[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6461168,"mediaKeyId","5825689-a9799f3685af25d0970b9760df0f9d82","parentId",5825689,"title","Committee directs city administrator to develop storefront support plan, resolution sent to full council","audioSeconds",4310,"startMs",414000,"endMs",4724000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825689-a9799f3685af25d0970b9760df0f9d82&start=414&end=4724","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825689-a9799f3685af25d0970b9760df0f9d82/thumbnail_414000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6461168/Portland/Multnomah-County/Oregon/Committee-directs-city-administrator-to-develop-storefront-support-plan-resolution-sent-to-full-council","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461168-bedc098a40c78c68fa0d8e3cd5be80ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152331&Signature=ZFx-Fz9rzBbZqB~o~jo~WeKGr71Up3tCO0-0Z4qsy3N0TtdJN~17bIlFhdeB7e5aH~9gNq9h-CMpb0irTEGetHhN56xpAovXeDqoBjfMBmZFllcixRR08Xfxee5~n7QcXVlFf1ldjF6ThRDxzZsdqMY74Qau-fi7v4PAYA-ncjLSwj9uZ-zWl3IVcLuavR0qXE3H8osWM5XL0M187NZgeuFkR6MSykhfkUUhBVTxg-cH3xc9fhbl~NrWRaQBxTvxn4dK674z4yUl3S04Go2xxsx-q~CMXK6WkvzyKZfs1BPaPbBxmpMlbcZRK0Ctdv5n9C9D86j~kfaP625WPlYpdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Portland, OR","date","2025-09-24T16:58:29.633Z","article","The Arts and Economy Committee on Sept. 23 voted 5-0 to send a resolution to the full City Council asking the city administrator to develop a detailed storefront support plan intended to help small, public-facing businesses across Portland.

The resolution, introduced by Councilor Dan Ryan, asks the administrator to produce a plan that will map vacant storefronts, formalize coordination between bureaus that address crime and livability, and identify staffing and funding needed to implement the program. The plan is due Jan. 31, 2026, and members said it will inform discussion during the 2026–27 budget process.

Councilor Dan Ryan said the plan grew out of prolonged conversations with merchants across neighborhoods, and cited an economist’s estimate showing a shortfall in business license receipts. “This explosion this morning will set back many of the small business owners,” Ryan said in reference to an unrelated early-morning Cartlandia food cart pod explosion; he added: “This resolution can have a real positive impact for public-facing storefront merchants.”

The resolution lays out three core tasks for the administrator: (1) track and map vacant storefronts to identify concentrations of vacancy that can attract crime; (2) develop a service model that streamlines responses by bureaus working on crime and livability issues, including the public environment management office, Portland Police Bureau, Prosper Portland and Portland Solutions; and (3) identify resources and a timeline for implementing the program. Ryan told the committee the goal is to “herd these cats” — to get bureaus working collaboratively and to provide a clearer avenue for businesses to find help.

Testimony from small-business owners and business organizations emphasized the urgency. Shelley Bigley, a longtime owner, said she has experienced multiple break-ins and violent incidents and asked for a helpline or a single point of contact to direct businesses quickly to appropriate services. “There’s got to be a better solution for support for small businesses,” Bigley told the committee. John Isaacs, executive vice president of public affairs for the Portland Metro Chamber, gave statistics about retail vacancy and small-business employment and urged a plan that minimizes regulatory hurdles and supports retention.

Police and operations staff described capacity limits during committee questions. Rob Simon, commander of the Detective Division with the Portland Police Bureau, said staffing and retirements have created response challenges. Anne Hill, director of the Public Environment Management Office (PEMO), described existing triage efforts — including contractor litter and needle pick-up and a planned sidewalk-cleaning program — and said a coordinated approach could link short-term triage to longer-term strategies.

The committee moved the resolution by motion of Councilor Dan Ryan, seconded by Councilor Clark. The roll call was Clark — Aye; Dunphy — Aye; Smith — Aye; Ryan — Aye; Green — Aye. The committee recommended the resolution be adopted by the full council.

