Pearl District News

[pdxsg34]

Originally Posted by NOPO

Our government is full of stooges trying to increase police presence when there’s proof that doesn’t work and just puts people of color in danger of severe discrimination. Again, REI did not fail because of crime. It failed because it was an overpriced business model. This isn’t an indicator of Portland dying; it’s an indicator that big businesses suck. Hopefully, they’ll lower the rent for that space and get a good local business in there with time. The sky is NOT falling.

I disagree with the REI business model being a significant culprit, as A) I've ventured in there many times in the past and it is always packed, B) it's other stores (Clackamas, Tualatin) are also always packed when I've been in, so the demand is not lacking given the consistent (as least how it appears to me) customer base and demand, C) "overpriced" seems subjective, as their products tend to be in line, price-wise, with other competitors (Next, Polar, Portland OS, etc.), D) they noted crime/theft (which given the documented occurrences in the recent past, doesn't seem doctored or fake) and the lack of space in its current location (which is accurate, that store is to small for its britches for an REI), both of which are viable business concerns that should factor into their model going forward, and E) their "overpriced" business model has worked (well) in that location for two decades. It might feel outpriced given the current economic situation, but that's not solely REI's fault.

I'm sad to see this, along with several other significant businesses, close in the downtown area in the past few years, and I believe there are several compounding factors that have attributed to it. Increase in crime/theft, the failed drug legalization that was poorly implemented, the lack of security/cop presence (yea yea, hate me for approving the presence of cops, but it works and believing a city without consistent cop presence and action on crime is a pipedream), a city council that is inept at making and implementing effective improvement and change, and high business tax rates that enable businesses and individuals to move out of state, thus creating economic holes in blue city centers and less taxpayers to the city.

I agree we are run by stooges as you say, but REI did not fail because of a flawed business model. It failed because of the variety of reasons listed above, with the city, its tax rates, lack of security, weakness on crime/drugs, inflation, and slow/mismanaged recovery from the pandemic. I also agree the sky is not falling, but the city needs to do better at accommodating small and large business, because that provides much needed jobs and is the grease that allows the city's economy to run like a more effective, positive machine for everyone.

[NOPO]

Originally Posted by pdxsg34

I disagree with the REI business model being a significant culprit, as A) I've ventured in there many times in the past and it is always packed, B) it's other stores (Clackamas, Tualatin) are also always packed when I've been in, so the demand is not lacking given the consistent (as least how it appears to me) customer base and demand, C) "overpriced" seems subjective, as their products tend to be in line, price-wise, with other competitors (Next, Polar, Portland OS, etc.), D) they noted crime/theft (which given the documented occurrences in the recent past, doesn't seem doctored or fake) and the lack of space in its current location (which is accurate, that store is to small for its britches for an REI), both of which are viable business concerns that should factor into their model going forward, and E) their "overpriced" business model has worked (well) in that location for two decades. It might feel outpriced given the current economic situation, but that's not solely REI's fault.

I'm sad to see this, along with several other significant businesses, close in the downtown area in the past few years, and I believe there are several compounding factors that have attributed to it. Increase in crime/theft, the failed drug legalization that was poorly implemented, the lack of security/cop presence (yea yea, hate me for approving the presence of cops, but it works and believing a city without consistent cop presence and action on crime is a pipedream), a city council that is inept at making and implementing effective improvement and change, and high business tax rates that enable businesses and individuals to move out of state, thus creating economic holes in blue city centers and less taxpayers to the city.

I agree we are run by stooges as you say, but REI did not fail because of a flawed business model. It failed because of the variety of reasons listed above, with the city, its tax rates, lack of security, weakness on crime/drugs, inflation, and slow/mismanaged recovery from the pandemic. I also agree the sky is not falling, but the city needs to do better at accommodating small and large business, because that provides much needed jobs and is the grease that allows the city's economy to run like a more effective, positive machine for everyone.

Thanks for a reasoned response. Maybe this store seemed packed, but were those customers buying? Because I definitely still think the major cause of REI closing was not crime, but lack of profitability. It also seems they were having a dispute with their landlord. I think a lot of the problem with so many empty retail spaces in Portland is that landlords refuse to lower rents to attract smaller businesses.

Also, I’m not against cops. I’m against more of them. We need social workers and mental health workers. Expand Portland Street Response, not armed cops.

[sopdx]

"Spokesperson Megan Behrbaum said the building requires significant investment to address issues and the company has been unable to reach an agreement with the landlord"

I'm not saying that crime is not a big factor, but I think this is the real reason - crime is a better headline.

[CorbinWarrick]

Originally Posted by sopdx

"Spokesperson Megan Behrbaum said the building requires significant investment to address issues and the company has been unable to reach an agreement with the landlord"

I'm not saying that crime is not a big factor, but I think this is the real reason - crime is a better headline.

