Business Support
Main Street™ Program

Toward a Portland Main Street Program

The City of Portland is proposing creating an urban main street program to help support and nurture neighborhood commercial districts. The program is being modeled on other urban main street programs found in such cities as Boston, Baltimore and Washington DC. Part of the process in establishing a program will be to see what opportunities there are for making Main Street unique to Portland.

The Main Street™ Approach

The Main Street approach is a community-driven, comprehensive method used to revitalize older, traditional business districts. Main Street programs advocate a return to community self-reliance, local empowerment, and the rebuilding of traditional commercial districts based on their unique assets: distinctive architecture, a pedestrian-friendly environment, personal service, local ownership, and a sense of community.

ORGANIZATION involves building a framework that is represented by business and property owners, bankers, citizens, business associations, and public officials. Everyone works together to see revitalization occur.

PROMOTION creates excitement for the district. Street festivals, parades, retail events, and identity development are ways to encourage new customer traffic. Promotion involves marketing an enticing image to investors, shoppers, and visitors.

DESIGN enhances the attractiveness of the business district. Historic building rehabilitation, new development, street clean-up, banners, landscaping and lighting all improve the physical setting of a business district as a quality place to shop, work, walk and invest in.

ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING involves analyzing market forces to develop long-term solutions to revitalization. New businesses, creative use of space, and sharpened competitiveness are outcomes of a more vital business district.

Partnering with Portland’s Neighborhood Business Districts

Portland’s commercial districts provide entertainment, shopping and services and contribute to the city’s vibrancy and praised quality of life. Many of Portland’s neighborhood commercial districts have seen a renaissance, and a few not only serve local residents, but have attracted national attention for their character, events and one-of-a-kind shopping and dining experiences.

The strengths and weaknesses of the commercial districts and their role within the fabric of the city become increasingly important as Portland continues to grow and revitalize its neighborhoods. Healthy commercial districts create opportunities for local business to start up and expand; contribute to sustainable lifestyles that allow residents to shop and eat locally; help preserve historical structures and contribute to an increased tax base. Yet as commercial districts redevelop, competition between the districts escalates; resources for business district assistance diminish; and many districts struggle to attract new investment.

To support and nurture its neighborhood commercial districts, the City of Portland is proposing the creation of an urban main street program.

To Learn More

The Main Street effort is being spearheaded by the Portland Development Commission, the Oregon Economic & Community Development Department, the Bureau of Planning, the Office of Mayor-Elect Sam Adams, and the Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations. Part of the process in creating the Main Street program will be to identify the prerequisites of funding, organizing and responsibilities.