The Paper Patch, 21 Exchange Street, is the First Casualty of the Ban on Vehicular Traffic.  Other Closures are Expected to Follow.

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Well into the street closure program on Exchange Street, the city’s Economic Development Office, directed by Greg Mitchell, has issued a survey to some of the businesses affected by its ban on vehicular traffic.

A similar inquiry to businesses on Exchange Street was never issued at the outset of the ban of vehicular traffic on it.  Rather, the ban was implemented by Justin Costa’s Anti-Economic Development Committee with little notice and suspiciously without consulting  businesses on the Street.  Since that time the 51 year old,  The Paper Patch, 21 Exchange Street, the oldest business in the Old Port, has announced its upcoming closing because of the ban on vehicular traffic.  Others are expected to follow suit.

For The Paper Patch it is not feasible to sell paper products on the street.  That idea defies realty.  Racks of clothing on Exchange Street?  Don’t think so Chair Costa. Other businesses are in the same bind.

It has long been the goal of city officials to make Portland a walkable city.  This ban is in alignment with that policy.  On the other hand, retailers in the general area have long complained of a lack of parking for tourists.  Foot traffic on Exchange Street has been seriously compromised since the ban on vehicular traffic went into affect.

The unscientific survey is composed of nine questions:  name of business, address, floor of building, nature of business, etc.  When the information is collected, the Costa Committee will vote on renewing the ban on vehicular traffic.  Too late for some businesses that were never consulted on the wisdom of such a ban.

Councilor Costa is running for the at-large seat on the city council to be vacated by Councilor Jill Duson because she is not running again.  She has been chair of the Anti Housing Housing Committee.  Her legacy as chair, is one of someone who offered no legislative relief for renters during the city’s long-term gentrification process.

Jessica Grondin, city spokeswoman, has not responded to an inquiry as to why businesses on Exchange Street were not consulted before this devastating policy was implemented earlier this year.

Please see post herein dated July 16, 2020 on the closing of The Paper Patch because of the ban of vehicular traffic on Exchange Street.