PORTLAND, Ore. — New results from a survey posited by Portland's leading business group suggests improvements in several areas related to perception and commercial performance.
The Downtown Portland Clean & Safe, an arm of the Portland Metro Chamber, revealed that the number of businesses who believe they've lost customers "due to the reputation of downtown" dropped to 79% in 2023 from 87% in 2022. The Downtown Portland Business Surveys were issued last October.
What's more, 30% of respondents said their business improved over the past year while 32% said their business levels remained the same. The other 38% reported business declines.
Those experiencing downturns blamed homelessness (93%) and perceived safety issues (84%), according to DHM Research, which performed the survey for Clean & Safe.
Other key figures from the survey:
- The percentage of businesses needing graffiti removal has decreased from 78% to 72%.
- The need for repairs to windows, doors, and buildings has decreased from 77% to 67%.
- Instances of employees quitting due to safety concerns have also decreased from 50% to 45%.
Further, a full 73% of respondents based in Old Town said they plan to remain in downtown, in line with the 74% mark logged from the 428 businesses that participated in the survey.
The survey aimed "to identify factors and trends affecting business operations and commerce in downtown Portland." It further sought satisfaction levels with Downtown Portland Clean & Safe District programs, to which respondents gave good marks.
For example, "91% of respondents viewed the holiday and winter lights in downtown and Old Town as a positive enhancement to the downtown area, marking an increase from 89.85% last year," according to the survey.
The Portland Business Journal, a news partner of KGW, has more details on the Downtown Portland Clean & Safe survey.
