Both walk
ing tours gave the Commissioners a chance to meet directly with small business owners and retailers in the Downtown and Old Town areas – listening to what they have endured over the last two-and-a-half years and seeing for themselves the conditions of our Downtown streets.
Commissioner Rubio checked in with Venus Sun, Senior Director of Culture & Community Engagement of Lan Su Chinese Gardens; Tiffany and Jake Hammer, Owners of Everett Street Autoworks; Tessa Peterson General Manager of the Hoxton; Lisa Schroder, Owner and Chef at Mother’s Bistro; and, David Davies, Managing Partner of the Pine Street Marketplace.
One of the reoccurring themes we heard from multiple business owners was the idea that people and community are what make Portland so special. If the people are suffering, then the city is suffering. Conversely, when people are prospering, so does the city. Lisa Schroeder best summed this up when she indicated ‘We are Portland’.
Shares Sydney Mead, Clean & Safe’s Director of Downtown Programs: “These tours were an amazing way to connect with local businesses and learn about both the challenges they have faced and the resiliency and dedication of these businesses. These owners and managers have worked hard, in person, Downtown, every day over the past two and half years. It has taken a toll, but they are not about to give up on Portland.”
For highlights of Commissioner Ryan’s walking tour and to read his recent Message of Hope, click here.