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.
|