Because crime DEFINITELY can’t be the reason right? Lol

[NOPO]

Tell us how you really feel.

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by pdxsg34

REI to close only Portland store, citing break-ins, theft



Continues ($)

I would keep my eye on this one because I am not buying this reason for closing the store. The fact that they will keep it open until early next year makes me think that "crime and theft" isn't as big of an issue as it's being made out to be.

I have a feeling REI is playing the crime card to get the city to help them secure a larger space and possibly some tax credits. The mayor has already released a statement that everything is on the table and REI knows how bad this would look for the city if they closed their downtown store.

My guess is by the fall, there will be an announcement for a new location for REI downtown that is much larger and better located than their current location.


Also to go along with this, reading from someone who lived in this building for many years, it sounds like REI splits the cost of building maintenance with the residents in the building, and I wouldn't be surprised if they wanted to stop having to pay for this or they wanted more control over where their money goes to with the building and the building owner didn't want to work with them. Which this would suck for anyone who owns in that building because fees for the residents are probably about to spike.

[DMH]

And now for a more upbeat contribution...

We were out of the country for almost 6 months. Returned to Portland less than 2 weeks ago. I have walked around my neighborhood, along both NW 21st and 23rd, and I saw no homeless tents and very little graffiti. Maybe it was a fluke, I don't know. I saw new businesses going in. Then on Sunday we walked down to Darcelle IV to take a friend for her birthday to the drag brunch. We all were amazed and pleased by how cleaned-up both the Pearl District and Old Town are! I do not think that we saw even one homeless tent. Tents are concentrated along ODOT land of I-405. That freeway cleanup money ran out, but I think that Mayor Wheeler got Gov Kotek to provide some additional funds until June or July.

The cleanup of Old Town seems to have moved the epicenter of drug activity to SW 4th Washington. But to assert that the City and County are clueless is inaccurate. The Mayor, the County Chair, and the Governor are all over this big mess. We do need more police officers, mental health & drug addiction specialists, public defenders, and shelter spaces. Money is in the pipeline. While I am frustrated at how long it has taken to see results, I am optimistic that we will see more improvement over this coming year.

As for bullets flying randomly through office buildings, I am almost reluctant to bring up what is obvious ...that the US is awash with guns. Certainly that is not the case in the countries where I stayed, where I did not fear being gunned down in public.

[uncommon.name]

Originally Posted by DMH

And now for a more upbeat contribution...

We were out of the country for almost 6 months. Returned to Portland less than 2 weeks ago. I have walked around my neighborhood, along both NW 21st and 23rd, and I saw no homeless tents and very little graffiti. Maybe it was a fluke, I don't know. I saw new businesses going in. Then on Sunday we walked down to Darcelle IV to take a friend for her birthday to the drag brunch. We all were amazed and pleased by how cleaned-up both the Pearl District and Old Town are! I do not think that we saw even one homeless tent. Tents are concentrated along ODOT land of I-405. That freeway cleanup money ran out, but I think that Mayor Wheeler got Gov Kotek to provide some additional funds until June or July.

The cleanup of Old Town seems to have moved the epicenter of drug activity to SW 4th Washington. But to assert that the City and County are clueless is inaccurate. The Mayor, the County Chair, and the Governor are all over this big mess. We do need more police officers, mental health & drug addiction specialists, public defenders, and shelter spaces. Money is in the pipeline. While I am frustrated at how long it has taken to see results, I am optimistic that we will see more improvement over this coming year.

As for bullets flying randomly through office buildings, I am almost reluctant to bring up what is obvious ...that the US is awash with guns. Certainly that is not the case in the countries where I stayed, where I did not fear being gunned down in public.

That is great to hear and I hope it continues all over the city.

[NOPO]

Originally Posted by DMH

And now for a more upbeat contribution...

We were out of the country for almost 6 months. Returned to Portland less than 2 weeks ago. I have walked around my neighborhood, along both NW 21st and 23rd, and I saw no homeless tents and very little graffiti. Maybe it was a fluke, I don't know. I saw new businesses going in. Then on Sunday we walked down to Darcelle IV to take a friend for her birthday to the drag brunch. We all were amazed and pleased by how cleaned-up both the Pearl District and Old Town are! I do not think that we saw even one homeless tent. Tents are concentrated along ODOT land of I-405. That freeway cleanup money ran out, but I think that Mayor Wheeler got Gov Kotek to provide some additional funds until June or July.

The cleanup of Old Town seems to have moved the epicenter of drug activity to SW 4th Washington. But to assert that the City and County are clueless is inaccurate. The Mayor, the County Chair, and the Governor are all over this big mess. We do need more police officers, mental health & drug addiction specialists, public defenders, and shelter spaces. Money is in the pipeline. While I am frustrated at how long it has taken to see results, I am optimistic that we will see more improvement over this coming year.

