Joint statement: Downtown Portland Clean & Safe and Portland Business Alliance

Two decades ago, our organizations made a visionary decision to combine some staff and resources so that both nonprofits could efficiently deliver high-quality services to our community.

In response to a story in Willamette Week, Feb. 17, 2021:

Two decades ago, our organizations made a visionary decision to combine some staff and resources so that both nonprofits could efficiently deliver high-quality services to our community.

While we are always looking for ways to improve, we are proud of the extraordinary efforts our teams have endeavored to accomplish for our city’s center — most especially in the unprecedented past 12 months.

Our staff, contractors and partners care deeply for this community and their role in meeting the needs of not only providing essential and enhanced services for downtown Portland, but also in layering on the services a chamber of commerce provides to our regional business ecosystem.

Downtown Portland is facing historic challenges, and many of these concerns are larger and beyond the control of just one nonprofit organization. They need multi-layer response by a multitude of public and private organizations.

As we head into a renewal year for the enhanced service district, our board and staff are continuing to seek ways to improve what we do and provide greater collaboration to ensure Downtown Portland remains a healthy, vital center in the heart of our region.

– Mark Schlesinger, Board Chair, Downtown Portland Clean & Safe 
– Mike Golub, Board Chair, Portland Business Alliance

ABOUT:
Downtown Portland Clean & Safe is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides extraordinary essential services to the people, places and businesses within a core 213-block area of our unique city. Operating since 1988, the district is one of the oldest, largest and most successful enhanced service districts in the nation. Visit DowntownPortland.org for more information.

The Portland Business Alliance is greater Portland’s Chamber of Commerce. Our mission is to create opportunity and advance well-being for all who live and work in the greater Portland and SW Washington region. Our vision is a healthy and resilient business ecosystem. Visit PortlandAlliance.com for more information.