Summer events signal a return to Downtown Portland, city says, bringing boost to economy

Portland leaders are preparing for a summer full of events, and on Wednesday they held a press conference previewing some of the fun experiences – like concerts, parades, and festivals – that people can expect this coming season.

Mayor Keith Wilson said a slate of events will bring vibrancy to our city and boost the economy.

"We know that when someone attends an event in our city, they spend on average 36 dollars back to the economy." said Wilson.

He held the conference with representatives from Travel Portland, the Waterfront Blues Festival, Pioneer Courthouse Square, and more at noon on Wednesday.

Andrew Hoan with the Portland Metro Chamber says downtown is on the rebound, with close to two dozen retailers opening in the first 4 months of this year. A recent report from the Metro Chamber shows that there is a 54% growth in foot traffic from the low in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following two years of strong post-pandemic growth in foot traffic, downtown moved at a slower rate last year with a 3% year-over-year increase. That growth was primarily driven by an 8% increase in employee foot traffic and events like festivals and concerts.

Foot traffic in some central city neighborhoods has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, but downtown remains down about 40% of what it was.

READ MORE: https://katu.com/news/local/mayor-previews-summer-events-in-portland-highlighting-a-return-to-downtown-rose-city-grand-floral-parade-courthouse-square-festivals-parades-concert-summer-2025#

#concert #portlandnews #summer #rosefestival #pdxlive #pioneersquare #keithwilson
_______________
Stay up to date with our social media:

KATU on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katunews
KATU on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KATUNews
Subscribe to KATU on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmDTerxNU_gvCWLkIPkqghA/?sub_confirmation=1

Daily News Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFtHM_AbvnEUkd_YRTlZpGKkbczT5w062

For more information, visit https://katu.com/

Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:

Email us: newstips@katu.com
Call the Newsroom: 503.231.4222

KATU is a OR based station and a ABC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today.

#KATU #Katu2abc #Portland #Oregon #localnews #oregonnews

Author: KATU News
Go to Source

News post in at: April 24, 2025, 3:00 am.

Visit Our Sponsor’s:
News.Science – News Science