January 2024

Clean & Safe Works Tirelessly

Through Winter Storm

Executive Director of Downtown Portland Clean & Safe, Mark Wells, penned a heartfelt letter to highlight the dedication and compassion shown by the Clean & Safe vendors during the January winter storm. Thanks to the leadership of our Site Manager with GardaWorld, Kevin McGraham, every security shift remained staffed throughout the winter weather event. Despite freezing temperatures and icy conditions, our public safety team performed dozens of welfare checks to ensure the wellbeing of our most vulnerable community members. 

“My operations staff and I press safety first to our janitorial and safety vendors - we always have and will continue to prioritize their personal wellbeing. This storm proved yet again how dedicated our team and security program leadership are to downtown businesses and the community,” said Wells.  

Twice a year, Downtown Portland Clean & Safe looks at foot traffic and the number of visits for the whole district, as well as individual intersections in the Downtown area using Placer.ai. The prevailing trend is one of growth, with increased year-over-year foot traffic growth of 10% for the total 2023 year, when compared to 2022. Notable was the 40% increase in foot traffic in January 2023 and then a sustained growth of 5%-10% for most other months from 2022.  Downtown Portland Clean & Safe uses Placer.ai to monitor pedestrian traffic in its 213-block area district. We monitor the number of people in the Downtown area, the times of day people are coming Downtown, which days of the week are busier, and the areas they are frequenting. 

UNICO Holds Ankeny Triangle

Press Conference

On December 13, Downtown Portland Clean & Safe, Unico Properties LLC, Mayor Ted Wheeler, Commissioner Carmen Rubio, and local businesses gathered to deliver an update on the Ankeny Triangle Improvement Project. This project aims to improve the livability and cleanliness of the Ankeny Triangle area. The event officially revealed a stunning new mural, highlighted the cleanup of the Car Wash fountain, promoted the many business opportunities in the Ankeny area and encouraged Portlanders to explore and support local shops in Downtown.  

Congratulations to Portland Gear on their newest store in downtown Portland! Since moving into their space downtown, Portland Gear has already seen a 141% increase in sales. The Downtown Portland Clean & Safe and Portland Metro Chamber teams gathered at the shop on the corner of SW 10th Avenue and SW Harvey Milk Street to celebrate this exciting new addition to our central city and the power of shopping locally.  

Portland Winter Light Festival,

 Feb. 2-10

Downtown Portland Clean & Safe is proud to be a sponsor of the Portland Winter Light Festival again this year. The 2024 theme is “What Glows Under Pressure” and will feature more than 120 installations and performances across the city with many in the Downtown core. The festival will run from February 2 to February 10. Grab your family or friends and come downtown to brighten up these winter nights. You can even join the festivities by lighting up your home or business in the official festival colors.  

Seeking Two New Sidewalk Ambassadors

Downtown Portland Clean & Safe is seeking two motivated self-starters with clear, concise communication skills and a wealth of knowledge about downtown Portland for the Sidewalk Ambassador program. Downtown Sidewalk Ambassadors are walking concierges responsible for providing visitors and locals alike with highly visible and world-class hospitality. They are a customer service focused group that is seeking individuals who are not afraid to approach strangers on the street to provide information and wayfinding, live an active lifestyle and are committed to downtown Portland.     

2024 State of the Economy & State of Downtown Reports Unveiled, Feb. 15

Please join us as Dr. Mike Wilkerson from ECONorthwest presents the findings from the annual State of the Economy reports. We'll be delving into the emerging data on migration, job growth, and the positioning of Portland among its new peer cities. Also, we will present the second year of the State of Downtown & the Central City report that builds on last year’s economic benchmarks for our Central City. Join us as we unravel what the upcoming year has in store, providing insights into the questions that have been on everyone's minds.

These annual reports are led by the Portland Metro Chamber and the Value of Jobs Coalition partners and sponsored by Bank of America and Downtown Portland Clean & Safe.

We’re excited about these new businesses opening in downtown Portland. Make sure to support our local community by visiting the businesses below: 

• Hood River Distillers “Tasting Outpost” - 426 SW Broadway 
• The Yard Milkshake Bar - Pioneer Place Food Hall 
• Icarus - 1215 SW Alder St  
• SIXT Rent-A-Car - SW Pine and Broadway 
• BASED General Store - 1236 SW Alder St. 

