SOREL is staying put.
Three months after Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle threatened to pull the subsidiary brand’s headquarters from downtown—citing safety concerns tied to homelessness—the company now says it won’t move.
“The response from the community has reassured us that together, we can find a solution to the challenges that face businesses and individuals downtown,” Columbia said in a statement.
Boyle’s threat prompted Mayor Ted Wheeler to outlaw sitting during the day in front of Columbia’s flagship store in Downtown Portland. DIRK VANDERHART
THE CITY OF PORTLAND’s cleanup crews might soon start snatching tents from state-owned land.
A bill that passed the state Senate and House of Representatives with virtually no opposition would grant the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) permission to pay city contractors to clear camps that spring up along interstates—and any other ODOT-controlled property within city limits.
The agreement would allow ODOT to duck requirements of two court settlements it reached with homeless campers, allowing cleanup crews to swoop in after 48 hours’ notice as opposed to 10 days in some instances. DVH