Portland City Council Passes Storefront Support Program

The Portland City Council today voted unanimously to launch the development of a Storefront Support Program to strengthen and stabilize the city's small business community.

Brought forward by Councilor Dan Ryan, the resolution directs the City Administrator to develop a roadmap for a coordinated, citywide program that improves conditions for storefronts, aligns City services, and provides better data and response systems to address challenges faced by local businesses.

"Small business owners have told us clearly-they need a City that listens, responds and acts," Councilor Ryan said. "This is about rebuilding trust, supporting our neighborhood main streets, and ensuring Portland's economic recovery reaches every corner of the city."

The Storefront Support Program would:

• Establish citywide systems to track and respond to storefront vacancies.
• Coordinate City bureau responses to crime, vandalism, and nuisance issues impacting local businesses.
• Identify staffing, funding, and data needed for long-term program success.
• Strengthen collaboration between Prosper Portland, City workgroups, and community stakeholders.

The resolution requires the City Admistrator to submit a comprehensive plan to Council by January 31, 2026, and that will inform Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget discussions.

"This resolution will have a real, positive impact for our public-facing storefronts," Councilor Ryan said. "Portland's small businesses are the heart of our neighborhoods and our city's economy. When they succeed, Portland succeeds. I look forward to supporting our City Administrator's Office as they develop plans to make City services more responsive, transparent, and coordinated for the business community."