The Hosford-Abernethy and Brooklyn neighborhoods have a long-standing history of hosting and supporting various service projects serving the wider Portland community. We've worked closely with the city for over two years on the Clinton Triangle Alternative Shelter Site. We have added the Avalon Shelter, and we are looking forward to supporting the city with the new, larger drug deflection and treatment center in the coming year. While we remain committed to accommodating vital community services, the proposed move of the Bottle Drop currently under the Morrison Bridge to SE Brooklyn Street is an addition to our neighborhoods we cannot support. 

The People’s Depot Bottle Drop plays an important role for canners who rely on recycling income. However, concentrating canners from a 3-3.5-mile radius to a single site here would likely create unintended harm — both for the individuals it serves and for the surrounding neighborhood.

The selected location is not well suited for this type of business. While the building is zoned Commercial/Industrial (EG1), it is very close to residential and public facing commercial areas that are not appropriate to accommodate the inherent issues that bottle drops attract. The problems associated with bottle drop centers have been well documented in the local media. These problems include but are not limited to; loitering, crime, drug use and dealing, trash, needles, aggressive acts, and ultimately a decrease in business for nearby businesses. We request that a location be found for this Bottle Drop that is strictly Industrial and multiple blocks from residences or public facing businesses.  

The bus stop directly outside the front door of the proposed site is often used by students and is a very active stop for the community. There are challenges in this area already with panhandlers and drug use. Adding a bottle drop will likely increase these issues and make the stop less safe.

We understand the goal is to find a more suitable location which provides indoor facilities and more space to expand current operations. There is a needed focus on safety and ease of access for the canners. The proposed location is complicated by busy multi-lane streets, a highway (US 26/Powell Blvd), and an active railway with frequent blockages and documented deaths from train/MAX encounters. The safety of the canners will not be improved and is likely to worsen. Locating The People's Depot in a more industrial-focused part of Portland would more appropriately meet their objectives while lessening the impact of such a facility on neighbors and nearby businesses.

We urge GroundScore, OBRC, the NW Grocer Association, the OLCC, and all of our Elected Officials to work with the community to help identify a more appropriate industrial area that supports the needs of canners and The People's Depot Bottle Drop while protecting nearby businesses and neighbors. 

Please join us in supporting the relocation of the Bottle Drop to a focused industrial area for the benefit of all involved. Sign the petition to make a positive change for our neighborhoods, the canners, and greater community! (Donations help amplify this petition and others on Change.org and do not come specifically to me or this cause)