Portland thoughts.

I have seen more graffiti and I did finally see trash on a light rail car at about 9:30 p.m. I am not going to be able to post much over the next couple days because the conference starts in earnest. (Plus, my new travel advice--don't leave home without a wireless network-accessible computer. Even dive restaurants in Portland have wireless connections...)

I will say a few things about Portland. One, it is probably the biggest collection of independent retail in the United States. It's amazing. Independent stores and services all over the city, EVEN DOWNTOWN. I spent 8 hours in a commercial district on Sunday (that included talking to proprietors) and that's merely one of as many as one dozen distinctive areas. Toy shops, book stores (not to mention Powell's), restaurants, of course resale shops, etc.

It's all dependent on "a large stock of old buildings" that allow for reasonable rents to support innovative and entrepreneurial uses.

Two, to have such a base of independent businesses means that there is a culture that supports entrepreneurialism and small business. Maybe we just aren't that innovative in DC although I think a lot of it has to do with the rents. These thriving commercial districts have large sectors with rents that are much lower than the asking prices on H Street, which is anything but thriving.

Three, I have been impressed with the quality of some of the new construction here. The Pearl District is pretty amazing. It's a high density neighborhood being built in an old warehouse and railroad district. It's made more valuable by transit connection by the Portland Streetcar. But the buildings are pretty damn good. In DC, too many buildings have contextless architectural "adornments" that are just ugly and anything but timeless. In the Pearl District, quality architectural embellishments add beauty and distinctiveness to a neighborhood that has a great industrial and railroad heritage, and takes the district into new directions architecturally.

Four, Portland has a variety of REQUIRED DESIGN GUIDELINES--design guidelines for the city, regardless of whether or not the neighborhood is a designated historic district, design guidelines for SIGNS! Streetscape guidelines, pedestrian guidelines. Now a developer might think that is too much but it makes a huge difference in the quality of the architectural environment.

The retail sign environment here is amazing. I've taken dozens of photos of mere retail signage. The average sign for a retail store is as good or better than the Expressive Signs on H Street, although not so arty.

And some great store names such as Imelda's for women's shoes, and Home Ec. for a resale furniture store.

Fifth, there is something to be said for the density directions here. More about that later. (The Pearl District is one example. Riverplace, a new urbanist development is another--although I think the design feels more authentic in Pearl, but they have real buildings to work with and set context--plus Union Station Portland.