Storefront Support Program

Program Overview

Portland City Council directed the City Administrator to develop an action plan for establishing and implementing a citywide Storefront Support Program ("Storefront Program"). The scope and requirements of this project are outlined in Resolution 37718.

The Storefront Support Program envisions a Portland where blocks hum with a singular "Portland Vibe" — gritty, joyful, and safe — driven by full, diverse storefronts. In this vision, districts are bustling night and day, people feel safe to explore, and small business storefronts know the city is supportive and responsive.

The Storefront Support Program proposes a coordinated approach to retain storefronts, reinvigorate blocks, and reinvest in neighborhood-level economic development. The report was accepted by City Council on March 4, 2026.

See the report

Key challenges for storefronts

PEMO engaged with hundreds of storefront owners and employees to identify key issues faced across the city. While many remain hopeful and committed to the city, they face real challenges including safety concerns, vandalism, cleanliness, and a lack of support from city services.

Common themes from stakeholders

1. Portland's daytime and nighttime economy rely on the "Portland Vibe" – a sense of grit, joy, and safeness that allows for exploration in the city.
2. Diverse ground-floor storefronts are critical to supporting jobs, stability, and culture in the city.
3. Sidewalk routes need to feel accessible, well lit and safe.
4. When storefronts are filled, and blocks bustling, owners and customers feel confident and safe.
5. Storefront owners do not feel heard or supported.

Retain / Reinvigorate / Reinvest Framework

PEMO developed the Retain / Reinvigorate / Reinvest Framework in response to what stakeholders shared.

Retain - In areas that already have moderate to strong storefront conditions, we will provide resources and programs to ensure stability and occupancy.

Reinvigorate - In areas with poor conditions but stable storefront clusters, we will invest in public spaces, provide enhanced storefront support resources, and focus on reducing vacancies.

Reinvest - In areas with very weak storefront occupancy, serious long-term recovery headwinds, and very poor conditions, provide crisis-intervention and immediate investment.

To put the Retain / Reinvigorate / Reinvest framework into action, the Storefront Program will regularly review storefront cluster data across the city. Many support initiatives are already underway citywide. As a first step in the new coordinated approach, the program proposes 14 pilot areas to begin focused support and learn what works.

Pilot study and implementation areas

What we're working on now

PEMO is working with Prosper Portland and other city bureaus to continue to roll out our fields of action through spring and summer 2026. This includes:

• Creating a central intake - Coordinating storefront support requests through Portland Solutions via a unified response structure.
• Enhancing public spaces - Implementing basic cleaning of sidewalks in additional areas to create welcoming and accessible districts.
• Increasing sense of safety - Coordinating storefront crime victim support, and visitor and staff sense of safety, especially at night.
• Retaining existing storefronts - Coordinating improved outreach and awareness of programs that will directly retain and support storefronts.
• Implement activations - Coordinating and implementing enhanced activations activities that will improve storefront corridors.

Resources for storefronts

Meet with a district liaison from the Office of Small Business

Join a Problem Solver Meeting for public space issues