As for bullets flying randomly through office buildings, I am almost reluctant to bring up what is obvious ...that the US is awash with guns. Certainly that is not the case in the countries where I stayed, where I did not fear being gunned down in public.

We need housing first, shelters are just a bandaid. The majority of funding should be going toward actually giving people housing. It has been proven to be cheaper than the triage we currently do. And, yes, social workers and mental health workers. More Portland Street Response. But no to more armed police. Have you been paying attention to the disgusting racism and homophobia coming out of the PPB? No additional money should be going there and the force needs to be dismantled and heavily investigated.

[AdamUrbanist]

Originally Posted by NOPO

We need housing first, shelters are just a bandaid. The majority of funding should be going toward actually giving people housing. It has been proven to be cheaper than the triage we currently do. And, yes, social workers and mental health workers. More Portland Street Response. But no to more armed police. Have you been paying attention to the disgusting racism and homophobia coming out of the PPB? No additional money should be going there and the force needs to be dismantled and heavily investigated.

Providing housing is cheaper for any one individual. That doesn't mean this is a scalable solution, at least not in the short term. The root problem is that we don't have enough housing for the number of people who live here. Catching up on the shortage is the ultimate solution but it's a generational project even in an optimistic scenario.

Given the timeline, it's naive to think that allowing large numbers of people to live on the street for decades while we build enough housing is a politically viable solution even if you think it's a compassionate one. There are very real structural issues we will be reckoning with if we don't find an interim solution that addresses the impact homelessness is having on the rest of society. The driving constraint is time, not money.

[NOPO]

Originally Posted by AdamUrbanist

Providing housing is cheaper for any one individual. That doesn't mean this is a scalable solution, at least not in the short term. The root problem is that we don't have enough housing for the number of people who live here. Catching up on the shortage is the ultimate solution but it's a generational project even in an optimistic scenario.

Given the timeline, it's naive to think that allowing large numbers of people to live on the street for decades while we build enough housing is a politically viable solution even if you think it's a compassionate one. There are very real structural issues we will be reckoning with if we don't find an interim solution that addresses the impact homelessness is having on the rest of society. The driving constraint is time, not money.

Look up Finland. It works.

[2oh1]

Originally Posted by NOPO

Look up Finland. It works.

Look up Finland's climate. It kills.

There's a reason why people can't live on the streets in Finland. They'd die.

[NOPO]

Originally Posted by 2oh1

Look up Finland's climate. It kills.

There's a reason why people can't live on the streets in Finland. They'd die.

Right. Totally ignore that they succeeded in eliminating almost all homelessness with housing first.

[CorbinWarrick]

Originally Posted by NOPO

Right. Totally ignore that they succeeded in eliminating almost all homelessness with housing first.

Why do you think the vast majority of these ppl just need “housing”? These are fentanyl and crack addicted individuals who wouldn’t know how to be responsible with housing. Then if we decide to force them to treatment that gets pushback. Stop thinking “all they need is housing”

THEY NEED REHAB!

[NOPO]

Originally Posted by CorbinWarrick

Why do you think the vast majority of these ppl just need “housing”? These are fentanyl and crack addicted individuals who wouldn’t know how to be responsible with housing. Then if we decide to force them to treatment that gets pushback. Stop thinking “all they need is housing”

THEY NEED REHAB!

Yelling. Ok.

I never said we shouldn’t supply social workers and mental health workers in conjunction. And addiction is an illness and drug use should never be a barrier to getting housing. We need clinics so people can safely use.

[twofiftyfive]

In Finland people leave their babies in their strollers outside the supermarket while they shop. The US has about as much in common with Finland as it does with the moon.

[NOPO]

Originally Posted by twofiftyfive

In Finland people leave their babies in their strollers outside the supermarket while they shop. The US has about as much in common with Finland as it does with the moon.

Gee, maybe we should have more social workers and mental health workers. Oh, and build enough dense housing so everyone has an abode. That would be crazy in the US, though. Just impossible.

All it would take is political will supporting housing first which actually works. It works.

[MarkDaMan]

We are far, far away from the Pearl District...Let's get back on topic.

[uncommon.name]

... but crime isn't a factor, right?

Crime affects downtown shopping habits, nearly 90% of Portland Tribune readers surveyed say



On Monday, REI announced its plan to close its downtown Portland Pearl District location, citing an increase in crime and decrease in quality of experience for its employees and shoppers.

We asked our readers how they feel about REI's recent announcement in an unscientific survey, where nearly 1,000 readers across 40 zip codes responded they feel "sad," "awful," "horrible," "furious" and "sickened" by the news of the closure, and that the closure announcement was also "understandable" and "predictable."

Nearly 90% of 996 respondents said that crime has affected their downtown shopping habits, with 11.11% of respondents replying it has not affected them.

Read more here...

[CorbinWarrick]

I was told it’s DEFINITELY not crime killing downtown Portland, it’s because the business’s are unionizing lol