity for all Alliance members to learn
about the many benefits of membership and to connect with
potential new customers and clients. The evening includes
30 minutes of networking , a short presentation about the
many opportunities to be involved at Alliance through committee
membership, events, or other programs. Following the presentation,
the senior staff is available to talk with you about your
particular interests and to respond to questions.
|
