PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — With Christmas Eve just three weeks from today, there’s hope that Portland’s downtown businesses will see an increase in visitors.
A large task force has been working on recommendations for several months on how to revitalize Portland’s central city, which includes downtown and portions of southeast and northeast Portland along the Willamette River.
The findings, from Governor Tina Kotek’s task force, will be released on December 11 at the Leadership Summit in Portland.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors like the homeless crisis, open drug use, and public safety concerns, companies have either left Portland’s central city or are working remotely.
This past week, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler released this statement to employers in the central city:
“I again call on all other levels of government, all private sector employers, academic institutions, not-for-profits, and community-based organizations to follow the City’s lead of at least 20 hours of in-person work per week by January 1st, 2024, for remote/hybrid staff.”
While that’s one way to bring people back to the central city, what are some other ways?
Last month, Steve Dunn interviewed a member of the Goveror’s Central City Taskforce.
Lance Randall, Executive Director of the Oregon Black Business Association joins Steve Dunn on this week’s edition of Your Voice, Your Vote.
