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Central city sees 20 percent reduction in crime
In the Business Improvement District, crime is down 20 percent in the first quarter of 2007, compared to the same time period in 2006. Crime in all of Central Precinct is down by 15 percent to date, while the entire city has seen a
reduction of only 8 percent. A tremendous amount of work and dedication by our Clean & Safe security team and the Central Precinct police officers helped to accomplish these results.
During March the Clean & Safe security patrols engaged in 17,675 interactions with individuals on the streets of downtown Portland as they continue to enhance the safety and security of citizens in the Business Improvement District. These
contacts included 5,195 business assistance and referral contacts, 6,499 pedestrian contacts, 89 arrests, 240 park exclusions and an additional 96 non-enforcement problem solving contacts.
Drug- and Prostitution-Free Zones extended
Alliance staff testified at City Council on April 11 in support of a request by Mayor Potter for an extension of the City of Portland's drug- and prostitution-free zones. The Alliance advocated for a six-month extension to allow time for a
Council approved oversight committee to study the effectiveness of the zones in reducing drug and prostitution related crime and make formal recommendations for changes and/or its continuance. Council approved the request for extension by
a 4-0 vote. The oversight committee is to report back to Council with its findings by September 30, 2007.
Shelters and restroom efforts still underwayEfforts continue to locate and finalize plans for temporary day shelters in the Central City, and to site additional restrooms and seating in critical areas. Alliance staff is
working with City leaders on this effort, and the Alliance and property owners in the Downtown and Lloyd Business Improvement Districts have pledged to provide some funding for the day shelter when the entire package, including a new
sidewalk obstruction ordinance, is complete. The City Council is expected to vote for final passage of the proposed sidewalk obstruction ordinance when these efforts are complete.
Burnside/Couch Project moves forward
After a contentious six-hour hearing, the Portland City Council unanimously voted on April 11 to move forward with the next stage of the Burnside/Couch couplet project. This project will turn West Burnside and Couch into one-way streets
between 2nd Avenue and Interstate 405, and includes a new streetcar line. The concept of the couplet was first approved by Council in 2002.
The couplet is expected to improve many issues associated with Burnside that make it a barrier between north and south portions of downtown, including safety, urban design and transportation. Currently, Burnside has some of the most
dangerous intersections for pedestrians in the city; the couplet design will reduce the crossing distance for pedestrians. In addition, the couplet will allow for left turns, improving the connections between residential, retail and
employment areas on either side of Burnside. Finally, the couplet is forecasted to create significant redevelopment opportunities that will improve the look and feel of Burnside and reduce the number of "closed doors" facing the
street.
With this vote, the project will move forward with preliminary engineering. Scheduled to take one year to complete, the preliminary engineering work will result in a better understanding of the total project cost. City Council also voted
to move forward with design work on an enhanced Burnside Plan as an alternative, should the couplet prove financially prohibitive.
Macy's joins in the fight against shoplifting Laurie Sorensen, Vice Prevention of Loss Prevention and Safety for Macy's, and Mark Stebbe, Director of Stores Loss
Prevention, traveled to Portland in March to meet with the Alliance's Mike Kuykendall and Bill Sinnott to discuss the Clean and Safe program and other crime prevention efforts supported by the Alliance and downtown property owners. The
group also met with Central Precinct Commander Mike Reese and Downtown Neighborhood DA Laurie Abraham. Macy's plans to be very proactive in downtown public safety issues and will be providing facilitators from their Loss Prevention Program
for the Alliance's Theft Accountability Class, joining other downtown retailers in this very successful program combating shoplifting.
Hundreds of hours logged by work crews in March
Thirty defendants successfully completed the Theft Accountability Class in March. The Downtown DA Legal Assistant reviewed a total of 143 misdemeanor cases for prosecution and referral to the Westside Community Court.
In March, 157 defendants were ordered by the Westside Community Court to perform community service on the Westside work crew. The work crews removed 70 bags of trash and 25 pieces of drug paraphernalia. In all there were 496 hours of
community service performed by defendants from Community Court. These hours of community service include work at the Blanchet House and at Loaves and Fishes.
Sidewalk Ambassadors survey downtown parking and restaurants
In March the Ambassadors completed an exhaustive survey of public parking offered downtown. This included details of where street, lot and structure spots are generally available, as well as the numbers of parking spots per block. This
information will be included in the latest version of the Downtown Parking Map offered on the Alliance's web site.
As the Alliance prepares to issue the 2007 edition of the Dining Guide, the Ambassadors spent hours visiting restaurants and poring over the current listings to assure the most current information is accurate. Walking past establishments
everyday, the Ambassadors are in the perfect position to know when a new spot opens up or changes its management or menu.
Two new ambassadors join the green team Lena McConnell and Greg Hempel joined the Alliance in March as its newest Ambassadors. With years of extensive travel
and work in the customer service industry under her belt, Lena is excited about the diversity of interactions in the daily life of the Sidewalk Ambassador. Greg is a senior in Portland State University's Urban Planning program, and his
work at Ben and Jerry's the past six years provided him with both management and customer service experience that will come in handy as he greets the public.
What people are saying:
"I didn't think I would like Portland from the news reports I have seen. This young man [John, Ambassador #12] was so nice and helpful that I can't wait to come back for more shopping and entertainment." - D. Brown, Salem, OR
"Patricia [Ambassador 18] was very helpful and answered our questions with precise info." - Anonymous, Sierra Madre, CA
"[Merlin, Ambassador 10] noticed right away that we were looking for a place to eat and very helpfully pointed out three close places to eat. Thanks!" - L O'Connor, Olympia, WA
Downtown Retail Council reviews downtown plan
The Downtown Retail Council reviewed Tad Savinar's Block by Block Redevelopment Report, prepared by Shiels Obletz Johnsen, Inc. The report identifies a 117 block area to improve the appearance of the ground floor facades along the bus mall
on 5th and 6th avenues. This plan suggests improvements such as additional exterior signage, sidewalk improvements, lighting enhancements, and shelter improvements in an effort to activate the streets through open-air markets, leaning
rails, sidewalk cafes, vendor carts, curbside internet pads, and engage open spaces on the mall for events, retail, and to ensure safety.
Holiday campaign increases positive view of downtown
The Downtown Marketing Initiative released a poll reporting a 17percent increase in the positive perception of downtown Portland after the close of the six-week 2006 Holiday Marketing Campaign. The Downtown Marketing Initiative Advisory
Board is reviewing options to create additional funding. Additional funding will give the Initiative the opportunity to continue marketing downtown Portland and efforts to drive business in downtown for spring 2007 and beyond. The Alliance
is supporting this effort with the
www.downtownportland.org web site, which has received more than 750,000 hits since its launch in November 2006.
Oregon Sports Hall of Fame & Museum opens new store
The Oregon Sports Hall of Fame & Museum has reinvented its museum store, and is now featuring active apparel and merchandise from the Portland Trail Blazers, as well as area colleges, providing the organizations a downtown retail location
like those of Oregon's Duck Shop and Oregon State's Beaver Fan store.
The Oregon Sports Hall of Fame & Museum recognizes, appreciates and archives Oregon's rich athletic history. Its goal is for this legacy to inspire participation in sport and foster awareness of the values and life-long rewards gained from
this participation.
The museum is located at 321 SW Salmon. Store hours are 12-5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Additional information:
www.oregonsportshall.org and 503.227.7466.
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