Business owners along Northeast Fremont Street are trying to decide whether they want the commercial strip to be more like Multnomah Village or Northeast Alberta Street.
In other words, should it remain a neighborhood hub, with a grocery, hardware store, restaurants and businesses that cater to the surrounding residents? Or should it aspire to become a hip destination, drawing shoppers and diners from afar?
The answer not only has implications for the businesses along the street, but the residents who live within a block or two of Fremont Street. Many homeowners say they moved in knowing what to expect and appreciate a thriving business district within walking distance. But others say minor annoyances have become major headaches, with visitors blocking driveways and worse.
The Beaumont Business Association, which represents about 70 businesses along Fremont, has a new president. Dan K. Johnson of Pride Financial Partners has ambitious plans. He wants to increase membership to at least 100 businesses and might extend the association to other portions of Fremont. He wants to raise the association dues from $55 annually to $99. He wants to launch a new website. In addition to Fremont Fest in the summer and Festival of Lights in the winter, he wants to add a spring event next year.
And a business plan that Johnson drafted lists two opportunities that could mean big changes for the neighborhood. One is a monthly event, Second Fridays, which brings to mind the Pearl District’s First Thursday and Alberta’s Last Thursday. The other is becoming recognized as a destination for visitors from around the region.
“My goal as president is to brand the neighborhood,” Johnson said. “We have a lot of opportunity here.”
But at a recent business association meeting, some of Johnson’s plans, including the increase in membership fees, were met with skepticism. The consensus seemed to be that Fremont will not be the next Northwest 23rd Avenue or Hawthorne Boulevard and marketing efforts should refocus on locals.
“This is a neighborhood business district,” said Deborah Field of Paperjam Press. “Who is the person we’re trying to reach? Are we really getting our neighborhood to come here?”
Johnson agrees that, for now, the association should focus on surrounding residents, in keeping with the city’s goal of “20-minute neighborhoods.”
Most homeowners who live within a block of Fremont seem to appreciate the proximity of businesses.
“We love all the activity that’s there all the time,” said Gary Green, who lives on 44th Avenue a half-block north of Fremont. “I think it’s good for the neighborhood.”
Ryan Harshburger, who has lived on 43rd Avenue since 2007, said street parking can be an issue, but it’s a small price to pay for a walkable neighborhood.
“We have a really good relationship with all the owners,” Harshburger said. “We were just realistic when we moved in.”
But another 15-year resident on 46th Avenue who asked to remain anonymous, said he liked the neighborhood better before Fremont Commons and other new development arose along Fremont. Lately, parked cars block driveways, traffic accidents have increased and he’s seen some unsavory activities.
“For me, it doesn’t really work,” he said. “I think it was more humble before.”
If the street becomes a destination like Mississippi Avenue or Alberta Street, that will be the last straw.
“We’re in trouble then,” he said. “I will move.”
Johnson hopes to head off some of those issues with a new community relations committee. He also suggests stronger partnerships with police and parking enforcement.
Johnson, who also lives in the neighborhood, said the Fremont business strip historically bridged the Wilshire neighborhood to the north and the Beaumont neighborhood to the south. Today, he sees a growing division between residents and business owners.
“We’re excited about bridging that gap,” he said. Johnson, who is a former board member of the Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Association, said he wants a portion of the business association dues to go to the neighborhood association, hopefully for crime prevention efforts.
Opportunities for business growth are limited. Johnson said there are only a few vacancies on the street. There are several properties that could be redeveloped from houses into commercial spaces. Whatever comes, Johnson’s vision for the street includes no national chains.
Johnson said the business environment remains strong, despite the recent closings of Soluna Grill and Doc George’s restaurants. The closures of those restaurants were particular to the owners and operators, he said. Other proprietors quickly jumped in to lease those spaces, including Grand Central Bakery’s plan for a café in the former Soluna space. Several people point to the success of Fire on the Mountain to the east of the neighborhood at 57th Avenue.
Karen Woodbury, who lives on 47th Avenue a half-block south of Fremont and owns a restaurant on Alberta Street, is among those who said she struggles with the traffic issues associated with the businesses. She wants to live close to businesses, but the right kind of business. Before the Grand Central plans became public, she said she wanted a “cool, hip anchor restaurant” in the space that Soluna vacated. She misses Fife, the first restaurant there.
“Fremont, for whatever reason, is not attracting up-and-coming or cutting edge businesses or restaurants,” Woodbury said.