To:Harry's Room Newsletter
Wed 4/3/2024 11:23 AM
Last week, we delved into the state of Portland and its staggering 30.2% downtown office vacancy rate, shedding light on the profound changes rippling through our urban landscapes. Today, I want to continue this conversation by exploring the transformative power of reimagining downtowns as vibrant, mixed-use districts that cater to the evolving needs and lifestyles of modern-day citizens.
The past few years have seen a seismic shift in how and where we work, impacting the very fabric of our cities worldwide. While many anticipate the return to the office as a panacea for downtown revival, the reality is more nuanced. Hybrid workers, a growing demographic, continue to frequent downtown areas, albeit not necessarily to the traditional office spaces. They gravitate towards cafes, coworking hubs, and other third spaces, injecting life and vitality into our city centers.
Reflecting on my own experiences living in downtown Portland from 2019 to 2023, I witnessed firsthand the dynamic evolution of urban neighborhoods.
Built in 2001, my first Portland apartment was a 750 sq ft two bedroom apartment. It was in Portland’s Pearl neighborhood. From the neighborhood’s charming parks, artisanal bakeries - I’d get my fresh coffee, and sweet pastries, while I spent an afternoon working on my computer, and during the basketball season I could walk over the Broadway bridge and be seated to watch the Portland Trail Blazers.
After me and my roommate spent a couple years there and his girlfriend had been living with us it was time for us to look for a place that offered more space. My second Portland apartment was a three bedroom town house in downtown Portland right off Burnside, one of the major street’s of Portland that connected the west and east side. In this vibrant neighborhood restaurants, stores, a school coalesced to create a thriving community. This neighborhood was more vibrant compared to the last neighborhood I lived in. At the time being a single guy living with roommates in the city of Roses, I was overwhelmingly pleased with my living situations.
As we chart a course towards downtown revitalization, it’s imperative that we not just focus on returning to the office but embracing a mixed-use approach that offer residential, entertainment, retail, and other types of diverse experiences will help revitalize cities. By rethinking transit infrastructure to attract a diverse mix of individuals into the city, we can foster inclusive, dynamic urban environments that pulse with energy and opportunities.
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