Portlanders
love their small businesses and want them supported,
but they are concerned about losing Portland's industrial
base.
This small section mostly addresses concerns around
industrial activity and whether or not it should be
concentrated along the waterfront. Some people would
like to see this activity relocated so that the waterfront
can be accessed for recreational and commuting purposes,
while others prefer industry to have its own zone
on the waterfront and not be mixed in with residential
or commercial/retail zones. Other topics brought up
in this section include worries that Portland is losing
its industrial base, concerns about strip malls on
the outskirts of town, and calls to clean up abandoned
industrial sites. Portlanders also mention their appreciation
for small businesses in neighborhoods and mixed-use
buildings (commercial/residential), and would like
zoning practices, taxes and incentives to favor small,
local businesses.
Note: This
section mostly addresses concerns about where different
types of businesses are located. For a much broader
discussion on businesses in general, see Economy:
Business.
-
Zoning practices should support small, local businesses.
-
Some residents are concerned about strip malls in
outlying areas of the city.
- Old, abandoned and contaminated
business and industrial sites should be cleaned
up and re-purposed.
- Should industrial activity
be increased or curtailed?
- Where should industrial
activity be located?
- Zoning
practices should support small, local businesses.
- There is overwhelming support for neighborhood
commercial districts such as Alberta, Hawthorne,
Broadway and others. These districts are
perceived to:
- Generate a strong sense of community
and local identity;
- Strengthen the local economy; and
- Promote walking, cycling and other
forms of alternative transportation.
- Some respondents would like to see more
of these business districts throughout the
city and particularly in neighborhoods that
are currently under-served with amenities.
- Some express the need to ensure that these
districts contain a mix of shops and businesses
that appeal to a wide variety of residents
and do not all cater to the boutique or
high-end shopper.
- A number of individuals express support
for mixed-use projects in neighborhoods
that provide space for small businesses
combined with residential space or work/live
space for artists.
- There is some debate over whether these
districts should extend linearly along a
single street (as is the case now) or expand
in concentric circles following the “European
village” model.
| "[I
value] zoning. It appears there has
been a good deal of thought put into
where business is located. I love that
small businesses are a predominate feature
in the ‘close in’ areas.” |
| "I’d
like to see mixed-cost housing throughout
the residential areas, with small commercial
districts like Hawthorne and NE Broadway
popping up in new places and expanding
linearly to avoid invading and devaluing
residential space.” |
- Some
residents are concerned about strip malls
in outlying areas of the city.
- Some feel that the strip malls along
82nd Ave, SE Powell and other similar areas
should be transformed into more attractive
buildings and shopping.
- However, some residents are glad that
strip malls occur only on the outskirts
of town and are not located in the
close-in neighborhoods.
| “I’d
like to see the city’s low-rent, low-rise
commercial strips (such as Powell and
Barbur) transformed into something else.” |
- Old,
abandoned and contaminated business and
industrial sites should be cleaned up and
re-purposed.
- There is strong support for “cleaning
up” industrial areas, although it is difficult
to determine if people want an environmental
clean-up or simply to make these areas more
visually appealing.
- Some respondents consider the disproportionate
number of brownfields in low-income communities
a type of economic or environmental injustice.
- A number of respondents voice the need
to put older, vacant buildings to use, whether
for new economic activity or for the social
or cultural sector.
| “Start
remodeling older buildings so that new
business can open.” |
| “I
think we can start opening up abandoned
public buildings to non-profits willing
to educate the uneducated and provide
job training for the jobless and homeless.” |
|
- Should
industrial activity be increased or curtailed?
Some respondents imagine less industrial buildings
in the future, and would like to see
old industrial buildings transformed into affordable
housing, live/work space for artists and other community
spaces.
Others are worried that Portland is losing its
industrial base and would like to see more industrial
buildings and zones in the city. Some advocate
for traditional industry, while others would like
to see Portland develop green industries or other
cutting-edge industries that are unique to this
area.
| “…the
Northwest Industrial area could be rezoned to
be a NW Clean energy/sustainable industries
sanctuary—become node and worldwide center for
those important and cutting-edge industries
bringing well-paying jobs and strong positive
identity to Portland’s economy.” |
- Where
should industrial activity be located?
There is some debate about where to locate industrial
activity, with a number of individuals calling
for industry to be moved away from the banks of
the Willamette River. These respondents are worried
about the environmental impacts of industrial
activity on the river and are also interested
in seeing increased community use of the waterfront
and waterways.
| “Moving
heavy industrial areas away from the waterways
and developing the waterways to be enjoyed
by the citizens, with housing, events, parks,
and other transportation and recreation
events.” |
Others, however, appreciate the fact that industry
has its own separate area near the river. These
respondents do not want industrial activity in
neighborhoods and would prefer for it to remain
where it is.
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