PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland leaders want to capitalize on the city’s “often-overlooked” music economy.
With independent performance venues that have hosted household names before they rose to fame, and hallmarks like the Pacific Northwest’s oldest record store, the Rose City has attracted plenty of music fanatics. But local advocates of the commercial industry are arguing it could use further support from public officials.
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“Portland needs a unifying inspiring vision for what the future of Portland is — one that brings economic development, public safety, community and our identity into focus,” Portland City Councilor Jamie Dunphy told fellow councilors on Tuesday. “For me, the obvious idea is the music industry. Portland’s music industry punches well above its weight.”
Dunphy, who noted his previous experience as a touring artist in his 20s, has been a staunch advocate for the arts scene long before he took office in January. Earlier this year, he led city leaders in amending a noise code that hindered musicians. More recently, during the latest Arts and Culture Committee meeting, he led a presentation on Portland’s independent music landscape…