Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....nope. I can't say that I like it.

This proposed redesign for the main entrance of Powell's Books is currently in the planning stages and looks, let's be honest here, very Pearl District-y.

It makes sense that Portland's premiere "retail attraction" wants a facelift that reflects its surroundings. Nonetheless, when you toss out the admittedly interesting art cube concept, this facade wouldn't look out of place on the side of a Borders Bookstore in midtown Manhattan. It's cold, sterile and very blase, in a corporate chain sort of way. The current entrance of Powell's reflects Portland's funky charm, or what's left of it anyway. It's a shame that the designers couldn't have drawn up something more classic. Or, to put it another way, grubbier.

Plus, that cube will waste a lot of potential retail space that might be better filled with, you know, books instead of what is sure to become weather-beaten modern art. If Portlanders want that, there's that odd sculpture across the street. You know, the one local grade schoolers refer to as "the Bouncy Pee-Pee."

Labels: gentrification

There are other places in downtown Portland where you can find post-last call six packs, emergency Slim Jims and other mini mart-type items but none of them were as conveniently-located or iconically sleazy as the Peterson's on SW Morrison. Now it's slated for the chopping block. Thanks for nothing, Portland Business Alliance. You too, bow tie shop who's name shall remain unmentioned that I will never, ever set foot in.

Labels: downtown, gentrification