Next steps: The city administrator will assemble relevant bureaus and community stakeholders, develop the plan and deliver it to the council by Jan. 31, 2026. Committee members signaled the plan will be revisited during the 2026–27 budget discussions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Portland City Council Arts & Economy Committee 09/23/25","oneSentenceSummary","Portland's Arts and Economy Committee voted unanimously to send a resolution to full council directing the city administrator to develop a coordinated storefront support program. The plan will map vacant storefronts, propose inter-bureau service changes and identify resources; it is due Jan. 31, 2026 and will be discussed in the 2026–27 budget.","taxTitle","Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon","taxId",2765,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6461159,"Committee forwards Serena Stoudemire Wesley reappointment to Prosper Portland board with recommendation to confirm",819,6599000,7418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825689-a9799f3685af25d0970b9760df0f9d82&start=6599&end=7418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825689-a9799f3685af25d0970b9760df0f9d82/thumbnail_6599000.jpg","/articles/6461159/Portland/Multnomah-County/Oregon/Committee-forwards-Serena-Stoudemire-Wesley-reappointment-to-Prosper-Portland-board-with-recommendation-to-confirm","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461159-9bbb28e3f1b5f801713651a047ac9a76/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152331&Signature=VR8Fc5K4G1xruRU4sme1Hqwx-ZKfMfphE6KO8fDr6h8CDOb4hBXr6l5gTt91Oj3D--sZQgTzyEDU7uOOCV1TZ2yTllwxVLuopMiJ9gXe-PAeOH4DH4TGk6KveQtVpLRjzo4p471AtY6PddhC9M2Jcn1cQdyhkefy-lHX8GszBy1e3wNBSawOw2cWJupKQIM~kZ3gZo6NdTloq64TRJL1m8VSab07ZdhVOzRWqo871byHJ60jDSWBVuh2vKGBCXjr2EVQdSoWdgO0pLVzNYzAqby5G9DtPlNaTT3yQHPxrTiitSixrYstAZv53OgVj~JbHbhqhEWD8acnSg37O0uF1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Arts and Economy Committee on Sept. 23 voted 5-0 to refer the mayor’s nomination of Serena Stoudemire Wesley to the full City Council with a recommendation that the council confirm the reappointment to the Prosper Portland Board of Commissioners.

Representatives from Prosper Portland introduced Stoudemire Wesley. Cornell Wesley (spoke for the agency) described Prosper Portland as the city’s economic and urban development agency, governed by a five-member volunteer board appointed by the mayor and confirmed by council. Board chair Tavo Cruz was present to support the nomination, and Stoudemire Wesley spoke about her priorities.

“Economic growth without investment in human development is unsustainable and unethical,” Stoudemire Wesley said, quoting Amartya Sen in her statement of interest and adding that she brings lived experience to board deliberations. The mayor nominated her to a new three-year term; the committee noted she first joined the board in 2020 to fill a partial term and would serve a full term that expires Sept. 30, 2028 if confirmed.

Committee members praised Stoudemire Wesley’s experience and community grounding. Councilor Smith said she supported the nomination and praised Stoudemire Wesley’s continued participation; Councilor Ryan called the nomination an important affirmation of the city’s partnership with Prosper Portland.

