The homeless situation truly is much less oppressive than a year ago at this time.
Back then, while visiting, I wrote about returning a rental car around nine o’clock on a Sunday morning, walking back to my downtown hotel and feeling like I was in zombie movie due to the number of zombie-like people staggering around. Add unkempt tents sprawled along the sidewalk in every direction.
They’re gone.
Just the occasional schizo, the occasional tent, but generally clean, civil streets devoid of snarls and the foul odors that a year ago emanated from defiant homeless men and women crapping in public view on sidewalks
Two different views on this:
The proprietor of a high-end chocolate shop within the upscale Heathman Hotel: Until recently, the city allowed homeless folk to set up tents anywhere they wanted throughout the city, night and day. No more. And police are actually permitted to enforce the ban. The “local” homeless are still around, seeking shelters. But the immigrant homeless from other states, who arrived to take advantage of Portland’s once lenient laws, have generally moved on to more accepting locales—probably San Francisco. It is the latter (those from other states) who apparently gave the local homeless a bad name.
The security guard at Nordstrom differs. “It’s fine during the day,” he told me, “but they still come out to play at night.”
Law enforcement and security personnel generally see the scummier side of humanity so this cynical view is not a surprising, but in my limited visit I concur with the chocolate gal because much progress is apparent.
A Day in Portland
A caffeine infusion at the Little River Cafe on the lively, vibrant riverfront.
Then a one mile walk (and back) along the Willamette to Portland’s Old Town and famed Saturday Market, a carnival of creative artisans…
And Voodoo Donuts for regaining expended calories…
Then a drive to quaint Lake Oswego, a flavorful brunch at Domaine Serene before viewing several houses. (Cannot be officially homeless forever.)
Although I meant to stroll Nob Hill (NW 23rd) and visit New Renaissance Books, it is hard to leave the riverfront walkway scene—and dinner alongside is a gem of an Italian called Il Terrazzo: charcuterie, carbonara and Willamette Pinot Noir.