GOOD ideas: Doug, Andy, & Devin

Sup gang,

Here’s a few ideas us three dudes have been tossing around:

  ☞ OLD TOWN CHINA TOWN

The old town/Chinatown disctrict of Portland is in serious danger of losing all of its culture and charm and rapidly becoming just another Portland neighborhood (in this case, more stale Pearl District flash-in-the-pan yuppy elitist rich white liberal yadda yadda). What can we do to save this historic hub of Portland before it becomes a cultureless zone just like Lair Hill and North Williams have been gentrified in the past few decades? How can we do this as a collective of mostly caucasians, without seeming offensive at the same time?

A few ideas we’ve come up with are seasonal block parties, going all out with Chinese dragons in the street. Hanging strings of Chinese lanterns across 5th street, the spine of the area. Instead of pedicabs, why not actual rickshaws? The boundary street signs on Burnside and Broadway could feature some Mandarin script to give you a better idea of the hood you’re about to enter.

Then there is the whole issue of the disgusting night life that has taken over the area, all catering to your average lowest common denominator citizen. Vandalsiam and drug-related crimes are up in the area largely due in part to the transformation this neighborhood takes during the evening hours. How can we keep this scene alive going for those who “depend” on it (businesses and alcoholics), but also make it more family-friendly so others can visit the neighborhood in those hours?

☞ BUS STOPS

Portland rains a lot. We all know that. Why is it, then, that at least 50% of Trimet’s bus stops are unsheltered, and additionally offer little to NO seating? And even the stops that are sheltered are unsightly and uncomfortable to sit on. How can we re-approach this situation to make waiting for the bus less daunting?

☞ NIGHT LIFE

The night life in Portland is largely centered around the consumption of alcohol. What are there for sober people and underage kids to do? Can we devise a strategy to get people who cannot, do not, or wish to not partake in this lifestyle?

☞PORTLAND STATE

PSU is a great school. We all loave it. But as it is mostly a commuter school, sometimes us students feel a bit left out (this DOES NOT include the art and/or Graphic Design department, FYI) of the entire going-ons of the school. What sort of campaign can we devise to give this school a greater sense of community, making all students feel in the loop and more participatory in extracurricular activities?

☞REUSABLE BAGS

Reusable grocery bags are seemingly everywhere. But they should be obviously everywhere. There are still discarded plastic and paper bags lining the gutters all over town. How can we raise awareness and motivate everybody in the city to start using reusable bags for ALL types of shopping?