Peter Platt, owner of the Peruvian restaurant Andina located in the heart of Portland’s Pearl District, has become a keen observer of the urban landscape through the floor-to-ceiling windows of his establishment.
He frequently takes a moment to gaze outside at the bustling scene on NW 13th Avenue, contemplating the changes that have unfolded in the city around him.
The closure of outdoor retailer REI in early 2024 marked a significant shift for Andina, which Platt feels has transitioned from being a casual stop for pedestrians to a destination restaurant at the end of the line.
This change impacts foot traffic, a crucial metric that reflects the retail health of the area.
Platt has noted a decline in activity in the Pearl District since the onset of the pandemic, stating that his restaurant, operating for 22 years, relies on its strong reputation but acknowledges that even destination dining has its limits in attracting patrons.
He believes that Portland’s neighborhoods would greatly benefit from the development of pedestrian corridors filled with shops and restaurants that encourage foot traffic and reduce car dependency.
The closure of REI has left a gap in a path that previously allowed visitors to travel from the southern end of the Pearl to the area around NW 14th and Johnson.
With fewer reasons to visit, the neighborhood’s appeal has waned, creating a psychological barrier for residents from outer neighborhoods who now choose to avoid downtown.
“I don’t go downtown anymore,” is a sentiment echoed by many, according to Platt.
The narrative surrounding Portland’s struggles in recent years is familiar: the pandemic curtailed travel, businesses shifted to virtual platforms, and rising crime rates have cast a shadow over downtown.
Business owners have voiced their concerns to local officials, calling for proactive measures to restore the city’s vitality.
In response, authorities increased police presence and recently repealed Measure 110, which decriminalized minor drug possession.
Despite these efforts, the anticipated vibrant urban landscape—filled with families and tourists walking between blocks and carrying shopping bags—remains elusive.
However, there are signs of renewed activity.
Recent data from Downtown Portland Clean & Safe indicates that foot traffic within the urban core has seen a 3 percent increase in 2024 compared to the previous year and a significant 58 percent rise since 2021.
A particularly bright spot occurred in February 2024, attributed to favorable weather and events such as the Portland Winter Light Festival and the Biamp Portland Jazz Festival, which led to a 10 percent increase in visitors compared to February 2023.
Yet, as Platt notes, addressing the causes of downtown’s tourism slump is complex and might require more than just policy adjustments.
With business travel diminished due to remote work solutions and entertainment options shifting to in-home experiences, the incentive for people to venture out has dwindled.
In a nearby establishment, Scott Congdon runs the trendy Hoxton hotel at NW Fourth Avenue and Burnside Street.
He reflects on a busy weekend after hosting the band Deftones shortly before mid-February 2024.
However, the vibrancy of the weekend came with its challenges as he dealt with a hit-and-run incident involving a guest’s car and the need to eject another patron from the bar due to intoxication.
Congdon notes that while maintaining busyness is currently a positive trend, it shares commonalities with city-wide issues regarding supply and demand in the hospitality sector.
During the late 2000s, as Portland became a sought-after destination, the city witnessed an influx of hotel developments.
New boutique hotels and chains invested significantly in the city, preparing for an expected surge in visitors.
From 2018 to 2020 alone, multiple hotels—including the Woodlark, Kex, Jupiter NEXT, and the Hoxton—were established, expanding accommodation options throughout Portland.
However, by the time upscale hotels like the Ritz-Carlton began welcoming guests in 2023, the market had already faced an oversupply of rooms.
According to data from Travel Portland, hotels in the city center sold over 400,000 more room nights in 2019 than in 2024, despite having slightly fewer rooms available for booking.
The ongoing absence of business travelers and events exacerbates the struggle for hoteliers in this context.
To improve Portland’s image post-pandemic, Travel Portland launched an advertising campaign in The New York Times, emphasizing the city’s protest culture as a representation of passion and vibrancy.
The agency also tapped influencers to showcase local experiences and invited well-known figures in food and art to visit the city.
While hotel rentals have not reached pre-pandemic levels, Travel Portland’s vice president of communications and international tourism, Marcus Hibdon, reports gradual progress.
Despite the challenges of booking lead times for events, Hibdon expresses optimism as positive sentiment spreads among visitors who share their enjoyable experiences in Portland with others.
“We’re still recovering,” he acknowledged.
“But word of mouth is working in our favor again.”
As Portland continues its path to revitalization, the convergence of culture, tourism, and community efforts remains crucial to its recovery.
image source from：https://www.pdxmonthly.com/news-and-city-life/2025/06/portland-tourism-after-covid
