Part of what makes Portland the incredible place it is - are the many unique business districts throughout the city - many located in District 2! From St Johns, to N. Mississippi, to Alberta-Killingsworth, Fremont, Lloyd District, and Hollywood - independent family owned stores and restaurants shine the quirky independent nature of who we are. In fact, Small Businesses make up 94% of all businesses in Portland - that is something to be cherished, supported, and celebrated!

We need to continue to invest in our independent business owners, work hard to minimize empty storefronts, and celebrate the arts and culture in each neighborhood community.

Laura is on the board for The St Johns Boosters Business Association. They are a very active group of business owners that work hard to build up all businesses within the St Johns neighborhood. It’s a mix of brick and mortar shops, restaurants, home businesses, larger industrial companies on the port - all working to make our business community stronger.

One way the St Johns businesses have been successful these last few years is that they have had an investment from Venture Portland to have a district manager. All business districts should have a dedicated effective manager to work on grants, call PEMO, the police, PBOT, navigate city systems, and help plan community events. That’s a LOT for business owners to take on in addition to running their businesses.

If we want our whole community to thrive - having bustling business districts that are part of that eco-system sustain a vibrant livable neighborhood.

The Oregon Arts Watch wrote a great article about a brief put together by local arts advocates to highlight how critical it is to have leaders who get how important the arts are to our city and our economy.

I was the coordinator of the Arts and Economic Prosperity Study for Portland and Multnomah County that is referenced heavily in the brief.

Click the link below to learn more.

Arts + Culture 2024 Brief

Laura was the Project Coordinator of the Arts Economic and Prosperity Survey (AEP6) in 2023 working with RACC and Americans for the Arts. The arts are an important part of our economic ecosystem. To dive into the report, AEP6 City of Portland 2022-2023 click on the link below.

Data for the Arts in Portland

There's a LOT of talk right now about the seismic situation at the Keller Theatre in downtown Portland.

This 100+ year old theatre needs some major seismic upgrades if it is going to continue to be a space for our Portland Opera, Ballet, and touring Broadway shows. All these performances make up MILLIONS of dollars of revenue for performers, venue staff, and stagehands who work to set up and manage the shows as well as the restaurant, retail, transportation, and lodging around the Keller.

To close the Keller to renovate for 2+ Broadway seasons would be devastating just as audiences are coming back from the COVID pandemic. Union jobs would be lost, artists, performers, behind the scenes jobs - all gone.

And there is a very real possibility that we would lose out on the first run Broadway tours if we had to pause for 2 years.

There are other options to keep the shows running at the Keller while a new facility is built - one that will actually ADD to the efficiency of loading shows in and out and therefore creating more work, more revenue and more continued support for our city.

Info for the PSU Proposal HERE

Info for the Keller Proposal HERE

Info for the Lloyd Center Proposal HERE

We can also have a chance to reimagine the Keller as a continued space for creativity for community once a new performing arts venue is is built and the Keller can then be renovated. Arts education, affordable space for working artists, and small arts organizations can be housed in our new Keller.

There is a proposal being put to the current city council to reimagine space in the Lloyd Center's former Nordstrom building to turn it into a 4000+ person concert venue. This is being put forth by local concert producer Monqui Presents with AEG and is now in a race with Live Nation to build a similar sized venue over in the Central East Side.

Laura believes like Lloyd Center proposal is a better fit for Portland as it is spearheaded by a locally owned group, by repurposing space that is empty, accessible transit options exist, as well as parking. We also keep the city land in the hands of locals.

More info about the music venue HERE

Friends of Noise, a nonprofit dedicated to providing all ages concert spaces for youth as well as work force training is about to transform the former Strip Club - the Dancin Bare into an all ages youth venue. Laura loves this for a million different reasons.

1. Revitalizing underutilized spaces

2. Adding to our Creative Economy through job training, entertainment, and safe spaces for youth to enjoy

3. Located near transit, affordable housing, retail, and restaurant spaces which would an added anchor for the Kenton neighborhood.

More info at Friends of Noise