Two Virginia-based burger chains are interested in opening locations in Downtown Portland, but are facing opposition from city residents and officials.
Having more fast-food stores open in the Downtown area may be a mixed bag, having both benefits and downfalls. Stacy Mitchell, a Portland-based researcher, believes the city of Portland derives its strength from the independent businesses it has, and that opening larger chain-stores could jeopardize Portland's unique character. Tim Soley, the building manager of the proposed location for the burger chain, believes that the Downtown area will see more foot traffic as a result of the additions, which will boost other businesses in the area as well.
"'If Portland ends up with a mix of chains downtown like what you find at the mall, why would you go to the trouble of coming downtown?' [Mitchell] said."
FULL STORY: Food-service transitions: Chain restaurants on the way in

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
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Custer County Colorado
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