Portland's downtown area is facing one of the highest office vacancy rates in the nation, with the challenges particularly evident in the Old Town neighborhood. Empty buildings now stand alongside a concentrated network of social services and visible homeless populations, creating a complex urban landscape that reflects the city's broader struggles.
However, an innovative art initiative is working to change perceptions of the neighborhood by transforming vacant storefronts into a vibrant, open-air art gallery. The project features a self-guided walking tour that allows visitors to view artwork displayed in previously empty retail spaces, all free of charge and visible directly from the street.
Matthew Claudel, who works with Field States, an urban design and real estate firm, explains that their efforts are specifically focused on the Old Town/Chinatown area, where the city's challenges are most apparent. "We got to take care of the problem where it's the worst," Claudel said. "It's got great history. It's also one of the places where you see the highest vacancy rates and the most boards on windows."
The project aims to attract more people and businesses back to the downtown area by demonstrating the transformative power of art and creative spaces. Claudel believes that the visual appeal of these artistic installations can make a significant difference in how potential tenants view available properties. "A space that looks vibrant, a space that looks creative, a space that you can peer into and imagine their future in that space is a lot easier to lease than a space with boarded-up windows," he explained.
The initiative has gained substantial support from local property owners, with 17 building owners recently donating their vacant storefronts to showcase the work of 17 local artists. The project organizers are covering insurance costs for these temporary installations, with the broader goal of demonstrating how art can serve as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization and economic recovery.
Laura Lesueur, owner of Elle Gallery, has been particularly invested in the project's success. Her gallery is one year into a five-year lease and serves as the starting point for the self-guided walking tour. Lesueur views this initiative as a meaningful way to support the neighborhood through art, especially during a time when many businesses throughout the city are facing significant challenges. "When you make a commitment, you know that's really when you start investing," Lesueur said. "I wanted to be able to learn the neighborhood, and contribute and invest in the neighborhood."
While similar art-based revitalization models have been implemented in other major cities like San Francisco and Seattle, this Portland project has its own unique characteristics. Artist Kim Smith Claudel, who has her artwork displayed at the Starlight Affordable Apartments as part of the initiative, finds particular meaning in the project's accessibility and community focus. "To create art that's on the street that is accessible for all people is a gift," she said.
The free, open-air gallery is scheduled to run through December 1, giving both residents and visitors several months to experience the transformed streetscape. The positive response to the initiative has already generated momentum for expansion, with organizers announcing plans to bring similar projects to additional Portland neighborhoods in the near future. This growth suggests that the art-based approach to urban revitalization may become a broader strategy for addressing vacancy and economic challenges throughout the city.
