I have visited Portland several times. Every time I go I am thrilled to walk around the city. I always wander the park blocks with the statuary and BIG trees. I enjoy the whole city block that was buildings years ago and was re-done as a plaza and amphitheater for people watching and performing. There are small things that fascinate, like the poetry and sayings in the bricks of the sidewalks. There is a performing art center on the south end of Broadway which is inviting with large window walls (unlike Olympia's with its formidable concrete walls - to keep the high priced entertainment away from the unwashed masses?) with a menu of affordable evening theater and matinee puppet theater performances.
For all the times I have been to Portland, I have never wanted to drive and park. I park in outlying areas (like Lloyd Center on the eastside), or I take Amtrak into the heart of the city. The MAX, trollies, buses and my two feet get me anywhere and everywhere I want to go.
Olympia can't hope to compete. Portland is 5 times as big, physically, which makes the scale of things so much bigger. I love looking up at a 5-story tall sculpture of Poseidon three stories off the ground. I love taking the elevator to the top of the tallest building and looking out the window at Mt. Hood (only if you ask nicely). If Olympia had a city block amphitheater it wouldn't be in downtown, it would be downtown - if you get my drift.
And I like Olympia with the "potential" for becoming a people friendly city, if only we can figure out how to manage (or hide) all the damn cars.
Such a small scale city to be consumed by automobile traffic. I don't feel the expansiveness of Portland. I feel the claustrophobia of Olympa.
How about another city park near the old City Hall? How about expanding the urban center further east, even up to Ralph's? How about a trolley from the Farmer's Market to West Bay park on tracks? How about street performers, and not WA State Patrol, in Sylvester Park? Come on, this is a chance to enter and win. I wonder if the Parking & Business Improvement Area (PBIA) would donate something for those willing to play.