There's a spring in our step.
It's been about a year since our last Staff Spotlight – and a lot has changed since then! We welcomed Cary Tyson as our new executive director; we adapted to the "new normal" of living & working during a pandemic; and we took on new challenges and opportunities as an organization. As the days shine brighter thanks to vaccines and to Portlanders who Stay The Course, there's a palpable feeling of hope and optimism in the air. We hope you enjoy this springtime update from Portland Downtown's "small but mighty" staff. |
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Last month marked one year since the beginning of the pandemic. What have you learned in the past year? |
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CARY: The value of spontaneity. Besides travel, what I miss most is spontaneity. The "Hey, let's grab a drink after work, or I saw there's still tickets for a show at X, want to go?" has been lost to me. I miss the unexpected and will do my best to appreciate it when it returns.
AMY: I hit the road last fall, taking full advantage of the fact that I was working remotely to see more of the United States. Through this adventure, I have learned: to haul a camper (and pick it up after dropping it); the ins & outs and ups & downs of scheduling camping on the fly via various apps (Hipcamp, RVParky, Harvest Hosts); that you can buy the same food that they sell in Portland, Maine (almost) anywhere; how to winterize a camper (I was in Texas during the deep freeze); and how to deal with my waste (aka find creative ways to recycle and compost, and empty a black water tank).
TAFFY: I've learned that I really can work from home and that I enjoy it! I've also learned to practice patience. So much has been beyond our control this past year that there's absolutely no need to stress.
ADAM: It's been such a trying time locally and across the globe, but I've tried to find the silver linings where I can. For me, slowing down has been a blessing. The idea of time affluence is key to a happy life, I think, and the pandemic gave us time to "pause" and reevaluate what matters most.
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It's finally spring! As the days grow longer and warmer, what are you most looking forward to? |
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CARY: Being fully vaccinated (just got my second shot!) Patio & parklet dining. Live music outdoors. Camping (I've got a couple of reservations at state parks for later this season) and Sea Dogs baseball.
AMY: Returning home and connecting with more of you for safe 'walk & talk' meetings, my favorite pandemic development! I miss being in Portland and spontaneously running into friends and colleagues on the go, something that I used to have to build in time for when walking to yoga or a meeting downtown. While I've been spoiled by warmer weather in the south and out west, you can't beat a Maine summer, and it will be good to reconnect with the wild places around the state again.
TAFFY: Spending more time outside and eventually being able to share a cocktail al-fresco with our small but mighty staff of four. In addition to working well together, we also enjoy each other's company and laugh a lot. Being together again will be really nice!
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There's a lot on the horizon for Portland Downtown! Tell us about some or your current or upcoming projects. |
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CARY: We have an idea we're calling Downtown Academy. We're not going to be able to implement it until we can all safely gather in one space but it's going to be pretty terrific when launched. More to come!
AMY: I am very excited about the final stage of Portland Downtown's CDBG-funded Bike/Ped project in partnership with the City of Portland. There will be three bicycle repair stations going in next month, with an event planned for Bike to Work Day on May 21st. You'll get all the information as this fun and informative event takes shape, so stay tuned. This project also included adding bicycle parking to downtown and Bayside, and updating the pedestrian wayfinding signs downtown. We're looking forward to these improvements supporting active commutes and visitation this summer!
TAFFY: It's Board election time! Along with our Governance Committee, I am knee-deep in the exciting prospect of filling the available positions with people committed to our wonderful downtown and Portland Downtown's mission.
ADAM: We just released this video (it gives me all the feels) and next up is a street banner project with MECA, the creation of our 2020 Annual Report, and a summer beautification project with downtown businesses. Stay tuned!
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What are you listening to / reading / watching now? |
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CARY: I've got the new(ish) albums from Foo Fighters, Jason Isbell, Chris Stapelton & the Old 97s. I always have Def Leppard on my playlist owing to a weird connection I have with the band.
AMY: My sister-in-law is studying music therapy (that's a thing!), and she's been sending me a lot of music – from songs that she creates for class (she's so talented!), to covers and originals that inspire her. I'm in Mississippi as I report this, so I've been listening to the Mississippi-inspired anthems that she sent my way, including U2's Heartland and Van Morrison's Tupelo Honey. I'm reading Julia Cameron's The Listening Path, which gives me inspiration on my hikes and trail runs when I stop to give myself a driving break. I spend 100% of my work time on a screen these days, which is way too much screen time, so I'm watching some breath-taking sunsets and the stars at night! I removed the television from my Airstream when I bought it last summer - you need all the space you can get when you live in a camper - so no watching anything on a screen beyond your faces in a Zoom meeting for me.
TAFFY: In order to maintain a certain calm, I prefer keeping my video and print intake light and/or entertaining so I've been reading some Anne Tyler, Harlan Coban, Ann Rivers Siddon as well as Kate Russo's new book Super Host. After watching a few Netflix movies I will never recover from (predictable plot and bad acting!), I really enjoyed The Queen's Gambit and revisited the Blacklist for a little intrigue.
ADAM: I'm revisiting Fiona Apple's astonishingly good Fetch The Bolt Cutters. The album was released about a year ago and couldn't have been better timed (it came in like a wrecking ball during quarantine)! I also just picked up Cook This Book by Molly Baz. I'm looking forward to creating some epic meals & treats.
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Name a new-to-you downtown spot you can't wait to check out. |
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CARY: I'm looking forward to the relocated Arcadia National Bar. I was thrilled that their Kickstarter is so quickly funded (I gave) and while I'll deeply miss Port City Music, I'm glad to see this space find a reuse while allowing for an expanded Arcadia.
AMY: There are ten public parks and squares in downtown, and I am looking forward to seeing what evolves for these public spaces this summer, particularly in Congress Square Park under the leadership of Friends of Congress Square Park's new executive director, C.J. Opperthauser. (Spoiler - There are big plans for a certain bike repair station in the park!)
TAFFY: Believe it or not, in the decades I've been in Portland, I have never been to Street & Co.! Also on my list, our new neighbor Broken Arrow and while it's not new to me, I have really missed the Longfellow House garden! In general, I am looking forward to visiting favorite downtown shops and seeing familiar faces again!
ADAM: I'm still thinking about the amazing Take & Bake Lasagna Kit I got from Leeward the other day. Next up I'd like to try Uncharted Tea. And I'm with Taffy: Broken Arrow is just two doors down from our office – and I can't wait to visit!
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