2025: PDNA Year in Review
Hello Neighbors and Friends,
As we look back on 2025, the word that defined our journey is ‘Resilience.' For the Pearl District, 2025 was about defining our identity and deciding that we are the ones who will shape our future. We moved from being a collection of high-rises and storefronts to becoming a unified voice that actively shapes the neighborhood we call home.
We don’t just occupy these blocks – we care for them. We don’t just walk these streets-we protect their future. Tonight, we can celebrate the fact that while the world around us shifted, the Pearl District stood its ground.
"Our commitment to the district was visible every single day. We didn't just wait for the city; we took charge. Our Parks Committee worked to insure our 4 world class parks stay that way and that The Fields Park be restored even better than before so it can serve as center piece and continue to host our numerous annual festivals and events. On Earth Day, we saw a massive outpouring of local support, and throughout the year, our 6-day-a-week Clean Team worked tirelessly on trash and litter removal, ensuring our sidewalks remained welcoming for everyone.
And because our streets were clean and cared for, our culture could thrive. We saw the annual return of Art in the Pearl, the 25th year of First Thursday, and the sounds of the Summer Free for All Jazz concert filling our Jamison Square. We ended the year on a high note, coming together for our Holiday Tree Lighting and the Holiday Bazaar, reminding us that this neighborhood is, at its core, a community of friends."
The Challenge:
"However, 2025 also brought challenges that were forced upon us. The decision regarding the overnight emergency homeless shelter was a moment of deep frustration. It felt like a burden placed on our shoulders without our input.
But look at what happened next. That challenge didn’t break us—it galvanized us. This community rallied with a level of energy and focus we haven't seen in years. We packed meetings, we demanded accountability, and we stood together. We proved that we are not a neighborhood that things 'happen to'—we are a neighborhood that takes charge. We built a 'civic muscle' through that struggle that is now stronger than ever, and we are going to need that strength as we move forward."
The Economic Resurgence:
"The results of our energy are undeniable. In 2025 alone, we welcomed 25 new businesses to the Pearl. Think about that—in a time when many neighborhoods are struggling, 25 new entrepreneurs chose us.
We are home to icons like Powell’s Books, global leaders like Keen and On Footwear, and culinary staples like Andina. We are the tech hub for companies like Ampere Computing, and we boast, without question, the best collection of home furnishing and design stores in the State.
This is our ecosystem.
These are our partners. We need to show them off, be fiercely proud of them, and do everything in our power to help them thrive.
"As we step into 2026, we are taking this renewed energy and turning it into a blueprint for a better neighborhood. We are done being reactive. We are returning to being the neighborhood that takes charge of making positive things happen.
We can be the shining example of what is good and unique about both the Pearl and the City of Portland.
We have the talent, the businesses, and—most importantly—the people to make this the most vibrant urban center in the country.
Let’s carry this momentum forward. Let’s be proud of what we’ve built, and let’s be even more ambitious about what we will do next. It has been an incredible 2025. Now, let’s get to work on 2026."
- Bruce Studer, PDNA President
