The push to revitalize Portland and bring people back downtown is getting another boost as hundreds gathered Tuesday to discuss how to overcome the obstacles facing the city.
Tuesday’s meeting was part of a breakfast put on by the Revitalize Portland Coalition, a group of real estate professionals who are “creating a better city to live and work.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the city has seen a dramatic increase in homelessness, crime, and businesses leaving the downtown core. The coalition is focused on addressing those issues, as well as Portland's overall public image.
The group says it has talked with Mayor Ted Wheeler, City Commissioners Rene Gonzalez and Dan Ryan, along with County Commissioner Sharon Meiran about what they can do to help push the city forward.
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“We are here to help, come talk to us. We are the boots on the ground. We see why tenants are leaving. We see why tenants don't want to live in Multnomah County. You need us, and we need you,” said Evan Bernstein, the principal of Pacific NW Properties.
Coalition members say there is progress on these fronts and that they are committed to holding city and county leadership accountable.
More than 200 people attended Tuesday's meeting, which dug into development, downtown leasing activity, and taxes. There are more events planned for the future.
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