A NEW WAY TO SEE PDX
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A NEW WAY TO SEE PDX *
Celebrating the people and projects bringing Portland back to life.
Perception Matters.
Lifeless Storefronts
Nearly 1/3 of Portland’s commercial spaces are empty. Vacant windows don’t just reflect decline, they hide the good that’s already happening.
Colorful Urban Art
We were inspired by cities that use art and community pride to shift public perception, even without major policy change.
Sharing the Love
We Love NYC reminded us: when people show up for their city, everything changes. Portland needs its own platform for visible action, in real time!
From Vacant to Vibrant
Flipping the
Narrative
One Window
at a Time
I See PDX turns blank windows into billboards for good deeds. Through QR code art posters and real-world activations, we’re amplifying the people and organizations moving Portland forward.
Retail spaces are more likely to be filled when the community around them feels alive, and seen.
The Map of Good
See the Change
Around You
Scan an I See PDX QR code and uncover what’s already happening around you - people helping, spaces improving, art inspiring. Each pin on the Map of Good links to a local project, initiative, or organization worth celebrating.
But I See PDX is more than posters, it’s a platform in progress.
We’re building a mobile app that brings the Map of Good to life. Soon, every QR code will unlock interactive stories of impact, creativity, and community, hidden behind Portland’s empty storefronts. What once felt like decline becomes a walking tour of hope, with each vacant window transformed into a portal of possibility.
The posters themselves are community-made, designed by local artists, creative studios, and even schoolkids, so each story feels uniquely Portland.
This isn’t just about filling space. It’s about restoring belief.
Pop-up / June ‘25
Ocho
On Taylor St.
Ocho is more than a popup, it’s our first real-world portal into what’s already good in Portland.
On a quiet downtown block, we’ve partnered with Taylor Street Kitchen to create a late-night bistro that feels safe, welcoming, and alive, proof that revitalization doesn’t have to wait. It just needs visibility.
From curated music and affordable food to sidewalk seating and secure parking, this space makes it easier to see the change that’s already happening. Because before people return to Portland, they need to see it differently.
Come hungry. Leave hopeful.
Nominate a Change-Maker
Help us build the Map of Good.
We’re gathering a database of individuals, businesses, and organizations that are making Portland better, block by block. From artists to non-profits, clubs to community groups, we want to highlight those who are helping move the city forward.
Know someone who belongs on the map? Fill out the form and help others see Portland in a new way. (All nominations will be reviewed before inclusion.)