(Photo © J. Maus)
On Wednesday, the Portland City Council decided to extend the temporary permit for a carfree SW Ankeny Street between SW 2nd and 3rd Avenues through January 31st of next year.
The project is supported by adjacent businesses, who have agreed to pay the City of Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) for lost parking meter revenue. The initial permit was granted on June 20th and was set to expire on November 1st.
“The business owners agree that the summer pilot program has been good for business.”
— City Council ordinance
As our report and photos showed back in August, business owners on the street have set up picnic benches and umbrellas on the street in order to serve more customers. According to the official ordinance passed by Council Wednesday, “The business owners agree that the summer pilot program has been good for business.”
Many people have been less than enthused by the project because of the large, clunky, wooden picnic benches that are roped off and dominate the street. To pass through the space, you must use one of the narrow sidewalks.
Apparently, the business owners have heard public feedback. The ordinance says the street has been good for business, “however, they [business owners] are striving to make changes to provide a more interesting and interactive feel to the space.”