August Newsletter: Portland’s Japanese Garden, PDX Staycation, Shelters and Day Centers, and more

Hello Portland,

Summer seems to be flying by. August had some hit-and-miss weather, but it was still a packed month. Here's a look at what's been happening:

Parking Changes and Wins

In August-and continuing into September-Portland is extending paid parking hoursto 10 p.m. The original plan kept the two-hour parking limit, forcing people to either pay in short increments or move their cars just to enjoy an evening downtown.

That meant pulling out your phone mid-movie, leaving your restaurant shift to avoid a ticket, or interrupting your evening at home every two hours. Clearly, this was missing a commonsense approach.

I sent a letter to the mayor urging changes, then met with his team and PBOT to coordinate a better plan. I'm glad to share we got it fixed: starting at 5 p.m., you can now pay and park for up to five hours at once, regardless of posted time limits (except at designated five-minute quick stops).

The new hours are already in effect in the Central Eastside Industrial District and will roll out downtown starting September 2. While I don't support the extended hours or increased rates-I am glad we got a more commonsense approach in the payment options.

The Crown of Portland

I toured one of the world's finest Japanese gardens-perched above Portland like a crown.

Born out of post-WWII tensions, the garden was designed to highlight Japanese culture and strengthen bonds between our nations. Portland dedicated the former zoo site in 1961, and the gardens opened in the summer of 1967.

The garden was built from community donations, with Oregonians contributing plants pulled from their own backyards (as long as the plants were thought to be native to Japan). These were woven into our Pacific Northwest landscape, creating what Nobuo Matsunaga, former Ambassador of Japan to the U.S. called "the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan."

If you haven't been, I highly recommend a visit.

Upcoming Events: PDX Staycation

From September 12-14, downtown comes alive with PDX Staycation-a community-led activation effort by Portlanders, for Portlanders.

Expect live music, Timbers games, and special events across downtown. Restaurants, retailers, and local creators will roll out unique offerings and one-of-a-kind experiences. It's a chance to remind ourselves, and show others, what's possible downtown.

I hope to see you there.

Responding to Shelters and Day Centers

I've said it before: public trust and neighborhood collaboration are essential when new shelters or day centers open.

The mayor is on a fast timeline to add 1,500 overnight beds by December. The shelter at NW 15th and Northrup and the new day center in Old Town are moving forward.

The Northrup shelter is a chance for the mayor to finally enforce laws and end encampments under I-405, restoring livability to the area for the first time in years.

And in Old Town, a neighborhood already saturated with social services, this new day center must bring visible benefits. With strict enforcement, they can help give the neighborhood a much-needed second chance.

Neighbors expect clear commitments-and real follow-through from the city. When law and order break down, that trust disappears. I'll be watching these projects closely and urging the mayor commit to enforcing the laws already in place so that these neighborhoods feel a minimum impact as these services open.

What is Eric Eating?!

"Holy crap, that's good."

This month I went to Matt's BBQ Tacosin Sellwood.

They make tortillas fresh, and I couldn't resist ordering the queso appetizer (highly recommend). Between the tacos, queso, and atmosphere, it was a 10/10 experience.

Until next month,

Councilor Eric Zimmerman