You can get the
Oregon Historical Society's study for a nominal fee from
Commissioner Charlie Hales' office (823-3005).
Note to Portland
Public Market project people: Um, it might be a good idea
to come up with a name that hasn't already been associated
with a humongous flop. It's kinda like christening your
boat the Titanic.
For those who
would like to help make history, contact Public Market project
coordinator Marcy McInelly (827-4155 or urbswrks@teleport.com).
There's a need for fund-raising and hell-raising
GENTLE READERS:
Last week Miss Dish let you in on the fact that Charlie
Hales' office is helping the movement to get a full-time,
all-weather, all-season farmers market off the ground (apples
and salsa and sausage: oh my!). An economic study is under
way, and if things point in the right direction, a handy-dandy
Portland Public Market might be built right by you.
Now, you know that old saying about history cloning itself?
If you read a report created by the folks at the Oregon
Historical Society, you'll see there have been more than
a few screw-ups in the attempt to create a public shopping
center with staying power. To wit:
* The first public market was a private venture started
by Captain Alexander P. Ankeny, an all-around player in
the city, who cut the ribbon on Ankeny's New Market and
Theater in 1868. The market housed 28 food retailers
and was a success until clientele withered away and it closed
in 1885. Cause of death: The downtown residential area
expanded and moved past the park blocks, taking market customers
with it.
* At the turn of the century, a market operated by the
Italian Ranchers and Gardeners Association was set up along
the Willamette. The market later moved to a square block
bounded by Southeast Main, Madison, 3rd and Union streets
and was known as the Eastside Italian Market. After
a strong showing during the 1910s and 1920s, it became dust.
Cause of death: The farmers had plots around Ladd's Addition.
When that area was redeveloped, the growers had to move
to outlying neighborhoods.
* In 1914, a municipally charged movement for a public
market sprouted the Carroll Public Market on Southwest
Yamhill Street. Its immediate success so transformed downtown
commerce that The Man felt compelled to step in. Under the
city's iron fist, the downtown market bloomed to take over
six blocks. But not all was groovy: The streets were plugged
with traffic, retail grocers complained about the competition,
and market sellers griped about the many market ordinances.
Cause of death: The City Council closed down the
joint because of overcrowding, giving the green marketeers
five years to find another spot. People were pissed, and
much debate was flung about.
* In 1933, the Carroll's city-approved successor, the first
Portland Public Market, was born in a hyper-modern,
super-expensive building set on Southwest Front Street between
the Hawthorne and Morrison bridges. A parking lot for autos
sat on top. But alas, for all its bells and whistles, it
never caught on. Cause of death: The managers
ignored the original market's populist politics, fueling
resentment lingering since the Carroll Market controversy.
The new location was also out of the way for shoppers both
downtown and in the new burgeoning suburbs.
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