Revitalize Portland Coalition re-engages with supporters at November 19th reception

Nearly 50 Revitalize Portland Coalition (RPC) supporters gathered at the offices of the Jordan Ramis law firm on November 19th to reconnect and hear from RPC President Jose Cienfuegos about the organization's plans for the future.

"Thank you all for being here, Cienfuegos began. "I’m honored to stand before you tonight as President of the Revitalize Portland Coalition — and I’m especially proud to launch a new chapter in our journey together."

"Portland matters. It matters to each one of us — as residents, as business people, as civic stewards — and our city’s story matters to its future," he continued. "Our Coalition exists because Portland deserves better. Our mission — to revitalize the Portland-metro region as a welcoming, vibrant community for residents, visitors, businesses — is rooted in that belief." 

"Tonight I want to talk about what’s demanded of us, what we will do, why we need you, and why there’s new energy behind it. Because yes — some of the issues we tackle are the same: public safety, homelessness, livability, Portland’s image. But what’s different is our commitment to move from talk to focus, from status quo to strategy, from inertia to momentum."

"For too long, we’ve watched our city struggle with issues that erode trust, erode pride, erode opportunity. Public safety matters — for our families, our neighborhoods, our workplaces. Homelessness matters — because it touches our humanity, our compassion, our economy. Portland’s image matters — because how the world sees us determines how we attract investment, talent, tourism, and how our residents feel at home."

"At RPC, we are the collective voice of commercial real estate and allied organizations — advising public officials, providing feedback, and using our position to push for genuine change.  But advisory is not enough any more. Advocacy alone is not enough. We must transform. And we must bring everyone with us."

RPC, according to Cienfuegos, will embark on a three-part action plan. "First — we will educate. We will equip business owners, residents, government officials, and every stakeholder with the facts: what’s working, what’s not, what the data says. RPC’s 'Take Action' resources show how citizens can watch meetings, testify, contact representatives.  That’s part of how we raise the tide."

"Second — we will hold decision-makers accountable. When public dollars are spent, policies enacted, terrain changed — we will ask: is it delivering? For our safety? For our neighborhoods? For our future? We will continue to interface with city and county leaders, and we will bring transparency, and we will demand results."

"Third — we will execute — not just advocate. Incremental change matters. We know nothing happens overnight. But if each month we move the needle a little, then six months from now we look back and say, 'Yes — we made progress.' If a year from now we look around and say, 'We turned the corner.' Because Portland is that important."

"Change requires fresh energy — and that’s what you’ll see from RPC now," concluded Cienfuegos. "We are refining our message, clarifying our objectives, forging new partnerships. We’re separating, in effect, from old dependencies — stepping into our own voice and our own identity. We are reaffirming our commitment to Portland first. The city’s name is in our Coalition for a reason."

"Though many issues remain the same, the way we engage, the way we strategize, the way we leverage our collective resources — that will be different. We’re not satisfied with incremental decline. We’re not content with excuses. We’re not willing to wait for the “perfect moment.” We take action, we persist, we measure, and we build — because we know Portland is worth it."