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Podcast: News For Reasonable People
Episode: Downtown Portland’s Downfall: Why Businesses Are Leaving in 2025
Description: Downtown Portland is facing one of its toughest chapters yet. Once a thriving hub of business, culture, and community, the city’s core is now struggling with record-high office vacancies, empty storefronts, and ongoing public safety concerns.In this video, we take a hard look at what’s driving the decline — from remote work and rising taxes to safety issues and shifting urban priorities. Can Portland recover, or is this the new normal for downtown life?📉 Topics Covered:– Office vacancy rates and business closures– Safety and homelessness challenges– City policies and leadership response– What residents and small businesses are saying