Yay! Long overdue. Happy to see PBOT has reversed its prior position that nothing would be done to fix 23rd until the total rebuild for the streetcar extension went in.
Thanks to Olivia Clark and Eric Zimmerman who I understand were pushing for action.
I found this so incredible that I stopped a phone conversation with a friend to read it to her. She doesn’t even live in Portland any longer (now in Vancouver) but was as excited as I was. FINALLY.
I know you work hard for us and it is recognized and appreciated! Maybe some days you ask yourself why on earth you came out of retirement but I hope you know how much great work you are doing for Portland.
Councilor Clark, thank you for your efforts to get NW 23rd paved—improvements like this are noticed and appreciated.
At the same time, many of us nearby in the Pearl District are dealing with serious, day-to-day challenges. There’s been a noticeable rise in open drug use, public disorder, and ongoing safety concerns around Safeway and nearby residential buildings. Reported crime in the area has increased in recent years, and property values have come under pressure, which is deeply concerning for residents who live and invest here.
There’s an expectation among those of us experiencing these impacts that city leadership—including the Mayor—take clearer responsibility for the outcomes tied to low-barrier shelters, and ensure there is a better balance between homeless services and neighborhood safety and livability. I hope this is something you (and the other councilors) consider focusing more attention on, as I’m sure many Pearl constituents will be weighing this when they vote.
Yes! I recently met with Pearl District neighborhood association so very aware. I have asked the Mayor to close the Northrop shelter or at least lower the number of available beds as well as bring back the shuttle that transported them to other services in the morning. We also need more law enforcement and mental health services. Thx
Thank you for your response —I agree. The Northrup shelter didn’t seem well-situated in a densely populated residential and commercial area that has already weathered challenging COVID years, and it’s still unclear what the long-term plan is for eventually closing or transitioning these sites. These facilities shouldn’t become permanent fixtures in any neighborhood without a clear path forward.
The Oasis Day Shelter, as it currently operates, is also concerning. These shelters (we also “host” the low barrier Navigation shelter) appear to be inordinately concentrating challenges such as unmanaged substance use and related disorder in Northwest Portland. The surrounding community has been negatively affected, and it feels like these concerns are not being addressed. I know so many of us would appreciate some improvement (and hope) in this regard soon, so your attention on it is appreciated.
Yet another reason why I’m voting Arnold/Clark/Zimmerman this November.
Yay! Long overdue. Happy to see PBOT has reversed its prior position that nothing would be done to fix 23rd until the total rebuild for the streetcar extension went in.
Thanks to Olivia Clark and Eric Zimmerman who I understand were pushing for action.
I found this so incredible that I stopped a phone conversation with a friend to read it to her. She doesn’t even live in Portland any longer (now in Vancouver) but was as excited as I was. FINALLY.
So happy! I pushed hard to get PBOT to act. So pleased for the neighborhood.
I know you work hard for us and it is recognized and appreciated! Maybe some days you ask yourself why on earth you came out of retirement but I hope you know how much great work you are doing for Portland.
Thank you! You made me smile.
Councilor Clark, thank you for your efforts to get NW 23rd paved—improvements like this are noticed and appreciated.
At the same time, many of us nearby in the Pearl District are dealing with serious, day-to-day challenges. There’s been a noticeable rise in open drug use, public disorder, and ongoing safety concerns around Safeway and nearby residential buildings. Reported crime in the area has increased in recent years, and property values have come under pressure, which is deeply concerning for residents who live and invest here.
There’s an expectation among those of us experiencing these impacts that city leadership—including the Mayor—take clearer responsibility for the outcomes tied to low-barrier shelters, and ensure there is a better balance between homeless services and neighborhood safety and livability. I hope this is something you (and the other councilors) consider focusing more attention on, as I’m sure many Pearl constituents will be weighing this when they vote.
Yes! I recently met with Pearl District neighborhood association so very aware. I have asked the Mayor to close the Northrop shelter or at least lower the number of available beds as well as bring back the shuttle that transported them to other services in the morning. We also need more law enforcement and mental health services. Thx
Thank you for your response —I agree. The Northrup shelter didn’t seem well-situated in a densely populated residential and commercial area that has already weathered challenging COVID years, and it’s still unclear what the long-term plan is for eventually closing or transitioning these sites. These facilities shouldn’t become permanent fixtures in any neighborhood without a clear path forward.
The Oasis Day Shelter, as it currently operates, is also concerning. These shelters (we also “host” the low barrier Navigation shelter) appear to be inordinately concentrating challenges such as unmanaged substance use and related disorder in Northwest Portland. The surrounding community has been negatively affected, and it feels like these concerns are not being addressed. I know so many of us would appreciate some improvement (and hope) in this regard soon, so your attention on it is appreciated.