[0]…walking along West Burnside and NW Couch streets.
I personally canvassed business-by-business, door-to-door to invite owners and managers to a meeting January 4th, 5:00 pm, Port of Portland Building, to discuss the need to either (1) slow down the traffic on West Burnside or (2) establish one-way traffic couplets out of Burnside and Couch.
[0]Of course there are lots of other kinds of businesses along both streets; but the density of porn, live commercial nakedness and booze in downtown Portland is startling.
Among those with whom I talked, many had not heard about the couplet plan.
Some loved the idea; others hated it.
Some thought just slowing traffic on Burnside with more stop lights would be enough; others thought that option would push more drivers onto neighborhood streets.
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Most agreed Burnside was a very dangerous street for pedestrians.
Surprising to me, in the Brewery Blocks, I heard a lot of complaints about automobile gridlock within the Brewery Blocks partly caused by pedestrians.
Except for the Brewery Blocks, NW Couch was described by many as a challenged street.
[0]I look forward to the meeting with business owners to hear their views on which Burnside improvement option they consider best for street level storefront businesses.
In addition to meeting with business owners along West Burnside and NW Couch, I also will be meeting with the property owners along both streets. From them, I want to know which Burnside improvement option would be best for development and redevelopment along both streets.
I want to know from both groups if they will be willing to help pay for the improvements.
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After these meetings, I will present a recommendation to public for comment and to the City Council for consideration.