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The city’s Economic Development Committee voted unanimously yesterday to shut down some streets in the Old Port purportedly to provide assistance to businesses in their reopening in time for the summer tourist season.  Shutting down portions of certain streets and permitting restaurants and stores to conduct business on the streets is seen as a panacea for some.  It is slated to take place as of June 1st and is compatible with Governor Janet Mills Stage 2 reopening policy.

The policy is in alignment with the city’s policy of making Portland a more walkable place.  It began with Baxter Boulevard, a non-commercial area, a few years ago and is now spreading into a commercial zone with different issues and concerns.  This policy stomps out the little guy and favors the larger chains, a policy already in place by some landlords in the Old Port.  Some landlords are squeezing out the little guy by charging excessive rents that only chains can support.

This city policy, under the guise of altruism for restaurants,  could lead to an exacerbation of the already severe parking problem that exists in the Old Port.  In the past, the lack of parking in the Old Port has been an issue for merchants in the area.   The already scarce parking in the area has at times been an issue for members of the fishing industry as well. The city’s agenda is being rushed through in an effort to not give the public sufficient time to weigh in on such a major change to the area.

The shutdown of Old Port streets and consequently making parking even more scarce, will go before the city council on Monday, May 18th for its approval.

Please see post herein dated May 12, 2020 on the subject.