Streets That Keep A City Honest

While I was reading about Portland’s eye toward Tacoma (or at least one writer’s eye toward us), I came across another story that may be of interest to you.  In it the writer talks about Portland’s 82nd Avenue.

I’ll admit it’s not beautiful. It doesn’t have the hottest clubs or gallery-hopping First Thursday crowds. But 82nd Avenue from Sandy Boulevard south to the Clackamas County line does things no city can do without.

First, the street reminds us that our economy still requires things. Words and ideas may be the stock in trade of college professors and the creative class, but cities need places to find used travel trailers, scout out discount appliances and hunt down new sound systems installed in beat-up Toyotas.

A couple of years ago I bought a small pickup. I wanted to cover the cargo bed so my 12-year-old golden retriever could stay dry when we drove around on errands or headed up to Mount Hood. My Yellow Pages list four firms on 82nd Avenue that fabricate and install pickup canopies, including Canopy Corner and Canopies Unlimited, and two more within shouting distance.

Every city needs a place for its own version of Canopy Corner…

As I read this I think of places like South Tacoma Way and parts of Pacific Avenue – places that many of us eye as great next steps for redevelopment, refurbishment, and revitalization.  Maybe they are what they are for a reason and they keep us honest as a city. 

Plus, maybe this is the heart of change for our city.  In both the Portland and Tacoma examples, these streets are the primary roads through many of our immigrant communities.  As these communities have kids and grow, it changes the demographic profile of the city and the potential voting future of the city.  In Portland this has created more conservative enclaves in an otherwise liberal city.  What does it mean for Tacoma? 

While we think of downtown Tacoma as our future, it may be that places like South Tacoma Way will truly be our future.  Population density.  Basic services and new retail stores.  Cheap office space for new businesses.  Maybe I’m watching the wrong part of town in trying to understand where we’re going.  Maybe I should get out more…

Link to The Oregonian