Motion to send the reappointment to the full council with a recommendation to confirm was moved by Councilor Clark and seconded by Councilor Smith. Roll-call votes were Clark — Aye; Dunphy — Aye; Smith — Aye; Ryan — Aye; Green — Aye. The committee’s recommendation now goes to the full council for final confirmation.","The Arts and Economy Committee unanimously recommended that the full council confirm Mayor’s nominee Serena Stoudemire Wesley for reappointment to the Prosper Portland Board of Commissioners; her new term would expire Sept. 30, 2028.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6461163,"Councilor pauses sidewalk-vendor code overhaul after mixed testimony; item returned to sponsor’s office",1853,4714000,6567000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825689-a9799f3685af25d0970b9760df0f9d82&start=4714&end=6567","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825689-a9799f3685af25d0970b9760df0f9d82/thumbnail_4714000.jpg","/articles/6461163/Portland/Multnomah-County/Oregon/Councilor-pauses-sidewalk-vendor-code-overhaul-after-mixed-testimony-item-returned-to-sponsors-office","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461163-63ba05d88a59f12f1328a01d0512cbf7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152332&Signature=nWEsnVbdjR7Unbvo-UjitGjdQPmpUeBobkWX0~uWVOx2~M7n7BJPHwTUgNMOielO2hPgtdc7~q2pwUj4Jvgxmzxjankiig0CPbpqo1GuEY03Xn8W3sWCdDFlxp594OekpcQCC02pYVs4ePbOfe2NMKiyVEuyQty-aDW6nh6WdmXSFMi6BC3OyjWn3eT9Gd4KOI5eXc7ekhGbs6b3QFsSET4kAJVBFGy7FUZ8u17EofRrLKTwAR-FBguPRCsU3lUljjzkAYzWUvVT7gz~OIEeGmMu3J4aDqGqJPNzxS8PE0O4mxR2i2tm5MFO6i~cEqhUXApdT~WOLLQmgBkdtt3XqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilor Green introduced an ordinance on Sept. 23 to amend Portland’s sidewalk-vendor code in order to promote sidewalk vending and reduce barriers for small entrepreneurs. The committee heard extensive public testimony for and against the changes and did not take a vote; Councilor Green said the item would be returned to his office for revision and further stakeholder engagement.

The proposed changes described by Green would lower or eliminate private-property veto power over vendors, remove a central-city prohibition on vending in parts of the right-of-way, broaden vending outside strictly commercial zones and remove design-review requirements specific to vendor installations. Green emphasized the proposal would not change existing health and safety obligations: vendors would still need to meet Multnomah County health requirements and any applicable fire or liability rules.

Supporters said easing rules would expand low-barrier entrepreneurship and enliven streets. Ryan Hashigen, who said he runs a manufacturing business in Old Town, told the committee that “Sidewalk vending is the most approachable and lowest barrier form of entrepreneurship” and credited vending as a starting point for other local businesses. Connor Lennon invoked Jane Jacobs and said vending “will deter crime” by creating more eyes on the street.

Opponents — including brick-and-mortar restaurant and property owners — warned about competition, liability, enforcement and impacts on existing businesses. Jesse Burke, owner of the Society Hotel and a former Old Town Community Association chair, described threats and vandalism his businesses experienced while working with law enforcement on unpermitted street activity and said the change “feels rooted in an economist’s fantasy, not a business owner’s reality.” John Isaacs of the Portland Metro Chamber cautioned that most micro-vendors do not generate city tax revenue and asked for additional stakeholder work to avoid undermining existing storefront businesses.

Committee members raised enforcement and public-health questions. Councilor Dunphy noted that city code (referencing Title 14 provisions in committee discussion) already provides police authority to address illegal sidewalk uses. Green said he would retain the requirement for Multnomah County health inspections and other public-safety checks. Councilor Smith and others asked Green to work with property owners, business groups and the county public-health bureau to address liability and enforcement concerns.

Rather than moving the ordinance forward, Green said he would refer the draft back to his office for edits and further outreach, including possible revisions to the 100-foot proximity rule and options to prioritize vending near parks or event sites. No committee vote on an ordinance was taken during the Sept. 23 meeting.","Councilor Green introduced an ordinance to loosen sidewalk vending rules — removing adjacent-property vetoes, expanding allowable zones and easing design review — but the committee did not vote and the proposal was returned to the sponsor’s office for revision after public comment and inter-departmental questions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee directs city administrator to develop storefront support plan, resolution sent to full council

Committee forwards Serena Stoudemire Wesley reappointment to Prosper Portland board with recommendation to confirm

Councilor pauses sidewalk-vendor code overhaul after mixed testimony; item returned to sponsor’s office