Revitalize Portland Coalition: Welcome to 2026 Message from President Jose Cienfuegos

Welcome to 2026, Portland!

As we enter 2026, it’s worth saying clearly: Portland made real progress in 2025. Not “problem solved” progress — but meaningful movement in the right direction, and that matters.

Downtown activity is trending up. Travel Portland reports that downtown foot traffic increased roughly 5.6% from January through August 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, reaching its highest level since the pandemic. Public safety data also showed improvement, with a 30% reduction in shooting incidents, the lowest level in six years, and shooting-related homicides down year-over-year. These are not abstract wins — they translate into safer streets and growing confidence in our shared spaces.

Portland also reaffirmed its place as a destination city, particularly when it comes to food and culture. In 2025, Portland was named the best U.S. city for vegetarians and vegans, and Oregon talent earned national recognition at the James Beard Awards, including JinJu Patisserie winning Outstanding Bakery and Timothy Wastell of Antica Terra winning Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific. New restaurants and hospitality concepts continued to open throughout the city — a clear vote of confidence in Portland’s future.

At the same time, we still have work to do. Downtown remains below pre-pandemic activity. Homelessness continues to impact quality of life. Public safety perceptions lag reality in some areas. And too often, high taxes, regulatory complexity, and permitting delays make it harder than it should be to live, work, and do business here.

That’s where the Revitalize Portland Coalition (RPC) is focused in 2026:

• Supporting safer streets and accountability

• Advocating for homelessness solutions that work

• Promoting a clean, welcoming public realm

• Improving the business environment and permitting systems

• Engaging constructively on Portland’s effective tax rate

• Fixing Preschool for All — not abandoning it — so the program functions as intended while reducing unnecessary strain on workers and small businesses

RPC believes Portland can fund essential services and remain competitive. These goals are not in conflict.

As we move into 2026, RPC is ready to do the work — with your help. We have events and programs planned this year to bring stakeholders together and turn momentum into measurable results.

Let’s make 2026 a year of progress — and outcomes.