Bend City Council members early this month shied away from limiting downtown events, a move that downtown business owners have sought in order to lessen impacts they say result from festivals and parades—including trash, noise and decreased sales. But at a Sept. 4 City Council meeting, councilors agreed to form a subcommittee to review the […]
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Posted inOpinion
Panhandling:
Another website won’t solve the issues behind homelessness in our community
Another website won’t solve the issues behind homelessness in our community For last week’s story, “Spare Some Change,” we sent reporter Chris Miller out to talk to the panhandlers who some say are causing problems in downtown Bend. Hearing from the population in question was an important facet of the story, we thought. It took […]
Posted inNews
Spare Some Change?
Some business owners say panhandlers are wrecking the vibe. Here’s what downtown leaders are doing about it
Let’s face it, Bend isn’t a sleepy logging, skiing, biking…—you get the point—town anymore. It’s becoming a city, and cities have issues, such as people sleeping on the streets or in alleyways or using the alleys as a toilet. And the oft most-hated thing for people walking down the sidewalk on their way to dinner […]
Posted inNews
Problems on the Plaza
Bend’s downtown is a gathering place for the city—but business owners, officials and loitering youth all differ on how the area should be used
In 2010, the historic Rademacher House—home to Bend’s first mayor—was the site of Arts Central’s educational programming. That year, the organization opted to close down classes in the space, after “a vile act was committed in full view on the porch.” Inside, a group of young children were gathered for an arts class when the […]
Posted inNews
Downtown Bend Business Association welcomes Albany’s Rod Porsche as new director
Last May, we talked to Chuck Arnold about his tenure as executive director of the Downtown Bend Business Association and his plans for the future. Today, the DBBA has officially announced Arnold’s replacement: former director of the Albany Downtown Association, Rod Porsche. “I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Downtown Bend Business Association and look […]
Posted inNews
Leading by Example
Downtown Association’s Chuck Arnold leaves a legacy
Walking down Franklin Avenue toward Drake Park, Chuck Arnold stops mid-stroll to pick up a scrap of paper littering the sidewalk. Affable, with an easy smile and a good-naturedly goofy sense of humor, Arnold has spent much of his nine years as executive director of the Downtown Bend Business Association tending to these easily forgotten […]