If you have opened in 2023 or plan on opening a retail business downtown this year, please reach out to our Downtown Retail Advocate, Chase McPherson.

If you are a business or property owner located within the

Clean & Safe District, please call 503-388-3888.

Our SAFETY coordinators,

can help with:

• Disorderly behavior
• Public drinking
• Individuals sleeping in doorways or blocking access
• Advice on a security issue

Our CLEANING crew,

can help with:

• Cleaning the sidewalk
• Removing graffiti on the building walls facing the street, no higher than 8'
• Picking up needles or other biohazards

Hours of operation:

Cleaning: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Security: 24/7

For an emergency, you should call 9-1-1 immediately. Call Clean & Safe AFTER you have confirmed a police officer is on the way to your location.

For non-emergencies, call the Portland Police at 503-823-3333.

The Downtown Retail Council (DRC) is the voice for Downtown Portland’s consumer business. Meetings are open to retailers, restaurateurs and hoteliers within the Downtown Portland and Old Town areas.

The DRC meets on the second Tuesday of each month (January - November) from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

We will see you in February 13!

For more information, email Sydney Mead.

Downtown Portland is our city’s heartbeat. It’s the urban center that brings together locals and visitors to eat, shop, explore and gather. From our city’s thriving retail district to its renowned restaurants, Downtown Portland offers countless reasons to come together.

This month we’re excited to feature:

Our team wants to support your business!

If you would like to be featured in an upcoming write-up, please email Sydney at [email protected].

Want to know more?

Discover more in Travel Portland's ultimate guide to Downtown Portland, featuring unique shops, unforgettable restaurants, iconic coffee roasters, and one-of-a-kind activities.

Portland is a hotbed of innovation and economic growth. A center of culture and creativity. A gathering place for Portlanders and visitors. It’s also the center of national attention for issues related to houselessness, safety, and tourism. Here’s what’s new:

• Kotek, Vega Pederson, Wheeler announce 90-day fentanyl state of emergency, Jan. 30
• After winter storm, volunteers clean up trash accumulated on downtown Portland's streets, Jan. 23 
• 2023 Analysis Finds County and City’s Extreme Weather Response Fractured and Disorganized, Jan. 22 
• Shootings increased in downtown Portland in 2023 despite city-wide reduction in violence, Jan. 22 
• Portland extends outdoor winter ice rink into February, Jan. 19 
• Will Portland's sky-high business tax rate come down in 2024?, Jan, 11 
• Top 10 Portland general contractor renews downtown lease, Jan. 10 
• Darcelle XV Plaza design shows flair will follow function in Portland’s former O’Bryant Square, Jan. 10 
• Resilience Renewed: The Transformation of Portland’s Hotel Market, Jan. 10 
• Downtown Portland tower's ground floor will transform into events venue, 'The Midtown', Jan. 9 
• Portland Parks invests $15 million to fully fund new skatepark in Old Town, Jan. 3 
• Owner of Industrial-Chic Office Building in Slabtown Aims to Turn It Into Mental Health Crisis Center, With Housing, Dec. 16 
• Portland outdoor ice rink brings family fun, hope to downtown, Dec. 16 
• Gov. Kotek, task force list 10 recommendations to ban public drug use, revive downtown Portland, Dec. 11 
• Unico Properties Advances Security at U.S. Bancorp Tower with First Autonomous Security Robot in Downtown Portland, Dec. 11 
• Central Eastside group hires a new executive director, Dec. 7 

Learn the Latest from our Affiliates

Downtown Portland Clean & Safe is a private, nonprofit organization that contracts with the Portland Business Alliance to provide enhanced cleaning and security services, marketing and economic development programs to downtown property owners.

The Downtown Portland Clean & Safe District provides extraordinary essential services to the people, places and businesses within a core 213-block area of our unique city. Operating since 1988, the district is one of the oldest, largest and most successful enhanced service districts in the nation.

Hours of operation:

Cleaning: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Security: 24/7 

Download District Map (pdf)

For service, call 503-388-3888.