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A new—and better—normal

As we begin to relax our stay-at-home order, Portland's shops and restaurants will need much more space to safely reopen at full capacity in the coming months.

To solve this problem, we seek to turn our main streets into outdoor cafés, open-air retail, public plazas, and pedestrian promenades.

​We'll work with local businesses and community organizations to make this happen in a community-driven, grassroots way.


In addition to boosting local business, pedestrian plazas make for a healthier and more social community. They’re places where people can meet with friends, people-watch, sit for a cup of coffee, or stroll with a lover in a beautiful, welcoming environment. They’re places for live music, dancing, and all sorts of exciting activities.​

Promenades are exactly what Portland needs moving forward. They are the physical spaces that will help businesses thrive and bring the people of our city closer together by having more fun—rain or shine!

Recent examples (updated 5/22):

Denver, CO: https://kdvr.com/news/coronavirus/denver-may-shut-down-streets-to-allow-more-restaurant-seating-during-pandemic/

Tampa, FL: https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2020/05/18/tampa-street-cafes-could-become-regular-event.html 

Berkley, CA: https://sf.eater.com/platform/amp/2020/5/14/21258980/berkeley-coronavirus-covid-19-jesse-arreguin-street-closures 

Portland, ME: https://wgme.com/news/coronavirus/portland-approves-plan-to-close-streets-for-outdoor-dining-shopping

Seattle, WA 
https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2020/05/29/43784732/dan-strauss-calls-for-allowing-outdoor-dining-in-the-middle-of-ballard-ave-nw?fbclid=IwAR22LWCkfUbnRKuA5gw9aaOxNceXYV4i4PCd9WEjhMCDinXA14j6LWX_KaA
​

Wilmington, DE: https://www.starnewsonline.com/news/20200519/survey-most-favor-closing-streets-for-wilmington-dining

Hopewell, VA: https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/the-tri-cities/hopewell-to-close-streets-downtown-to-accommodate-outdoor-dining/

Indianapolis, IN: https://www.wthr.com/article/indy-close-several-major-streets-help-restaurants-expand-outdoor-dining ​

Vilnius, Lithuania: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/28/lithuanian-capital-to-be-turned-into-vast-open-air-cafe-vilnius

Tel Aviv, Israel: https://ftnnews.com/tours/39510-pedestrian-friendly-tel-aviv-to-have-11-new-pedestrian-streets
“Designing streets for people, that make it easier to bike, easier to walk, and easier to take the bus — that’s the kind of recipe for the future success of cities.” ​
—Janette Sadik Khan, former NYC DOT commissioner

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