Economic forecasts don’t usually grab regular folks’ attention, but the phrase “urban doom loop” that’s dominating news headlines lately is hard to ignore.
When I heard it, like many Portlanders, I raised my eyebrows. In spite of persistent challenges facing our city, I’ve noticed a budding optimism around Portland recently.
My own experience has made me pretty attuned to Portland’s self-perception. I first visited in 2014, leaving home in New Orleans to attend a conference for…